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British Aerospace Harrier II
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Harrier GR5 / GR7 / GR9
An RAF Harrier GR9 over Afghanistan, 2008
Role
V/STOL strike aircraft
National origin
United Kingdom / United States
Manufacturer
British Aerospace / McDonnell Douglas
BAE Systems / Boeing
First flight
30 April 1985[1]
Introduction
December 1989[1]
Retired
March 2011
Status
Retired
Primary users
Royal Air Force (historical)
Royal Navy (historical)
Number built
143[2]
Developed from
Hawker Siddeley Harrier
McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II
The British Aerospace Harrier II is a second-generation vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) jet aircraft used previously by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and, between 2006 and 2010, the Royal Navy (RN). The aircraft was the latest development of the Harrier Jump Jet family, and was derived from the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II. Initial deliveries of the Harrier II were designated in service as Harrier GR5; subsequently upgraded airframes were redesignated accordingly as GR7 and GR9.
Under the Joint Force Harrier organisation, both the RAF and RN operated the Harrier II under the RAF's Air Command, including deployments on board the navy's Invincible class aircraft carriers. The Harrier II participated in numerous conflicts, making significant contributions in combat theatres such as Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The type's main function was as a platform for air interdiction and close air support missions; the Harrier II was also used for presence projection and reconnaissance duties. The Harrier II served alongside the Sea Harrier in Joint Force Harrier.
In December 2010, budgetary pressures led to the early retirement of all Harrier IIs from service, at which point it was the last of the Harrier derivatives remaining in British service. The decision to retire was controversial as there was no immediate fixed-wing replacement in its role or fixed-wing carrier-capable aircraft left in service; in the long term the Harrier II is to be replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
Contents
1 Design and development
1.1 Origins
1.2 Description and role
1.3 Further developments
2 Operational history
2.1 Combat duties
2.2 Rundown
3 Variants
4 Operators
5 Aircraft on display
6 Specifications (Harrier GR7)
7 See also
8 References
8.1 Notes
8.2 Citations
8.3 Bibliography
9 External links
Design and development[edit]
Main article: Harrier II development
Origins[edit]
Development of a much more powerful successor to the Harrier began in 1973 as a cooperative effort between McDonnell Douglas (MDD) in the US and Hawker Siddeley (in 1977, its aviation interests were nationalised to form part of British Aerospace) in the UK. First-generation Harriers were being introduced into Royal Air Force and United States Marine Corps; operational experience had highlighted demand for a more capable aircraft. The British government had only a minor requirement, for up to 60 Harriers at most and competing pressures on the defence budget left little room for frivolous expenditure such as the Advanced Harrier. A lack of government backing for developing the necessary engine of the new aircraft, the Pegasus 15, led Hawker to withdraw from this project in 1975.[3][4]
Due to US interest, work proceeded on the development of a less ambitious successor, a Harrier fitted with a larger wing and making use of composite materials in its construction. Two prototypes were built from existing aircraft and flew in 1978. The US government was content to continue if a major foreign buyer was found and Britain had a plan to improve the Harrier with a new, larger metal wing.[5][N 1] In 1980, the UK considered if the American program would meet their requirements – their opinion was that it required modification, thus the MDD wing design was altered to incorporate the British-designed leading-edge root extensions.[7] In 1982, the UK opted to become fully involved in the joint US–UK programme.[8] The US and UK agreement to proceed included a British contribution of US$280 million to cover development costs to meet their own requirements and to purchase at least 60 aircraft.[9]
The UK agreement included the involvement of British Aerospace (BAe) as a major subcontractor, manufacturing sections such as the rear fuselage for all customers of the AV-8B. The Harrier II was an Anglicised version of the AV-8B, British Aerospace producing the aircraft as the prime contractor, with McDonnell Douglas serving as a sub-contractor; final assembly work was performed at Dunsfold, England.[10] The first prototype flew in 1981, first BAe-built development GR5 flew for the first time on 30 April 1985 and the aircraft entered service in July 1987. The GR5 had many differences from the USMC AV-8B Harriers, such as avionics fit, armaments and equipment; the wing of the GR5 featured a stainless steel leading edge, giving it different flex characteristics from the AV-8B.[11] In December 1989, the first RAF squadron to be equipped with the Harrier II was declared operational.[12]
Description and role[edit]
RAF Harrier GR9 in flight, 2010
