Way too frigging time on my hands....

[Marek_Tucan]

I'd say it is a stretch claiming the Mk2 and 3 performed badly - AFAIK rather contrary - atleast the uparmored versions (all of deployed Mk3 and most of Mk2 in later stages) - the total losses were usually due to BIG IED's, not to ATGM's, and it seems many ATGM kills were crew members standing in opened hatches hit by shrapnel, not results of penetration. From what I've seen the NERA packages worked as they should.
As for the Merk as APC, it's more like the Mi-28 which, IIIRC, has a capability of carrying two people, inteded for rescuing shot down wingmen.