Harrier II
From Free net encyclopedia
The Harrier II is a family of second generation vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) jet aircraft of the late 20th century. They were developed from the earlier Hawker-Siddeley Harriers, are primarily used for light attack or multi-role tasks, and are almost all operated from small aircraft carriers. Versions of it are used primarily by NATO countries, and also by India. This includes:
- The Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm of the United Kingdom under a number of variants and versions starting in the late 1980s, including the GR7, T10, FRS1, FA.2 and T4 versions. (see RAF Harrier II, BAE Sea Harrier )
- United States Marine Corps as the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B and TAV-8B starting in 1985.
- The Spanish Naval air wing (Arma Aerea De La Armada) as the AV-8B+, AV8-B and a TAV-8S.
- The Italian Navy air wing (Aviazione per la Marina Militare) as the AV-8B and TAV-8.
- The Indian Navy as the FRS51 and T60.
The Harrier II is also notable in history as an example of U.S.-U.K cooperation and of Cold War defense achievements. Of note is the U.S aid funding early development under the Mutual Weapons Development Program (MWDP) and the salvaging of what was left of AV-16A Advanced Harrier Program by McDonnell Douglas, making the second-generation family possible.
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History
Introduction
The aircraft had its direct origins in a Joint U.S.-British project (Hawker-Siddeley and McDonnell Douglas Aircraft) for a much-improved Harrier aircraft, to be the AV-16A Advanced Harrier program. However cost over-runs in engine development on the part of Rolls Royce and in the aircraft development caused the British to pull out of the program. Interest remained in the U.S. so a less ambitious, though still expensive project was undertaken by McDonnell on their own catered to U.S. needs. Using things learned from AV-16A development, though dropping some things such as further Pegasus development, the development work continued leading the AV-8B for the U.S. Marine Corps. The aircraft was centered on the Marine's needs, light ground attack and was focused on payload and range as opposed to speed. In the late 1970 the British re-entered development of their own second generation Harrier based on the U.S. design leading eventually to the GR.5, which had somewhat different performance goals.
Overview and Use
The AV-8B is an extensively redesigned aircraft with a new composite wing, new cockpit and avionics (e.g., FLIR and new bombing system), and more powerful engine. The new wing enables higher take-off weights and more ordnance. The payload was nearly double and the range much increased over the older design, one of the chief complaints with the older type. It was focused primarily on close-air support, and all the added capabilities came at the cost of about 50 mph (80 km/h) slower speed. The AV-8B was put into service in January 1985 at a cost of US$21.6 million each. The design was further developed into later types with high-speed, that placed less focus on payload and range.
The primary mission of the AV-8B in USMC service is to provide responsive close air support for ground forces. This single-piloted, advanced V/STOL aircraft can operate from short fields, forward sites, roads and surface ships providing minimum response time to targets. Recent AV-8B II+ have an expanded secondary air-to-air role.
Three AV-8B squadrons stationed about 40 miles (64 km) from the Kuwaiti border, were the most forward deployed tactical strike aircraft during Operation Desert Storm and operated from relatively unprepared sites. One AV-8B squadron and one six-aircraft detachment operated off the landing helicopter ship USS Nassau in the Persian Gulf. The average turnaround time during the ground war surge was 23 minutes. A total of 86 Marine Harriers flew 3,567 sorties against Iraqi targets in Kuwait and Iraq. Five Harriers were lost – four in combat. Following the war, Marine Corps analysis showed that the placement of the engine nozzles that allow for the Harrier's Vertical Take-Off/Landing made the aircraft far more vulnerable to infrared surface-to-air missile fire than other aircraft. This is because the nozzles are almost dead center on the aircraft, which means that when infra-red guided missiles hit they generally damage a greater number of systems.
In the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Harrier II versions saw extensive usage by both the USMC and RAF. USMC Harriers were based on two USMC amphibious assault ships, USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6). Each carried 24 Harriers, about four times their normal complement of fixed-wing aircraft, and tried out the long dormant secondary purpose of the LHDs and LHAs, that of a small aircraft carrier, or sea control ship. RAF Harriers were shore-based in Kuwait. Two detachments from RAF Cottesmore were sent to the region, with one known to have been based at the Ahmed al Jaber Air Base (Template:Coor dms) in Kuwait, and the other at an undisclosed location. A total of 23 RAF Harriers took part in the campaign; one USMC Harrier crashed into the Persian Gulf early in the war while trying to land on the USS Nassau. The pilot ejected.
The current AV-8B Remanufacture Program converts older AV-8B day attack aircraft to the most recent production radar/night attack configuration. This radar-equipped version of the AV-8B, called the AV-8B II+, became operational in the summer of 1994. The AV-8B II+ uses the same AN/APG-65 radar system as the F/A-18 Hornet and is able to carry AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, giving the aircraft a considerable increase in anti-aircraft capabilities. However, these missiles are most likely to be deployed as a means of self-defense or airbase defense instead of air superiority, because despite its agility, the Harrier is subsonic and therefore slower than most fighters.