The Harrier II is an extensively modified version of the first generation Harrier GR1/GR3 series. The original aluminium alloy fuselage was replaced by a fuselage which makes extensive use of composites, providing significant weight reduction and increased payload or range. A new one-piece wing provides around 14 per cent more area and increased thickness. The wing and leading-edge root extensions allows for a 6,700-pound (3,035 kg) payload increase over a 1,000 ft (300 m) takeoff compared with the first generation Harriers.[13][14] The RAF's Harrier IIs feature an additional missile pylon in front of each wing landing gear, as well as strengthened leading edges on the wings in order to meet higher bird strike requirements.[15] Among the major differences with the American cousin, was the new ZEUS ECM system, also proposed for the USMC AV-8 (which retained, after an evaluation, the original ALQ-164). ZEUS was one of the main systems in the British design, being a modern and costly apparatus, with an estimated cost of $1.7 million per set.[16]
The Harrier II's cockpit has day and night operability and is equipped with head-up display (HUD), two head-down displays known as multi-purpose colour displays (MPCD), a digital moving map, an inertial navigation system (INS), and a hands-on-throttle-and-stick system (HOTAS).[17][18] Like the British Aerospace Sea Harrier, the Harrier II used an elevated bubble canopy to provide a significantly improved all-round view.[19] A combination of the new design of the control system and the greater lateral stability of the aircraft made the Harrier II fundamentally easier to fly than the first generation Harrier GR1/GR3 models.[20]
External video
Footage of Harrier II HUD during flight
Harrier GR9 flight demonstration
The RAF used Harriers in the ground attack and reconnaissance roles, so they relied on the short-range AIM-9 Sidewinder missile for air combat. The Sidewinder had proven effective for Royal Navy's Sea Harriers against Argentinian Mirages in the Falklands conflict; however, from 1993 the Sea Harrier FA2 could also carry the much longer-range AIM-120 AMRAAM, a radar-guided missile. The Sea Harrier had a radar since its introduction and the USMC later equipped their AV-8B Harriers with a radar as part of the AV-8B+ upgrade; however Britain's Harrier IIs never carried a radar. When the Sea Harrier was retired, it was suggested that its Blue Vixen radar could be transferred to the Harrier IIs. However, the Ministry of Defence rejected this as risky and too expensive; the Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram estimated that the cost would be in excess of £600 million.[21][N 2]
Further developments[edit]
Even prior to the Harrier GR5 entering service, it was clear that alterations were required for the aircraft to be more capable in the interdictor role. A more advanced model, designated as the Harrier GR7, was developed primarily to add a night-time operational capability and avionics improvements.[23][N 3] The GR7 development programme operated in conjunction with a similar USMC initiative upon its AV-8B Harrier fleet.[25][26] Additional avionics include a nose-mounted forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and night vision goggles, an electronic countermeasures suite, new cockpit displays and a replacement moving map system.[27] The GR7 conducted its maiden flight in May 1990 and entered service in August 1990.[28] Following the full delivery of 34 Harrier GR7s in 1991, all of the GR5s underwent avionics upgrades to become GR7s as well.[29]
RAF Harrier II flying above RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, 2010
Some GR7s were equipped with uprated Rolls-Royce Pegasus engines, correspondingly redesignated as GR7A; these Harriers had significantly improved takeoff and landing capabilities, and could carry greater payloads.[30][N 4] In order to guide laser-guided bombs, from 1998 onwards a number of TIALD laser designator pods were made available to the Harrier II fleet, however these proved to be extremely scarce and often unavailable for pilot training.[32] In response to difficulties experienced while communicating with NATO aircraft during the 1999 Kosovo War, the GR7s were upgraded with encrypted communications equipment.[33]
A further major upgrade programme from the GR7 standard was conducted; the Harrier GR9. The GR9 was developed via the Joint Update and Maintenance Programme (JUMP), which significantly upgraded the Harrier fleet's avionics, communications systems, and weapons capabilities during scheduled periods of maintenance in an incremental manner.[34] The first of these increments started with software upgrades to the communications, ground proximity warning and navigation systems, followed by the integration of the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile.[34] Capability C added the RAF's Rangeless Airborne Instrumentation Debriefing System (RAIDS), Raytheon's Successor Identification Friend or Foe (SIFF) system and the Paveway guided bombs.[34] The Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pod (DJRP) was added as part of Capability D.[34]
