The notion that the RAF and RN are the only people who understand aviation battle space (as touted by some on this forum) is a condescending nonsense
Cryptkeeper - I absolutely agree. My take is that the problem the other services may have - particularly Army - is a lack of flying background at the very highest levels.
So when - ineveitably - fiscal push comes to financial shove post Afghan drawdown, an Admiral will usually favour something that floats (or sinks!) over something that flies, while a General may tend to favour something on the ground over something in the air when scarce resources are being allocated.
Until recently, we light blue had a comparable problem, in that something fast, noisy and pointed would always win over slow, noisy and rotary! With our current very senior management, that may of course change.
We will soon see ..........