Surely with Litening III and 4 Paveway IVs (or a mixed load of Paveway IV and laser brimstome) and the TIEC upgrade the Tornado will be a pretty capable CAS aircraft?
I think the issue with the GR4 in Herrick (if it ever happens) is the lack of performance in the ML environment. It will be unable to fly above the envelope of even early gen MANPADS with a warload (currently x bomb, gun and x rockets) anywhere other than in Helmand.
Not that I don't want the GR4 to succeed out here, but I just don't believe the Tornado will be able to provide the same service to the guys on the ground as the GR9 currently does. I hope to be proved wrong!