In February 2007, handling trials of the MBDA Brimstone missile began,[34] however the Brimstone would remain uncleared for deployment on the GR9 by the type's early retirement.[35] The Sniper targeting pod replaced the less accurate TIALD in 2007, under an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) for Afghanistan.[34][N 5] Capability E would have included a Link 16 communications link,[34][37] an auxiliary communications system, and a Tactical Information Exchange Capability (TIEC) system that was planned to by deployed on both the Harrier II and the Tornado GR4.[38] In July 2007, BAE Systems completed the final of seven Harrier GR9 replacement rear fuselages for the MoD. The fuselage components were designed and built as part of a three-year £20 million programme.[39] In July 2008, Qinetiq was awarded a contract to perform upgrades and maintain the Harrier II fleet until 2018, which was the predicted out of service date for the type.[40]
Operational history[edit]
Combat duties[edit]
Harrier GR5 during a display at Bournemouth Airport, 1990
The first squadrons to receive the Harrier II were based in Royal Air Force Germany, a standing force maintained to deter Soviet aggression against the West and, in the event of war, to carry out ground attacks. As the Harrier II had significantly greater range and survivability than its predecessor the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, a new emphasis was placed on interdiction operations.[41] By the end of 1990, the Harrier II was approaching full operational status with several squadrons.[42] During the 1991 Gulf War, the Harrier II was considered to be too immature to be deployed. However, several aircraft were dispatched to patrol no-fly zones over Iraq from 1993 onwards.[43] In 1994, the last of the RAF's first generation Harriers was retired, the Harrier II having taken over its duties.[15]
In 1995, hostilities between ethnic Croatians and Serbians in the aftermath of the collapse of Yugoslavia led to the dispatch of NATO forces to the region as a deterrent to further escalations in violence. A squadron of Harrier IIs was stationed at Gioia del Colle Air Base in Italy, relieving an earlier deployment of RAF SEPECAT Jaguars.[44] Both attack and reconnaissance missions were carried out by the Harriers, which had been quickly modified to integrate GPS navigation for operations in the theatre. More than 126 strike sorties were carried out by Harrier IIs, often assisted by Jaguar fighter-bombers acting as designators for laser-guided bombs such as the Paveway II.[45] Bosnia was reportedly the first air campaign in which the majority of ordnance expended was precision-guided.[24]
In June 1994, the newly introduced GR7 was deployed for trials on board the Navy's Invincible class aircraft carriers. Operational naval deployments began in 1997.[N 6] The capability soon proved useful: in 1998, a deployment was conducted to Iraq via aircraft carriers stationed in the Persian Gulf. In 2000, 'presence' and reconnaissance sorties over Sierra Leone were performed solely by carrier-based Harrier GR7s.[47] The Invincible class carriers also received multiple adaptations for greater compatibility with the Harrier II, including changes to the communications, lighting and flight deck.[48]
Harrier T10 in a steep climb, 2004
Cooperative operations between the two services was formalised under the Joint Force Harrier (JFH) command organization, which was brought about following the 1998 Strategic Defence Review.[49] Under JFH, RAF Harrier IIs would routinely operate alongside the Royal Navy's Sea Harriers.[50] The main JFH operating base was RAF Cottesmore, a great emphasis was placed on inter-service interaction across the organisation.[51] The combined Joint Force Harrier served as the basis for future expeditionary warfare and naval deployments.[52] In the long term, JFH also served as a pilot scheme for the joint operation of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.[53]
During Operation Allied Force, the NATO mission over Kosovo in 1999, the RAF contribution included 16 Panavia Tornados and 12 Harrier GR7s.[54] On 27 April 1999, during a mission to attack a Serbian military depot, RAF Harriers came under heavy anti-aircraft fire, but did not suffer losses as a result.[55] In April 1999, the rules of engagement were changed to allow Harriers to use GPS navigation and targeting during medium-altitude bombing missions.[56] A total of 870 Harrier II sorties were carried out during the 78-day bombing campaign.[43] The BBC reported the Harrier II had been achieving 80% direct hit rate during the conflict; a later Parliamentary Select Committee found that 24% of munitions expended in the theatre by all RAF aircraft had been precision weapons.[57][58]
In 2003, the Harrier GR7 played a prominent role during Operation Telic, the UK contribution to the U.S.-led Iraq War.[59] When war broke out, Harriers flew reconnaissance and strike missions inside Southern Iraq, reportedly to destroy Scud missile launchers to prevent their use against neighbouring Kuwait.[60] Prior to the war, the Harriers had been equipped with a new armament, the AGM-65 Maverick missile, which reportedly was a noticeable contribution to the Harrier's operations over Iraq;[61] a total of 38 Mavericks were launched during the campaign.[62]
