Harriers - 40 years old and still jumping


Few aircraft can be described as truly iconic, fewer still remain in service over long periods, but this year the British-designed Harrier celebrates its 40th birthday, having spent the past five years as a mainstay on operations in Afghanistan.

And the Harrier really is unique - no other jet in service has its Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing (V/STOL) capability where pilots can land on shortened runways, carrier decks or on landing pads in the middle of a forest.
Developed during the Cold War, the Harrier has continually been developed from the first GR1 that came into service in 1969.
Changes to the GR5 included larger wings that provided the ability to carry twice the amount of fuel and twice the payload. The cockpit has been designed around the pilot.
The latest Harrier GR9 is a heavily updated development of the existing GR7, incorporating the ability to use a wide range of advanced precision weaponry, new communications, and systems and airframe upgrades. A Harrier can carry six Paveway IV bombs programmable by the pilot.
Qualified Weapons Instructor Squadron Leader Dan Simmons is one of two RAF brothers flying Harriers. He is based at RAF Wittering with 20 (Reserve) Squadron where both the RAF and Royal Navy train for the Joint Harrier Force. Around 700 engineers and 20 pilots (from both Services) graduate each year. He said:
"In heat of plus 45 degrees centigrade the Harrier can get airborne with a full war load and we do not have to reduce any of our capabilities. It's an amazing aircraft."
Pilots are taught to land on 26 different types of landing surface at RAF Wittering, including a 'ski-ramp' that mimics the deck of an aircraft carrier. One student was combat-ready just two-and-a-half weeks after leaving his intensive ten-and-a-half month course.
The Harrier's V/STOL capability was a massive benefit in the early days in Afghanistan and the short Kandahar airstrip. In a recent incident where a C-17 slid off the runway with its tail blocking the airstrip, Harriers were the only aircraft that could land and take-off for operations.
But Harriers are soon to be withdrawn from Afghanistan and replaced by Tornado GR4s.
And in ten years they will be withdrawn completely from service and replaced by the Joint Combat Aircraft.
Co-operation between both Harrier and Tornado squadrons preparing for the transition is already well-advanced.
However, it is still far too early to consign the iconic Harrier to a museum.
Officer Commanding 20 (Reserve) Squadron, Wing Commander Lincoln Taylor, said:
"The Harrier Force has been on operations around the world give or take for the last 15 years. The aircraft remains relevant in today's ops as it did 40 years ago because of its V/STOL capability."
To mark the Harrier's anniversary two days of celebrations have been planned for Thursday 23 and Friday 24 July at RAF Wittering and RAF Cottesmore that will include a black tie gala dinner for all those who have served, maintained or flown Harriers since 1969.

This article is taken from the 13 March 2009 edition of RAF News - Voice of the Royal Air Force.
Photographs: LA(Phot) Wade.
Image 1: (Larger size) Two Harriers from 1 (Fighter) Squadron based at RAF Cottesmore.
Image 2: (Larger size) A Harrier from 1 (Fighter) Squadron is guided in to land.


Link
http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive.c...E07B723C5D73DB

What a great example of a successful design.

The UK and US Marines did very well with them and still currently use Harriers only India has had a rough time with them. I don't have the exact number but I think India had 28/30/ or 32 and lost around 16 to crashes and accidents, it seem almost half were lost. If somebody really interested in it I'll find the correct information. US Marines used their Harriers very effectively in the Gulf War I, I know there was a book written about them but can't remember the name. I remember watching part of a Wings show and they were deploy so close to the action they never had to be air refueled and had a good sortie rate. I saw one at an air show once many years ago might be the loudest aircraft I ever heard, it has a higher pitch sound.

In my opinion for what its worth, the Harrier was/is a very good aeroplane, it showed its mettle during the Falklands War and as Rock stated during the Gulf War and numerous sorties in Afganistan. From what I have heard and read, it is however, a very difficult aeroplane to fly.

I remember an incident at an air show in Japan where a Harrier bowed to the crowd, and the crowd bowed back!

What a pity the supersonic version wasn't built.

My all time favourite interceptor has got to be the English Electric Lightning, now that was loud, extremely loud.

Never saw one fly "English Electric Lightning" I can only go as far back as seeing a F-4 fly one over a beach I was in NYC as kid, and thought that was loud.

You might be surprise because of its size but I saw a Canadian F-5 fly at a air show and thought it had a high pitch kind of sound to seem louder then the Vipers.

Can only imagine what the F-35 42,000 LBS engines sounds like.

The only aircraft that comes close to the longevity of the Harrier is the McDonnell/Douglas F-4 Phantom II.

The English Electric Lightning was a beautiful aeroplane, having seen (and heard) them scramble for real was a sight to see. They'd lift off the runway, wheels up, apply reheat, pull their noses almost straight up and climb. As far as I am aware, the Lighting in Cape Town at Thunder City recently broke the world climb record. It is such a pity that they are no longer allowed to fly in UK.

But to get back to the Harrier, in my opinion its still one hell of an aeroplane.

Originally Posted by tomtom22

The only aircraft that comes close to the longevity of the Harrier is the McDonnell/Douglas F-4 Phantom II.

Although a different type, the three that hold that honour (in my opinion) are the DC3 (Dakaota/C47) the C130 and a different type althogether, the B52.

The DC3 is still flown by the South African Air Force, albeit with more modern engines. Its not that long ago that the SAAF sold off their Havard/Texan trainers, another superb aeroplane

tomtom22 The only aircraft that comes close to the longevity of the Harrier is the McDonnell/Douglas F-4 Phantom II.

I think the Mig-21 is in the same same class as far as longevity.

Originally Posted by rock45

. US Marines used their Harriers very effectively in the Gulf War I, I know there was a book written about them but can't remember the name.

Hammer from Above

Funny Coincidence was that the Marines just yesterday got first F-35s -the aircraft that will replace the Harrier.