I think you're right on this. I think there will be a platform level IFC to use the iPad in the aircraft for limited tactical use, but will never authorize it for primary navigation. Never. The iPad is not ruggedized to a mil spec or standard. It has not been tested for GPS integrity.
As a pilot, I think they're a cool tool to use for certain things.
As an engineering nerd up here in Pax, they don't pass the muster with complete aircraft integration. There are standards for a reason and thought it may seem sometimes that stuff moves slowly through the NAVAIR engineering process and acquisition processes up here, you should feel confident as aircrew that the USN/USMC goes to the lengths it does to give you a safe product. Don't go pissing about your PMA bumbling around trying to get you a usable product. Bring up your concerns to your TMS requirements officer to direct NAVAIR to develop/test/deliver a product that is sufficiently funded throughout it's lifecycle. NAVAIR fulfills requirements. Doesn't make them.
On a final note from my soap stand, those that are using the iPads in the aircraft: Please make sure you read the IFC for your platform carefully. It's not "iPads for everyone for whatever you want." Act outside of the clearance, you're on your own.
BI
I wonder how much these things could save the Navy by eliminating the production cost of pubs sent out to squadrons every cycle. If you've ever been responsible for ordering pubs for the squadron, you know the cost is astounding and most of it is waste in the first place (how often do I need a Dakota low plate? Never.) You could replace all of our paper plates and such with a iPad and cut the waste. If you're worried about failure, then require a back-up iPad for the aircraft. If you still don't like it, then require a paper copy of the approaches into your planned field, then the rest is electronic. If you're still worried about it, then you'd better go put some tinfoil on your head because you're paranoid as hell.
I don't ever see the need to use the iPad for navigation in the 18. The tactical applications though make this thing worth every penny. We don't fly in country anymore with a phone book. So being able to roll over to a different target set and have imagery and such for wherever I am is indispensable. GPS would be a nice to have, but in order to meet the requirements, the WiFi and internets capabilities will have to be removed.
As far as your soap box goes, we do use the proper channels and they aren't so efficient. It takes a full year basically just to get an idea to the table. And then that gets argued and balanced vs the monies available. I think we are going to start falling behind with technology simply because it takes us so long to keep up. The fact that I don't use some sort of beefed-up USB for data transfer is mind boggling. Most Hornet/Super Hornet cards aren't anywhere close to a full GB of memory. There are 256 GB thumb drives now. There are other groups of Navy dudes who do their acquisition process way differently. They say "dude, I think I need X." Then they go to whoever and say "make me X." Then they get X and try it out in the field. Then they kill lots of bad guys with X. And their turnaround time is nothing. Now I know the Hornet community can't be that willy nilly about things, but I think we could move a little closer that way.