During the Battle of Basra, a key Iraqi city, Harriers conducted multiple strike missions against Iraqi fuel depots to cripple enemy ground vehicles;[63] other priority targets for the Harriers included tanks, boats, and artillery.[64] According to Nordeen, roughly 30 per cent of all RAF Harrier operations were close air support missions, supporting advancing allied ground troops.[65] In April 2003, the Ministry of Defence admitted that RAF Harriers had deployed controversial RBL755 cluster bombs in Iraq.[66] Both the British and American Harrier squadrons were withdrawn from operations in Iraq during Summer 2003.[67]
Underside of a Harrier flying at a steep banked angle, 2010
RAF Harriers would be a regular element of Britain's contribution to the War in Afghanistan. In September 2004, six Harrier GR7s were deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, replacing a US detachment of AV-8Bs in the region.[68] On 14 October 2005, a Harrier GR7A was destroyed and another was damaged while parked on the tarmac at Kandahar by a Taliban rocket attack. No one was injured in the attack; the damaged Harrier was repaired, while the destroyed aircraft was replaced.[69]
While initial operations in Afghanistan had focused on intimidation and reconnaissance, demand for interdiction missions using the Harrier II spiked dramatically during the Helmand province campaign.[36] Between July and September 2006, the theatre total for munitions deployed by British Harriers on planned operations and close air support to ground forces rose from 179 to 539, the majority being CRV-7 rockets.[70] The Harrier IIs had also switched to 24-hour availability, having formerly operated mostly during the day.[36]
In January 2007, the Harrier GR9 began its first operational deployment at Kandahar, as part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF); Harrier GR7s would be progressively withdrawn in favour of the newer Harrier GR9.[71] Following five years of continuous operations in Afghanistan, the last of Britain's Harriers were withdrawn from the Afghan theatre in June 2009, having flown over 22,000 hours on 8,500 sorties, they were replaced by several RAF Tornado GR4s.[72]
Rundown[edit]
In 2005, allegations emerged in Parliament that, following the transfer of servicing duties to RAF Cottesmore, the standard and quality of maintenance on the Harrier fleet had fallen dramatically; several airframes had been considerably damaged and one likely destroyed due to mistakes made, the time taken to perform the servicing had risen from 100 days to 155 days, and the cost per aircraft had also risen to more than ten times that of the prior arrangements performed by Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA).[73]
In 2006, the Sea Harrier was retired from Fleet Air Arm service and the Harrier GR7/9 fleet was tasked with the missions that it used to share with those aircraft. The former Sea Harrier squadron 800 Naval Air Squadron reformed with ex-RAF Harrier GR7/9s in April 2006 and joined by the re-formed 801 Naval Air Squadron in 2007.[74] These later expanded and become the Naval Strike Wing.[75] On 31 March 2010, No. 20 Squadron RAF, the Harrier Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), was disbanded; No. 4 Squadron also disbanded and reformed as No. 4 (Reserve) Squadron at RAF Wittering.[76] All Harrier GR7 aircraft were retired by July 2010.[77]
Harrier GR9 demonstrating its hover capability at RIAT 2008
The Harrier GR9 was expected to stay in service at least until 2018. However, on 19 October 2010 it was announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review that the Harrier was to be retired by April 2011.[78] In the long term, the F-35B Lightning II,[79] shall operate from the Navy's two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.[80] The decision to retire the Harrier was controversial, with some senior officers calling for the Panavia Tornado to be retired as an alternative; the decision having left Britain without any fixed-wing aircraft capable of flying from the navy's aircraft carriers.[81][82]
On 24 November 2010, the Harrier made its last ever flight from a carrier, incidentally also the last flight from the carrier HMS Ark Royal prior to retirement.[83] The fleet's farewell to operational flights occurred on 15 December 2010 with fly pasts over numerous military bases.[84] In November 2011, the Ministry of Defence sold 72 remaining Harrier IIs,[85] along with spare parts, to the United States Marine Corps for £116 million (US$180 million); the aircraft are to be used as a source of components for the AV-8B Harrier II fleet.[86][87][88]
According to a report by Air Forces Monthly, some of the 72 Harrier IIs were to fly again, as the USMC planned to equip two squadrons with GR.9/9A models due to the well-maintained condition of the airframes when inspected at RAF Cottesmore, where the aircraft were stored and maintained by a skeleton crew of technicians following their retirement.[85] This was contradicted by the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in June 2012, who stated that the USMC never planned to operate ex-RAF Harriers.[89]
Variants[edit]
Main article: List of Harrier variants
GR.5
The GR5 was the RAF's first model of the second-generation Harrier. The GR5 considerably differed from the USMC AV-8B in terms of avionics, armaments and countermeasures. Forty one GR5s were built.
