Archimedes,
Interesting though that the latest National Audit Office
Report, dated 4th December 2002, (See page 87) states that the gun has eliminated for a saving of £32 million.
Quote: "Provision of integration of new weapons and sensors not contained within original approval (includes Conventionally Armed Stand-Off Missile (CASOM), Advanced Anti-Armour Weapon (AAAW), Low Level Laser Guided Bomb (LLLGB), Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designator (TIALD)) (+£239m);
Deletion of requirements for gun (-£32m), 1500L fuel tank (-£16m) & CRV7 rocket (-£2m)"
Whether they are behind the drag curve or the decision to drop the gun has been reinstated I do not know.