Back on topic, it is nice to see that the occasional hardware fix is still acceptable. There's not always "an app for that!"
There are downsides to doing things in hardware vs software. Yet another part to maintain, inspect, stock, replace and otherwise keep track of over the life of the KC-46 system, which from all indications will be a LOOONNNGGG time. That's why they hoped to accomplish this in software, with the hardware as a fall back option. It was a good idea, but not all good ideas work out the way you hope.