GR.5A
The GR5A was a minor variant, incorporating design changes in anticipation of the GR7 upgrade. Twenty-one GR5As were built.
GR.7
The GR7 is an upgraded model of the GR5. The first GR7 conducted its maiden flight in May 1990, and made its first operational deployment in August 1995 over the former Yugoslavia.
GR.7A
The GR7A feature an uprated Pegasus 107 engine. GR7As upgraded to GR9 standard retain the A designation as GR9As. The Mk 107 engine provides around 3,000 lbf (13 kN) extra thrust over the Mk 105's 21,750 lbf (98 kN) thrust.
GR.9
The GR9 is an upgrade of the GR7, focused on the Harrier II's avionics and weapons. Upgraded under the JUMP programme.[34]
GR.9A
The Harrier GR9A is an avionics and weapons upgrade of the uprated engined GR7As. All GR9s were capable of accepting the Mk 107 Pegasus engine to become GR9As.
T.10
The Harrier T10 is the first two seat training variant of the Harrier II; based on the USMC Harrier trainer the TAV-8B. Unlike their American counterparts, the T10s are fully combat-capable.[90][N 7]
T.12
Update of the trainers to accompany the GR9. Nine T10 aircraft received the JUMP updates under the designation T12, however these would retain the less powerful Pegasus 105 engine.[34]
T.12A
Equivalent to the T.12, however differs by being equipped with the newer and more powerful Mk 107 Pegasus engine of the GR7A/9A.
Operators[edit]
Main article: List of Harrier operators
A pair of Harrier GR7s, 2008
An RAF Harrier GR7A flying over Afghanistan, 2004
United Kingdom
Royal Air Force (1989–2011)
No. 1 Squadron (until 2010)
No. 3 Squadron (until 2006)
No. 4 Squadron (until 2011)
No. 20 Squadron (until 2010)
(RAF Strike Attack Operational Evaluation Unit)
(RAF Fast Jet & Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit)
Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm
800 Naval Air Squadron (2006–2007, 2010)
Naval Strike Wing (2007–2010)
Aircraft on display[edit]
GR.9 ZD433 delivered on 20 December 2011, to the Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton.[85]
GR.9 ZD461 delivered on 16 March 2012, to the Imperial War Museum Duxford.[91]
GR.9 ZG477 delivered on 20 December 2011, to the RAF Museum at RAF Cosford.[85]
A Harrier II on external display at British company Dyson's headquarters in Malmesbury, Wiltshire.[92]
A Harrier T2 serial no XW269 on display at Airworld Aviation Museum, Caernafon Airport
Specifications (Harrier GR7)[edit]
Overhead view of a Harrier GR9, 2006
A Harrier GR7 taking off from the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious in the Persian Gulf, 1998
Digitally manipulated image of the interior of a Harrier cockpit while preparing to take off from the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, 2010
Data from Nordeen[93]
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 46 ft 4 in (14.12 m)
Wingspan: 30 ft 4 in (9.25 m)
Height: 11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)
Wing area: 243 ft² (22.6 m²)
Empty weight: 12,500 lb (5,700 kg)
Loaded weight: 15,703 lb (7,123 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 18,950 lb VTO, 31,000 lb STO (8,595 kg VTO, 14,061 kg STO)
Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk. 105 vectored thrust turbofan, 21,750 lb (96.7 kN)
Performance
Maximum speed: 662 mph (1,065 km/h)
Combat radius: 300 nmi (556 km)
Ferry range: 2,015 mi (3256 km)
Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,170 m)
Rate of climb: 14,715 ft/min (74.8 m/s)
Armament
Guns: 2× 25 mm ADEN cannon pods under the fuselage
Hardpoints: 8 (under-wing pylon stations 1A & 7A are intended for air-to-air missiles only) with a capacity of 8,000 lb (3,650 kg) of payload and provisions to carry combinations of:
Rockets: 4× LAU-5003 rocket pods (19× CRV7 70 mm rockets each) or 4× Matra rocket pods (18× SNEB 68 mm rockets each)
