This string - fascinating. I find the load requirements and the workload requirements of PAS difficult to understand - they appear to be asking the machine to do so many things. But perhaps that's because the darned thing costs so much to run, they have to find other areas to use budget - no doubt the "bomb disposal" requirement comes from a different budget to "chasing Welsh motorists doing 33.3mph in a 30mph limit."
I've heard that there are talks going on with regard to tri-service helicopters - police, fire, ambulance all under one rotor. No doubt the unions will slow down this idea.
I've often wondered why the fire service hasn't opted for a fire-fighting helicopter in urban locations - tall buildings etc. Something that can fire a foam bomb at a building has to be better than 3 engines with ladders & cranes that can't reach. (The London Fire Service can only reach as far as 10 stories........)
And think of the reduction in risk to manpower.