'Course, Bell originally claimed the V-22 would cost only 25-50% more than a 214ST!
Bell hopes to produce JVX for $5-6 million a copy, compared with $3.9 million for its Model 214ST transport helicopter.
I guess you have to name an acceptable price to get into the next phase of acceptance / funding.
As long as everyone has an interest in continuing and no firm commitments have to be made everyone is ok if further (public) money is spend.
The un-knowledgeable parliament/Senate / Congress needs to be neutralized until the point of no return.