Missiles: 6× AIM-9 Sidewinders or 4× AGM-65 Maverick
Bombs: ordnance such as Paveway series of laser-guided bombs, unguided iron bombs (including 3 kg and 14 kg practice bombs)
Other: 2× auxiliary drop tanks or reconnaissance pods (such as the Joint Reconnaissance Pod)
A government statement gave the following systems as being cleared for the GR9 as of November 2010, just before its retirement :
Recce/targeting pods: DJRP,[35] Sniper[35] and TIALD[35]
Air-to-air: AIM-9L Sidewinder[35]
Bombs: Paveway II/III/IV,[35] Enhanced Paveway II/II+,[35] 540 lb and 1000 lb iron bombs[35]
Air-to-ground: CRV-7 rocket pod,[35] AGM-65 Maverick[35]
The Litening 3[35] and RAPTOR[35] pods, ASRAAM,[35] Enhanced Paveway III,[35] ALARM,[35] Brimstone[35] and Storm Shadow[35] were not qualified for use on the GR9. A GR9 in Afghanistan typically carried a DJRP, a Sniper pod, two Paveway IV and two of either CRV-7, Paveway IV or Maverick.[35]
See also[edit]
Royal Air Force portal
Royal Navy portal
Aviation portal
Harrier Jump Jet, an overview of the Harrier family
Related development
British Aerospace Sea Harrier
McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Yakovlev Yak-38
Related lists
List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
List of Harrier Jump Jet family losses
References[edit]
Notes[edit]
Jump up ^ During the late 1970s, Britain had been planning to retrofit the RAF's existing Harrier GR3s to become 'big wing' Harriers, provisionally designated as Harrier GR5 but before the decision was finalized, the alternative option of cooperation in the US program was presented and ultimately opted for.[6]
Jump up ^ The option of equipping several Harrier IIs with the Sea Harrier's Blue Vixen radar was actively studied by Ferranti, however it was found to have involved considerable expense and have required significant development work to successfully integrate the radar; at the same time, the need to provide a dedicated seaborne air superiority capability had not been judged to be a high priority to justify such expenditure.[22]
Jump up ^ Group Captain Andy Golledge described the Harrier GR7 as being "a truly multi-mission offensive-support aircraft able to conduct air interdiction, close air support, presence, and tactical reconnaissance... importantly, the GR7 can perform any combination of these four mission types during a single sortie".[24]
Jump up ^ The adoption of the uprated Pegasus Mk 107 engine removed several environmental limitations previously imposed upon the Harrier II; in hot environments such as the Persian Gulf the take-off and landing performance could become insufficient for carrier operations.[31]
Jump up ^ In the Afghan theatre, the TIALD pod's forward looking infrared (FLIR) had proven to have too low a resolution for the urban close air support missions, often being unable to distinguish between enemy and friendly coalition ground troops. The Sniper pod was reportedly capable of identifying weapons caches and even individuals carrying weapons from a safe altitude.[36]
Jump up ^ According to Royal Navy Commander Toby Elliott, he had faced considerable internal opposition over the introduction of the Harrier II to the navy's aircraft carriers due to inter-service rivalries.[46]
Jump up ^ According to aviation author Lon Nordeen, the RAF had originally intended to modernise its first generation T.4/4A two-seat trainers in order to perform the trainer role for the Harrier II; however pilots noted that training upon a variant in which the cockpit and controls would be far more comparable to the newer Harrier II would have greater benefits and have less limitations, thus in 1990 the Ministry of Defence placed an order for 14 combat-capable twin-seat aircraft.[12]
Citations[edit]
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Jump up ^ Eden 2004, p. 288.
