It would be interesting to know where the availability stats were sourced from. FWIW, Av Week last month quoted the overall MRH90 (i.e. Navy and Army) availability rate as being
“just under 70%,” though this was an Airbus number, not an ADF metric.
Re: buying off-the-shelf proven kit being the way to go, the Australian National Audit Office belatedly agrees with TBM. From the latest
2015-16 Major Projects Report (issued in February), here’s the commentary on the MRH90’s OTS status:
The MRH Program was incorrectly viewed as a Military off-the-Shelf (MOTS) acquisition. Lessons associated with intended MOTS procurements include: that it is essential that the maturity of any offered product be clearly assessed and understood; and that elements of a chosen off-the-shelf solution may not meet the user requirement.
And the same report’s lesson’s learned conclusion on the MH-60R’s MOTS status:
By procuring MOTS equipment, adhering to the project’s clearly defined scope as detailed by government at Second Pass, and effectively using the Program Management Steering Group to prevent potential scope creep, the project has been able to meet or exceed its financial and schedule obligations as detailed within the project’s Materiel Acquisition Agreement.
I/C