Harrier Jump Jet things

[beer_bosun]

What better forum to ask than our friends in the WAFU department.

Could you settle an argument for me?

Friends of mine say that they harrier jump jet was able to take off and land using its vertical capability.

I thought it was just landing.

Could you confirm and if it can take off via the vertical thrust thing, what was the point of the ski jump on the invincible class ships?

 

[ex_wasp_L2]

I believe yes it can (I have never worked on them) the ramp was designed as a fuel saving device and also to allow more payload (again I believe)

 

[higthepig]

100 per cent right wasp

 

[RoofRat]

They definately can, but the payload and flight duration would be drastically reduced. At least with the ones that I operated with off the Invince. back in 82.
Of course, that was before in flight refuelling was available to them.
RoofRat

 

[Navaleye]

Range with 2 AIM9 was limited to something in order of 90 miles after a vertical take off.

 

[Bisley]

Payload correct as cant vertically take off with too much munitions etc. Another reason only carries 50 gallons of water to cool Engine, which is the other reasonas this puts too much stress and life counts on engine life so on board conventional take off is used via the ramp. (must get out more)

 

[beer_bosun]

Thanks all.

I consider myself educated now.

 

[beer_bosun]

Actually just to clarify again, were these aircraft only used in the Navy or do the RAF ones have the capability too?

 

[Bisley]

the Sea Harrier FA2 was used in RN until they were decommissioned and the crabs had GR7's. The crab version didin't have the radar and air 2 air capability of the FA2 but could carry serious amounts of munitions. Both vertical lift but the crabs had a better engine so smaller take off distance. Basically as usual the MOD stuck all the dosh into the crabs and the RN made do as it always does. (here endeth the lesson)

 

[FlagWagger]

the Sea Harrier FA2 was used in RN until they were decommissioned and the crabs had GR7's. The crab version didin't have the radar and air 2 air capability of the FA2 but could carry serious amounts of munitions. Both vertical lift but the crabs had a better engine so smaller take off distance. Basically as usual the MOD stuck all the dosh into the crabs and the RN made do as it always does. (here endeth the lesson)

The RN and RAF now use a combination of GR7 / 7A and GR9 / 9A; the 9 is a major upgrade to add enhanced avionics and capabability to the 7 while the A suffix variants have uprated engines.

 

[fishmiester]

the Sea Harrier FA2 was used in RN until they were decommissioned and the crabs had GR7's. The crab version didin't have the radar and air 2 air capability of the FA2 but could carry serious amounts of munitions. Both vertical lift but the crabs had a better engine so smaller take off distance. Basically as usual the MOD stuck all the dosh into the crabs and the RN made do as it always does. (here endeth the lesson)

Except the FA2 had the Blue Vixon Radar. A piece of kit widely regarded as the best in its field. Without the FA2 we have a MASSIVE capability gap which the girly GR7 8 9 or what ever just can not fill :x

 

[FlagWagger]

the Sea Harrier FA2 was used in RN until they were decommissioned and the crabs had GR7's. The crab version didin't have the radar and air 2 air capability of the FA2 but could carry serious amounts of munitions. Both vertical lift but the crabs had a better engine so smaller take off distance. Basically as usual the MOD stuck all the dosh into the crabs and the RN made do as it always does. (here endeth the lesson)

Except the FA2 had the Blue Vixon Radar. A piece of kit widely regarded as the best in its field. Without the FA2 we have a MASSIVE capability gap which the girly GR7 8 9 or what ever just can not fill :x

Yep! The GR7 / 9 are designed primarily as close ground support platforms while the FA2 was more capable in the AA arena. Doesn't the current defence policy assume that we're going to be involved in littoral warfare in the future? In which case, having a capable ground support aircraft makes sense, however, relying on such an aircraft for your Air Defence doesn't.