Jump up ^ Jenkins 1998, pp. 69–70.
Jump up ^ Jenkins 1998, pp. 70–72.
Jump up ^ Jefford et al. 2006, pp. 80–82.
Jump up ^ Wilson 2000, p. 29.
Jump up ^ Jefford et al. 2006, p. 81.
Jump up ^ Gaines 1985, p. 148.
Jump up ^ Jefford et al. 2006, pp. 81–82.
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Jump up ^ Walker 1986, pp. 24–25.
^ Jump up to: a b Jenkins 1998, pp. 88–89.
Jump up ^ ZEUS ECM system page www.forecastinternational.com
Jump up ^ Jenkins 1998, pp. 76–77.
Jump up ^ Nordeen 2006, pp. 119–120.
Jump up ^ Walker 1986, pp. 23–25.
Jump up ^ Walker 1986, p. 24.
Jump up ^ "Harrier Aircraft", House of Commons Hansard, 5 January 2004, archived from the original on 9 April 2008
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Jump up ^ Jefford et al. 2006, p. 96.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i "The great GR9 journey". Defence Management Journal (40). 2008. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "11 November 2010 Written Answers", Lords Hansard, UK Parliament, 11 November 2010, archived from the original on 22 November 2011, retrieved 20 March 2011
^ Jump up to: a b c "Harrier Force." Royal Air Force, Retrieved: 22 April 2014.
Jump up ^ "Harrier rearms." Professional Engineering Magazine, 25 June 2003.
Jump up ^ "The UK's GR9 Harriers to Add 'Capability E'." Defense Industry Daily, 16 January 2008.
Jump up ^ Harrier Replacement Rear Fuselage Programme Concluded Successfully, BAE Systems, 31 July 2007
Jump up ^ "Qinetiq will keep ageing RAF Harriers in the air." Professional Engineering Magazine, 9 July 2008.
Jump up ^ Nordeen 2006, pp. 68–69.
Jump up ^ Nordeen 2006, p. 69.
^ Jump up to: a b Jefford et al. 2006, p. 93.
Jump up ^ Nordeen 2006, pp. 105–106.
Jump up ^ Nordeen 2006, pp. 107–108.
Jump up ^ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 62–63.
Jump up ^ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 93–94, 100.
Jump up ^ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 104–105.
Jump up ^ Jefford et al. 2005, p. 101.
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Jump up ^ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 102–104.
Jump up ^ Jefford et al. 2005, p. 63.
Jump up ^ Jefford et al. 2005, pp. 101, 106.
Jump up ^ Norton-Taylor, Richard. "RAF 'nearly ran out of bombs' in Kosovo." The Guardian, 25 April 2000.
Jump up ^ "Harrier pilots come under heavy fire." The Herald, 28 April 1999.
Jump up ^ Beaver, Paul. "RAF Harrier pilots are given the go-ahead to bomb through clouds." The Scotsman, 13 April 1999.
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Jump up ^ "Select Committee on Defence Fourteenth Report ." House of Commons, 23 October 2000.
Jump up ^ "War roars back to Persian Gulf." Kansas City Star, 20 March 2003.
Jump up ^ "US, UK forces enter Iraq in Gulf War II." Archived 16 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Daily Times, 21 March 2003.
Jump up ^ Eason, Gary. "UK troops 'lived up to expectations." BBC News, 17 April 2003.
Jump up ^ Jefford et al. 2006, p. 95.
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Jump up ^ "War On Iraq: Harriers zero in on Iraqi navy." Western Mail, 24 March 2003.
Jump up ^ Nordeen 2006, p. 140.
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Jump up ^ "UK combat jets fly to Afghanistan." BBC News, 24 September 2004.
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Jump up ^ "Select Committee on Defence – Written Evidence." Archived 25 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. House of Commons: Defence Committee, 2006. pp. 15–16, 41.
Jump up ^ Orchard and Barrington 2008, Chapter 1.
Jump up ^ Graves, David (2 April 2002). "Sea Harrier cuts leave the fleet exposed The decision to retire the decisive weapon of the Falklands conflict means the Navy will have to rely on America for air support". The Daily Telegraph.
