Hawker Siddeley Harrier

Differences between versions

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The two largest users of the Harrier were the Royal Air Force and the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

The exported model of the aircraft operated by the USMC was designated the AV-8A Harrier, which was broadly
similar to the RAF's Harrier GR.1.

Changes included the removal of all magnesium components and the integration of American radios and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (IFF) systems; furthermore the outer pylons, unlike the RAF aircraft, were designed from delivery to be equipped with self-defence [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] heat-seeking air-to-air missiles.

Most of the AV-8As had been delivered with the more powerful Pegasus engine used in the GR.3 instead of the one used in the earlier GR.1.

All RAF GR.1s and the initial AV-8As were fitted with the Ferranti FE541 inertial navigation/attack suite, but these were replaced in the USMC Harriers by a simpler Interface/Weapon Aiming Computer in order to aid quick turn-around between missions.

The Martin-Baker ejection seats were also replaced by the Stencel SEU-3A in the American aircraft.

The RAF had their GR.1 aircraft upgraded to an improved standard, the Harrier GR.3, featuring improved sensors, a nose-mounted laser tracker, the integration of [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (ECM) systems and a further upgraded Pegasus Mk 103.

The USMC also upgraded their AV-8As to the AV-8C configuration; this programme involved the installation of ECM equipment and adding a new [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] system to the aircraft's avionics. Substantial changes were the Lift
Improvement Devices, to increase VTOL performance; at the same time several airframe components were restored or replaced to extend the life of the aircraft.

Spain's Harriers, designated AV-8S or VA.1 Matador for the single-seater and TAV-8S or VAE.1 for the two-seater, were almost identical to USMC Harriers differing only in the radios fitted.

The Royal Navy's [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (FAA) operated a substantially modified variant of the Harrier, the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

The Sea Harrier was not intended for ground-attack duties and, unlike the standard Harrier, was equipped with [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and Sidewinder missiles for air combat duties and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

The Sea Harrier was also fitted with navigational aids for carrier landings, modifications to reduce corrosion and a raised bubble-canopy for greater visibility.

The aircraft were later equipped to use [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] anti-aircraft missiles and the more advanced Blue Vixen radar for longer range air-to-air combat, as well as [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] for conducting anti-ship missions.

The [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] is the latest Harrier variant, a second-generation series to replace the first generation of Harrier jets already in service; all the above variants of the Harrier have mainly been retired with the Harrier II taking their place in the RAF, USMC and FAA.

In the 1970s the United Kingdom considered two options for replacing their existing Harriers: joining [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (MDD) in developing the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], or the independent development of a "Big Wing" Harrier.

This proposal would have increased the wing area from 200 to 250 square feet (19 to 23 m²), allowing for significant increases in weapons load and internal fuel reserves.

The option of cooperation with MDD was chosen in 1982 over the more risky isolated approach.

AV-8B Harrier II +

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AV-8B Harrier II +

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AV-8B Harrier II +

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