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About the aircraft Harrier GR7-9
Royal Navy Multi-role combat aircraft
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| Type: V/STOL jet aircraft |
Manufacturer: British Aerospace / McDonnell Douglas
BAE Systems / Boeing
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Weight:Max STO 14,061 kg
Max VTO 8,595 kg |
Dimensions:
Wingspan 9.24 m
Length 14.12 m
Height 3.55 m
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| Role: V/STOL strike aircraft |
| Crew: |
| Variants: AV-8B Harrier II |
Primary users: Royal Air Force
Royal Navy |
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| Engine:Rolls Royce Pegasus Mk 105 vectored thrust turbofan. Thrust 21,750 lbs. |
Performance:
Max Speed: 575 kts (661mph)
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
Range:
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Can carry the following weapons:
Paveway laser guided bombs, CRV-7 rockets, Maverick missiles, 1000 lb bombs, 540 lb bombs, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles |
Source and more Information:
www.royalnavy.mod.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAE_Harrier_II
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Following the retirement of the Sea Harrier, the Fleet Air Arm commenced operations with the Harrier GR7 and GR9 aircraft, within the framework of Joint Force Harrier (JFH) based at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland.
JFH is a robust organisation that provides the necessary support and expertise for the Harrier, and acts as a parent for the UK’s three front line Harrier Squadrons: Naval Strike Wing, No1 (F) Sqn RAF and NoIV (AC) Sqn RAF .
The aircraft itself is a very different beast from the Sea Harrier. The GR7 is considerably more advanced in terms of construction, powerplant and avionics. Its cockpit ergonomics are also a vast improvement on the old Sea jet. The GR9 builds on the GR7’s strengths, introducing further avionics upgrades that aid the aircrafts overall capability.
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Of note, the GR7 and GR9 are not fighters! Although more than capable of looking after themselves, the aircraft are optimised for the close air support and strike roles and do not possess either a radar, or an integrated long-range air-to-air capability, they do however retain a high degree of flexibility that lends itself well to the current threat environment within which the Royal Navy is required to operate.
The unique performance characteristics of the Harrier allows continued operation from both ashore and afloat utilising existing platforms and infrastructure, and providing a bridge in capability pending the entry into service of the Joint Strike Fighter during the next decade. |
| With the withdrawal of the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier in 2006, the RAF's Harrier fleet is tasked with the missions that it used to share with those aircraft. In 2006, the GR9 also entered service with the Fleet Air Arm when the first former Sea Harrier squadron reformed. The GR9 is expected to stay in service at least until 2018, when the first F-35s are due. At this point, the Joint Strike Fighter should be gaining operational capability. |
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