Jump up ^ "IV into 20 goes once". Air International. 1 April 2010. Archived from the original on 17 June 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
Jump up ^ "Out with the Old In with the New – Renumbering Parade Royal Air Force Cottesmore". raf.mod.uk. Royal Air Force. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
Jump up ^ Hoyle, Craig (15 November 2010). "UK defence chiefs stand by Harrier retirement decision". Flightglobal. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
Jump up ^ Urban, Mark (11 February 2014). "UK to spend £2.5bn on F-35 fighters". BBC. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
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Jump up ^ Wyatt, Caroline. "Struggle at the top over decision to scrap UK Harriers." BBC News, 15 December 2010.
Jump up ^ Wilkinson, Tom (24 November 2010). "Last Harrier jet leaves Ark Royal". Independent. UK. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
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^ Jump up to: a b c d Gary Parsons (March 2012). "UK Harriers will fly again with USMC". Air Forces Monthly. No. 288. Key Publishing. p. 5. ISSN 0955-7091.
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Jump up ^ "Flash Traffic: UK Sells all GR09s for US180M to US". The Navy. Navy League of Australia. 74 (1): 15–16. January 2012. ISSN 1322-6231.
Jump up ^ Majumdar, Dave (9 June 2012). "USMC hopes new method for tracking fatigue life will help extend Harrier to 2030". Flightglobal. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
Jump up ^ "Britain Orders McDonnell's Harrier II." St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 10 March 1990.
Jump up ^ Parsons, Gary (16 March 2012). "Harrier hovers in to Duxford". key.aero. Key Publishing. Archived from the original on 14 May 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
Jump up ^ Dyson, James. "The Harrier in My Car Park: The Price of Losing Your Resolve." Wired, 11 April 2012.
Jump up ^ Nordeen 2006, Appendix C.
Bibliography[edit]
"Harrier II night-attack options diverge". Flight International. London, UK: Reed Business Information. 130 (4034): 10. 25 November 1986. ISSN 0015-3710.
Eden, Paul (ed.). "McDonnell Douglas/BAe Harrier II". The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. London, UK: Amber Books, 2004. ISBN 1-904687-84-9.
Elliot, Simon (18 September 1990). "Harrier – The Next 30 Years". Flight International. Vol. 138 no. 4233. London, UK: Reed Business Information. pp. 50–57. ISSN 0015-3710. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
Gaines, Mike (1 June 1985). "AV-8B—mean Marine V/Stol machine". Flight International. Vol. 127 no. 3962. London, UK: Reed Business Information. pp. 148–151. ISSN 0015-3710. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
House of Commons: Defence Committee. Delivering front line capability to the RAF: third report of session 2005–06; report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence. The Stationery Office, 2006. ISBN 0-215-02694-2.
Jefford, C.G., ed. (2005). Seminar - Maritime Operations (PDF). London, UK: Royal Air Force Historical Society. ISSN 1361-4231. CS1 maint: Extra text: authors list (link)
Jefford, C.G., ed. (2006). The RAF Harrier Story (PDF). London, UK: Royal Air Force Historical Society. ISBN 0-9530345-2-6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2011. CS1 maint: Extra text: authors list (link)
Jenkins, Dennis R. Boeing / BAe Harrier. Warbird Tech. 21. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 1998. ISBN 1-58007-014-0.
Nordeen, Lon O. Harrier II, Validating V/STOL. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 2006. ISBN 1-59114-536-8.
Orchard, Adrian; James Barrington. Joint Force Harrier. Penguin, 2008. ISBN 0-14-188975-6.
Polmar, Norman. The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships And Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet. Naval Institute Press, 2005. ISBN 1-59114-685-2.
Walker, Karen (19 July 1986). "V/STOL Comes of Age". Flight International. Vol. 130 no. 4020. London, UK: Reed Business Information. pp. 23–25. ISSN 0015-3710. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
Wilson, Stewart. BAe/McDonnell Douglas Harrier. Airlife, 2000. ISBN 1-84037-218-4.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to British Aerospace Harrier II.
Second-generation Harriers on Greg Goebel's vectorsite.net
Photos of this aircraft on Airliners.net
Photographs of Harrier G R Mk 7 deployed aboard HMS Illustrious
Defense Industry Daily: AV-8B Harrier finding Success in Iraq (30 March 2005)
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