The “jitter” of a Harrier descending with full nozzle braking must have been considerable, and yet it was given a try. I understand the laser in the Harrier range finder is pointed by the pilot stick inputs. via the HUD so didn’t have the benefit of an automatic lock/track system. I would have thought this was comparable or worse than that possible from ground designator system on a hovering platform, with an operator using it in a de facto CLOS mode.
The graze angle inherent to ground designation, ie which were successfully used, would be in singular degrees. Whilst I can understand it improves with increasing angle up to 45degs, it’s clearly very effective at any angles possible from a hovering platform.
I appreciate your reply, but the question was intended for a response from a person who was close to the actual operation in 82.