emergov says: Most acquisition projects take about 3 years to get from concept definition to government decision, except where there is an urgent operational requirement.
3 years from concept definition to govt decision - Really, you know how long AIR 87 (ARH) went? It was more like 20 years wasn't it? From a cheap-and-cheerful Kiowa recce helo, through a crazy phase that also included a fixed-wing SAR surveillance platform and UGS, finally back on track to an armed reconn helo? And still over a 20 year period the procurement/DMO process got it wrong.