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Further Reading

Harrier

The Harrier is the only truly operational VSTOL jet aircraft in the world. The fundamentally simply concept of a single powerful engine with four rotatable nozzles enable fast jet operation from small and unprepared areas. It is particularly suitable for flying from small aircraft carriers, particularly if they are fitted with a 'ski jump'

The FA2 is a single seat multi-role day/night all-weather aircraft, whose roles in Air Defence and Surface Attack are interchangeable according to the tactical requirement. It is the only true multi-role jet aircraft in service in the UK inventory. Optimised for operations from ships at sea, it's short take-off and vertical landing capability has dramatically enhanced the ability of the Invincible class of Aircraft Carriers to project air power in support of UK interests worldwide. The F/A2 is charged with providing the Air Defence for the Fleet at sea and has the secondary roles of reconnaissance, strike and close air support. The aircraft is equipped with Blue Vixen multi-mode Pulse Doppler Radar, and is armed with the advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM), making it one of the world's most potent naval fighters.

The FA2 is essentially a modified Harrier GR3, an all-metal aircraft that was withdrawn from RAF service in the late 80s. The GR7 is of a more modern design, is largely constructed of composite materials and designed to accept the more powerful Pegasus 11-61 engine similar to the one used by the US Marine Corps.

The GR7 is, in essence, a licence-built American-designed AV-8B Harrier II fitted with RAF-specific navigation and defensive systems as well as other changes including additional underwing pylons for Sidewinder missiles. The improved design of the GR7 allows the aircraft to carry twice the load of a GR3 over the same distance or the same load twice the distance. First flight of the Harrier GR7 was in 1989, and deliveries to RAF squadrons began in 1990. A total of 96 aircraft were ordered, including 62 interim GR5s which were later modified to GR7 standard.

Fully operational with three front line squadrons and the Operational Conversion Unit, the aircraft carries forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) equipment which, when used in conjunction with the pilot's night vision goggles (NVGs), provides a night, low level capability. Although optimised for low level operations at subsonic speeds, the Harrier is also ideally suited to medium level operations where it utilises its highly accurate angle rate bombing system (ARBS) which employs a TV and laser dual mode tracker (DMT). Despite the inclusion of state-of-the-art technology, the Harrier remains a highly versatile aircraft and can easily be deployed to remote forward operating locations and this capablility is regularly practiced during exercises.

By 1 April 2007, Joint Force Harrier (JFH) will operate an all Harrier GR9 fleet. The GR9 will be optimised for offensive support operations and be capable of employing the latest smart weapons such as the Brimstone anti-armour weapon. It will be a more capable platform in the offensive role than the GR7. Like the GR7 it will be able to utilise Sidewinder Air to Air missiles. The operational advantages of the GR9 over the GR7 include the capability to employ the latest generation of smart weapons such as Brimstone. There are other advantages too, but these are classified. The Harrier GR9 will be maintained in service until F-35 JSF is in service.

The Harrier T10, two-seat trainer version of the GR7, came into service in 1995 and is fully operationally capable.

The Royal Navy's three aircraft carriers, HM Ships Invincible, Illustrious and Ark Royal, with their aircraft offer a very potent form of sea power. They provide an excellent platform for command and control as well as extensive communications. This capability is complimented by the flexibility of the air group. Now, in addition to the advanced Sea Harrier FA2 Fighter/Attack aircraft, the aircraft carriers can carry RAF ground attack Harrier GR7s as well. While Sea Harrier FA2 remains one of Europe's most potent air defence aircraft, power projection of a carrier air group has been enhanced with the integration of specialist ground attack RAF Harrier GR7.

Recent operational deployments for the GR7 Harriers have been to Italy in support of NATO and UN operations in Bosnia and Serbia, and to the Gulf embarked on Royal Navy aircraft carriers. This type of joint deployment, something that will become more commomplace in future operations, has resulted in the creation of Joint Force Harrier.

The Strategic Defence Review included a commitment to establish Joint Force Harrier (JFH) - a joint, flexible and deployable force ideally suited to the demands of the new strategic environment. JFH was formed on 1 April 2000 under the command of 3 Group, Strike Command and currently operates two aircraft types - the Sea Harrier FA2 air defence fighter, and the RAF Harrier GR7 offensive support aircraft. On 23 February 1999, it was announced that the Sea Harrier FA2 and Harrier GR7 Squadrons would be collocated at RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering in 2003.

Both RAF and Royal Navy Harriers and Sea Harriers now form a single Group, No 3 based at RAF High Wycombe, in Strike Command. Uniquely, this RAF group is commanded by a Royal Navy Commodore. Further plans for the two aircraft types will involve the move of the Sea Harriers from their current base at RNAS Yeovilton to Cottesmore and Wittering and the eventual replacement of the two types with a single aircraft developed from the winner of the US Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) competition, the Lockheed Martin X-35.

The Sea Harrier FA2 will be withdrawn from service in the period 2004 to 2006. Although the FA2 has a capable weapon system, it is constrained by a lack of performance in some areas, and after 2006 will require significant investment for it to remain credible until FJCA enters service. In addition, even with an upgrade the FA2 could not match the capability delivered by the upgraded Harrier GR9 in the offensive support role. Furthermore, the design of the Sea Harrier predates the more modern GR7 by a considerable number of years. The decision to scrap the Royal Navy's 24 Sea Harriers in 2006 will leave aircraft carriers without air cover until the introduction of the joint strike fighter in 2012. The entry into service of the Type 45 destroyer equipped with PAAMS from 2007 will increase the ship-borne air defence of the fleet. The Sea Harrier FA2 will become increasingly obsolescent as the decade progresses.

The aircraft to form the strike force of the Navy's new aircraft carriers is the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and Britain has signed a £1.3 billion deal with America to procure this aircraft. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will replace the Navy's Sea Harrier FA2 and the RAF's Harrier GR7 with 150 of the new single-seat supersonic aircraft which will then take their place on the flight decks of the Navy's new aircraft carriers that are due in service by 2012.