Not really sure of your point here Mike. This really is all what avionics development is all about; this sort of stuff is done all the time in aviation. I was merely pointing out the difficulties with the first generation digital technology found in Concorde (ie. the problems associated with obsolecence of components).
The point I was not making very well was that complete replacement of the control system is an approach that fully resolves issues of control system supportability with the potential for budgetary control and achieving progamme dates that does not exist with a piecemeal reactive approach, but that the real issues might be the interface with existing, retained systems and certification, particularly if the goal is to fly in the UK for 2012 as per #25 (this seems optimistic ... ) Currently many unknowns, not least the condition and performance of existing systems,