Drag,
You do have to compare the whole life costs across all Lines of Development. I don't think we had the tools for cost capture back then. I think the same is the case today.
Quite correct, but an integrated suite of 'tools', together with the specialist knowledge to use them, is available now. UK MoD, US DoD, use them, and other applications that are not publicly advertised, and have been doing so for a number of years.