NSC IS a political decision - the only reason that the business case has been so "well tested" is because the thing has been dragging on for years.
Due to the strength of feeling at MACC its about time they re-thought where MACC should go. I say stick it into Swanwick on a NODE (existing type kit) or a SATCA system. Cheap alternative.
Only a fool would even consider wasting millions on plugging MACC into the NERC FDP system.
People first!