BAE Systems Boeing Harrier II

The BAE Systems/Boeing Harrier II (GR5, GR7, and GR9 series) is a second generation vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) jet aircraft used by the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and, since 2006, the Royal Navy. It was developed from the earlier Hawker Siddeley Harrier and is closely related to the U.S.-built AV-8B Harrier II. Both are primarily used for light attack or multi-role tasks, and are often operated from small aircraft carriers.

Design and development

Development of a successor to the first Harrier began as a cooperative effort between McDonnell Douglas (U.S.) and Hawker Siddeley (UK). Cost overruns eventually led Hawker to withdraw from the project, but work continued due to U.S. interest in the aircraft. Britain re-entered development in the late 1970s, producing their own version of the Harrier II based on the U.S. design. For UK variants, BAE Systems is the prime contractor and Boeing a sub-contractor.

The Harrier II is an extensively modified version of the first generation Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR1/GR3 series which first flew in December 1967. 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. An all-new one-piece wing provides around 14 per cent more area and increased thickness. The UK's version of the Harrier II uses different avionic systems, an additional missile pylon in front of each wing landing gear, and strengthened leading edges of the wings to meet higher bird strike requirements.[1]

[edit] Cockpit

The cockpit has day and night operability and is equipped with head-up (HUD) and head-down displays (MHDDs), a digital moving map, an Inertial Navigation System (INS), and a hands-On Throttle and Stick system (HOTAS).

The pilot flies the aircraft by means of a conventional centre stick and left-hand throttle.

[edit] Operational history
A Harrier GR7 hovering with smoke from vectored jet visible at the Farnborough Airshow

In RAF service, Harriers are used in the ground attack and reconnaissance roles. Unlike the Harrier AV8B+ upgrade, the RAF have not integrated a radar into its aircraft, although the aircraft retains an Inertial Navigation System. The primary air-to-air missile (AAM) of the Harrier is the infrared-homing AIM-9 Sidewinder (the combination of Harrier and Sidewinder proved effective against Argentinian Mirages in the Falklands conflict), but it does not carry the medium range AIM-120 AMRAAM missile.

With the retirement of the Sea Harrier, it had been suggested that its Blue Vixen radar could be transferred to the GR9 fleet. 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 £600m.[2]

The Harrier GR7 formed the spearhead of the RAF's contribution to Operation Allied Force, the NATO mission in Kosovo. During this campaign the RAF identified significant shortcomings in its arsenal. As a result the service ordered the AGM-65 Maverick stand-off missile and the Enhanced Paveway which incorporates GPS guidance which would negate the effects of smoke and bad weather. Using updated ordnance as well as unguided iron and cluster munitions, RAF Harrier GR7s played a prominent role in Operation Telic, the UK contribution to the U.S.-led war against Iraq in 2003. RAF GR7s participated in strike and close air support missions throughout the conflict.

The first operational deployment of the Harrier GR9 was in January 2007 at Kandahar in Afghanistan as part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Harrier GR7s were deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 as part of the expanded ISAF mission in the south of Afghanistan. Reflecting the increased pace of operations, RAF Harrier GR7As saw a large increase in munitions used, mainly CRV7 rockets and laser guided bombs, used supporting ground forces since July 2006. Between July and September, the theatre total for munitions deployed by British Harriers on planned operations and close air support to ground forces rose from 179 to 539.[2]
British Aerospace Harrier GR9 taxis at RIAT 2008

[edit] Future

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 2015, when the first F-35s are due. At this point, the Joint Strike Fighter should be gaining operational capability.

[edit] Variants

Since 1969, 824 Harrier variants have been delivered.[citation needed]

GR5

The GR5 was the RAF's first second-generation Harrier, with development beginning in 1976. Two AV-8As were modified to Harrier II standard in 1979 and operated as development aircraft. The first BAE built development GR5 flew for the first time on 30 April, 1985 and the aircraft entered service in July 1987. The GR5 differed from the USMC AV-8B in many ways, for example avionics fit, weapons and countermeasures. Forty one GR5s were built.

GR5A

The GR5A was a minor variant of the Harrier which incorporated changes in the design in anticipation of the GR7 upgrade. Twenty-one GR5As were built.