Avionics: AN/APG-65 radar, ASB-19(V) angle-rate bombing system, laser spot tracker, TV tracker, CEC-Marconi FLIR, GPS
Manufacture
Aircraft were built by McDonnell Douglas and BAE Systems the latter at their Kingston & Dunsfold facilities in Surrey, in the UK. The factorys were also home to the Hawker Hunter, & BAe Hawk T1.
The aircraft is known mainly as the AV-8B in USMC service and the GR7/GR9 in RAF service. The AV-8A (and also TAV-8A versions) , which was the previous generation of Harrier and should not be confused with the next generation, was a Hawker-Siddeley Harrier GR.3 procured for the US Marine Corps.
Variants
Harrier II variants can vary significantly depending on the exact model, even among a single country's aircraft.
- YAV-8B The first two prototypes.
- AV-8B Harrier II — Two versions were developed. The first was commonly known as the "Day Attack" variant. Later, a "Night Attack" variant was fielded (1991). The Night Attack Harrier incorporated a Navigation Forward Looking Infrared camera (NAV FLIR) and the cockpit was made compatible with night vision goggles (NVGs). It was also able to use the larger Rolls Royce engine. The II+ described below is identical to the Night Attack variant, except it incorporates an APG-65 radar, the same as in early F/A-18 Hornets.
- AV-8B II+ — AV-8B with radar (APG-65) allowing firing of radar guided air-to-air missiles; should be designated AV-8C.
- AV-8C — An experimental version developed from the AV-8A model
- TAV-8B Harrier II — A two-seat trainer version
- EAV-8B — Spanish Navy version
- Harrier GR5 — First RAF version of RAF Harrier II
- Harrier GR7 — Avionics upgrade to GR5
- Harrier GR7A — GR7 with more powerful engine
- Harrier GR9 — Avionics upgrade to GR7
- Harrier GR9A — Avionics upgrade and more powerful engine
Operating squadrons
USMC
- VMA-211 VMA-211 official page
- VMA-214 VMA-214 official page
- VMA-311 VMA-311 official page
- VMA-513 VMA-513 official page
- VMA-203 (Fleet Replacement Squadron)VMAT-203 official page
- VMA-231 VMA-231 official page
- VMA-223 VMA-223 official page
- VMA-542 VMA-542 official page
RAF
- No. 1 Squadron
- No. 3 Squadron
- No. IV Squadron
- No. 20 Squadron
- RAF SAOEU Strike Attack Operational Evaluation Unit
Specifications (AV-8B)
Image:McDONNELL DOUGLAS, BAe AV-8B HARRIER II.png Note: Data may differ for other versions.
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 46 ft 4 in (14.1 m)
- Wingspan: 30 ft 4 in (9.2 m)
- Height: 11 ft 9 in (3.5 m)
- Wing area: 243.4 ft² (22.61 m²)
- Empty: 12,500 lb (5,700 kg)
- Maximum takeoff: 29,750 lb (13,400 kg)
- Power plant: 1x Rolls-Royce F402-RR-406, 23,800 lbf (106 kN) thrust
Performance
- Maximum speed: 629 mph (1000 km/h) 547 knots
- Range: 685 miles (1,000 km)
- Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 14,715 ft/min (4,485 m/min)
Armament
- Detachable fuselage strakes can be replaced with pods for one GAU-12U "Equalizer" 25 mm cannon (left pod) and 300 rounds of ammunition (right pod) 7 pylons for a maximum of 13,200 lb (STOL) of stores, including: Iron bombs, cluster bombs, napalm canisters, laser-guided bombs, AGM-65 Maverick missiles, and up to four AIM-9 Sidewinder or similar-sized infrared-guided missiles. AV-8B+ variants can carry up to four AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.
Films
- The Arnold Schwarzenegger spy-action movie True Lies
- The science fiction movie Battlefield Earth starring John Travolta.
- Aerialbot Slingshot in The Transformers
- Spy movie spoof Spy Hard starring Leslie Nielsen.
- An alien ship was disguised as a Harrier II in a Japanese science fiction movie, The Returner.
External links
- RTP-TV AeroSpace Show: Video of Harrier Hovering
- Navy.mil - Standard Aircraft Characteristics: AV-8B Harrier II
- UK MoD Release lauds No. 1 Squadron & No. 3 Squadron's role in Afghanistan with GR7As (August 10, 2005)
- Defense Industry Daily: AV-8B Harrier finding Success in Iraq (March 30, 2005)
Related content
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