Althenick
A perfectly reasonable comparison ..as the HC3 was based largely on the then available cockpit and systems when ordered in 95. That happened to be the RN Mk1 standard. There are a few differences, including mission systems, communications and If you look carefully, changed display units for map and FLIR in the Hc3
Bear in mind too that the 8 Mk3as inherited the New LCD based cockpit...so that is significantly differrent.
Furthermore, the RN (MCSP)MK2 is on the threshold of service entry with attendant simulator changes, and of course that too has a new LCD based cockpit system with new misson system/ computers. Will any Mk3 SLEP copy this?
Hence there will be several significant "fleet within fleet" issues, all if which
will potentially affect any transition programme, depending on such things as who is doings what with the simulators, conversion programmes of both services, airframe availability and of course the timings of all such events.
Although I suspect moving the Mk3 sim is unlikely, sometimes such events can prove the most cost effective in the full scheme of things, despite the apparent hassle up front.
Whatever the final decision in these matters, I just hope it remains consistent, because it seems to me there are quite a few variables that need resolving...and once the plan is sorted, any small change will only create delay
and add more expense.