GR7

The GR7 had its maiden flight in May 1990 and made its first operational deployment in August 1995 over the former Yugoslavia. While the GR7 deployed on Invincible class aircraft carriers during testing as early as June 1994, the first operational deployments at sea began in 1997. This arrangement was formalised with the Joint Force Harrier, operating with the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier.

GR7A

An RAF Harrier GR7A at RIAT 2005

The GR7A is the first stage in an upgrade to the Harrier GR9 standard. The GR7A is the GR7 with an uprated Rolls-Royce Pegasus 107 engine. When upgraded to GR9 standard the uprated engine variants will retain the A designation, becoming GR9As. Forty GR7s are due to receive this upgrade. The Mk 107 engine provides around 3,000 lbf (13 kN) extra thrust than the Mk 105's 21,750 lbf (98 kN) thrust, increasing aircraft performance during "hot and high" and carrier-borne operations.

GR9

The Harrier GR9 is an avionics and weapons upgrade of the standard GR7. This upgrade, known as the Integrated Weapons Programme (IWP), allows the carriage of the latest smart weapons, new inertial navigation and Global Positioning systems (INS/GPS). The new weapons being integrated are the Brimstone, Maverick, Paveway III LGB and Paveway IV PGB missiles.

The aircraft will also be fitted with Sniper targeting pods. In July 2007, BAE Systems completed the final of seven Harrier GR9 replacement rear fuselages for the UK MoD. The fuselage components were designed and built as part of a three year £20 million programme.[3]

GR9A

The Harrier GR9A is an avionics and weapons upgrade of the uprated engined GR7As.

T10

The Harrier T10 is the original two seat training variant of the second-generation RAF Harrier. The RAF considered upgrading the first-generation Harrier trainer, the T4, to Harrier II standard. However due to the age of the airframes and the level of modification required, the service decided to order new build Harrier II trainers. The RAF used the USMC trainer, the TAV-8B, as the basis for the design. Unlike their American counterparts the T10s are fully combat capable. Thirteen aircraft were built.

T12

With the upgrades bringing the GR7s to GR9 standard, the RAF requires representative trainers. These aircraft will be the T12, the T10s with the IWP upgrade.

[edit] Operators

United Kingdom

* Royal Air Force
o No. 1 Squadron
o No. 3 Squadron (until 2006)
o No. IV Squadron
o No. 20 Squadron
o RAF SAOEU Strike Attack Operational Evaluation Unit
* Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm
o Naval Strike Wing

[edit] Specifications (Harrier GR7)
Orthographic projection of the AV-8B Harrier II.

Data from Norden[3]

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: 343 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 [4] (8,595 kg VTO, 14,061 kg STO)
* Powerplant: 1× Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk. 105 turbofan with four thrust vectored exhaust nozzles, 21,750 lb (96.7 kN)
* Upgraded powerplant: 1× Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk. 107, 24,750 lb (104 kN) for GR7A

Performance

* Maximum speed: 662 mph (1,065 km/h)
* Combat radius: 300 nmi (556 km)
* Ferry range: 2,015 mi ()
* Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
* Rate of climb: 14,715 ft/min (74.8 m/s)

Armament

* Guns: 2× 30 mm (1.18 in) ADEN cannon pods under the fuselage (no longer fitted)
* Hardpoints: 8× under-wing pylon stations (pylon 1A & 7A are meant only for Air-to-air missiles) holding up to 8,000 lb (3,650 kg) of payload
* Rockets:
o 4× LAU-5003 rocket pods (each with 19× CRV7 70 mm rockets); or
o 4× Matra rocket pods (each with 18× SNEB 68 mm rockets)

External images
Harrier GR7 in flight
Harrier GR7 with 2 SNEB rocket pods (note AIM-9s on pylon 1A & 7A)

* Missiles:
o Air-to-air missile:
+ 6× AIM-9 Sidewinders; or
+ 6× AIM-132 ASRAAMs
o Air-to-surface missile:
+ 4× AGM-65 Maverick; or
+ 6× Brimstone missiles
* Bombs: A variety of air-to-ground ordnance such as the Paveway II/Paveway III/Paveway IV series of Laser-guided bombs Or unguided iron bombs (including 3 kg and 14 kg practice bombs)
* Others: 2× auxiliary drop tanks for ferry flight or extended range/loitering time; or reconnaissance pods (such as the Joint Reconnaissance Pod)