Herbie ,
From one of my previous ramblings:-
"Gents,
Having been involved with PW4 for a long while, it does depend on the platform as to how easy it is to integrate MIL-STD-1760 weapons. Harriers' integration did not use the full interface and was done fast and dirty. GR4 did use the recommended interface, and indeed got the weapon on in quick time, albeit not with a full release capability - I'm talking in terms of release sequencing and targeting..
The eternal problem has always been the tweaking of display software, allied with sytem platform computers to eke the most out of the weapon(s) deployed. The longterm stuff will get done in the background while UOR capability can be done quicker.
Large chunks of time/effort are spent examining weapon configurations that are suitable to be carried/released/jettisoned/operated with each other. Harrier stores management is/was a fairly groovy system in that it retained a mixed load capability second to none. Basically you can hang anything off it and the armament control computer wouldn't care. GR4 SMS is a bit more finicky and would have to be tested a lot more to generate a workable clearance.
Not being privy to Typhoons' workings (info was a news release - not tub-thumping), I can only imagine the super-computers involve in release and jettison of ordnance from a plane that is highly agile/unstable would involve a lot more work than throwing it on. For instance GR4 never needed the Flight Control System updated - even with 4 Storm Shadow slung under it. I would hazard that Typhoon does or the FCS is going to go potty with a new weapon/weight/drag on whatever pylon."
And:-
"To re-iterate for the ill-informed/un-initiated oh, and dear Sharkey:-
Typhoon has replaced Tornado F3 and Jaguar.
Primary role is Air Defence with secondary Air to Ground capability, currently PW2 and Litening 3 capable, along with a working 27mm cannon.
Paveway 4, Brimstone (dual and single mode),E/PW 3, and Storm Shadow are in development for future upgrades.
Harrier was trialled for Brimstone carriage but never fired it (contrary to some media reports that it was fired in AFG, it was a Tornado).
Harrier can carry one Storm Shadow but is un-balanced and requires a 540lb on the other pylon.
Tornado GR4 is due to be replaced by JSF/Lightning originally 2025, but now sooner.
GR4 currently is the only aircraft capable of the Deep Strike mission. Typhoon is scheduled to acheive this in 2018. Problem is the Flight Control System software has to be modified to each particular munition, as Typhoon is a computer-controlled unstable aircraft. This is safety-critical software and takes time to test and approve.
Sharkey Ward is silly. "
I fully agree Harrier could have received clearance for carriage, release and jettison of SS and Brimstone - it's just a question of who was willing to pay for it. I believe SS carriage was a bit tricky due to size constraints, and would have involved an airfrane mos with all its attendant costs and risks. Again, I'm sad to see Harrier go - a great plane and it's the politicos who did it, not the operators maintainers or developers.