Test team deploys to expand UH-1Y's wind envelope...Why wasn't this done at introduction of the helicopter?

via DCMilitary.com

“It all got started when a deployed fleet pilot, Maj. “Rudy” Neagle, reached out directly to the HX-21 pilots asking if they could help expand the UH-1Y wind envelope,” said Kristen Finnegan, the test team’s lead engineer.

The flight envelope refers to the conditions in which an aircraft can safely operate. The UH-1Y helicopters had been operating within the restrictive generic wind envelope for six-to-seven years.

As Neagle—the aviation combat element LPD detachment officer in charge (OIC) from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)—began researching the limited flight envelope, he was looking for the lessons learned from other pilots who had faced similar challenges.

“It had not occurred to me to conduct testing on Mesa Verde while deployed,” he said. “I was looking for information to mitigate risk while flying outside the wind envelope.”

Story here. 

I know my rep.  Another day another chance for SNAFU! Blog to beat up on Marine Air.

That ain't happening here.

Quite honestly I think Major Neagle was on the ball and damn near heroic with his actions not to go with the status quo.  I think HX-21 personnel were cut from the same cloth. To conduct flight testing while a unit is deployed?  They broke every rule and for the right reasons.

What has me scratching my head is this passage...

 The UH-1Y helicopters had been operating within the restrictive generic wind envelope for six-to-seven years.

From its inception the UH-1Y was built as a SUBSTANTIAL improvement over the UH-1N.  It's faster, lifts more, flies farther and faster...It's just better in all areas.  So why did they just roll with the "restrictive generic wind envelope"?  I'm not bashing Marine Air or the personnel that work there.  I am questioning leadership! 

Am I wrong or does this seem like a no-brainer?