Originally Posted by Wiley
... (even Reserve units, partially manned by Reservists, could operate them) ...
Wiley the RAAF appears to have a healthier attitude about reservists than the Army has
The idealised situation you have described (I think it has much merit, for what it's worth) would not work in the Army without a humungous attitudinal adjustment that I think is beyond many of the Army's leadership. If the RAAF operated the fleet I suspect the use of reservists would be tolerated, even encouraged. Army? Not a chance.
Army went into Senate Estimates, for example, and without even a smirk told them that armoured vehicles were beyond the capabilities of mere reservists, despite decades of proof to the contrary, and despite plenty of examples in the forces of our allies.
Having said all that - even 'enlightened' Ronnie would baulk at employing any sort of reservists à la the US Air National Guard, ie genuine part timers as opposed to ex full timers. That would apply no matter how simple and cheap the platform or system.