BEagle
Dave *IS* low cost... compared with F-22! A mere snip at $100m vs $350m - let's buy loads!!!
Or not.
The broader point is that if it works, A400M will probably be very good: in around 2015. However, the UK desperately needs something to retire the K's and compliment the J fleet in days few - and a C-17/C-130J mix is about the only game in town - especially as we have both types in service already.
On the question of FRES. FRES Utility Vehicle (UV) was down-selected to the GD Piranha V last year before being cancelled this year (Well Done! £m lots wasted on that fiasco...).
Anyway, FRES UV has been replaced this year as FRES programme lead by the SV variant (Scout) that will replace CVR(T) in the reconnaissance role (until it's cancelled at the cost of £m lots, of course).
S41