Grubber,
I have no doubt that what you say about the PRC etc is true. The bit about parking up covered cabs minus blades on the flight deck is utter hoop. The deck is busy enough with exercising bootnecks and flight ops without the hazards of more ac than necessary rotting away on the deck.
The new QE class lifts, if they can take fully spread chinook or Merlin are the answer. Chinook, a better solution than Merlin, as less are needed for the same capability. Therefore, less storage space in the hangar. Especially if lynx or AH are embarked too. Get rid of the 'O' boat. I agree with you, it's rubbish.
As for the complexities of flying Merlin versus SK, how do you know? I personally think that although it's a helicopter at the end of the day, the systems do represent a step change. It will take circa 100 hours before a typical crew feels themselves back into the comfort zone.
Whatever the decision, the answer is not Mk3 Merlin. It makes no financial or military sense........