The Air ISTAR Optimisation Study (AIOS) is looking to understand the most appropriate future air ISTAR mix. As part of its remit, the AIOS is looking at Multi-Mission Aircraft and the role they might play in intelligently brigading air ISTAR capability.
While I'm sure this study will be lampooned by many on this forum, this is the way capability development is conducted. Senior decision makers, who are
actually responsible for making decisions, as opposed to armchair generals and armchair air commodores, seek objective information on which to base their decisions. Now, that decision may well subsequently be subverted by political expediency, but they do try.
See
here for an interesting perspective on how the AIOS is being presented to the political elite.
Sun.