Was the Harrier effective?

The Harrier emerged as the only truly successful V/STOL design of the many attempted during that era. It was conceived to operate from improvised bases, such as car parks or forest clearings, without requiring large and vulnerable air bases. Later, the design was adapted for use from aircraft carriers.

Similarly, Was the Harrier a good aircraft?

It’s not a very good airplane when you consider everything about it. The 131 Harriers currently operated by the Marines haven’t been as useful as their promoters hoped. Taking off vertically limits how much weight the jet can carry, so the crew needs to skimp either on fuel or on weapons payload.

Additionally, Can the Harrier dogfight? In 1976, Marines began taking the Harrier to sea, first aboard the USS Franklin D. … On the FDR, the Marine contingent would test out the Harrier’s ability to operate in adverse weather conditions, as well as pit it in air-to-air mock dogfights against the ship’s complement of F-4 Phantom IIs.

How many Harrier jets have crashed?

According to Indian media reports, as many as 16 out of a total 31 Indian Navy Sea Harriers were destroyed in crashes, which claimed seven pilots over a two decade period up to 2007.

Why did Britain scrap the Harrier?

The British government retired its Harrier fleet as part of the strategic defence and security review (SDSR). … The Ministry of Defence said cuts predating the SDSR meant the Harrier force was too small to carry out operations in Afghanistan whilst maintaining a contingent capability for operations such as Libya.

Why was the Harrier scrapped?

The British government retired its Harrier fleet as part of the strategic defence and security review (SDSR). … The Ministry of Defence said cuts predating the SDSR meant the Harrier force was too small to carry out operations in Afghanistan whilst maintaining a contingent capability for operations such as Libya.

Is the Harrier difficult to fly?

“I don’t think Harriers are more difficult to fly than any other airplane,” Kuckuk said. “It’s true: It requires constant attention. The take-off and landing phase is much more difficult than any other aircraft.

Was the Harrier used in combat?

Still, the Harrier was statistically one of the most dangerous aircraft to fly in the military during its time in service. The AV-8B made its combat debut in the 1991 Gulf War. Harriers were aboard the amphibious assault ships USS Tarawa and Nassau and airfields ashore.

What can the Harrier do?

The Harrier can also hover like a helicopter, fly sideways, go backward, and even stop and turn in midair. It can do all this because its exhaust nozzles, where exhaust gases come out, can swivel to change the direction of thrust from the Harrier’s jet engine.

What aircraft replaced the Harrier?

The decision to retire the Harrier was controversial as there was no immediate fixed-wing replacement in its role or fixed-wing carrier-capable aircraft left in service at the time; in the long term, the Harrier II is being replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II.

Why did they stop making Harrier jets?

The British government retired its Harrier fleet as part of the strategic defence and security review (SDSR). … The Ministry of Defence said cuts predating the SDSR meant the Harrier force was too small to carry out operations in Afghanistan whilst maintaining a contingent capability for operations such as Libya.

Can a Harrier fire while hovering?

The most common myth about the Harrier. In reality, a vertical take off doesn’t necessarily burn more fuel than a conventional take off. … Although it has four nozzles, the Harrier only has a single engine. So there are no extra ‘lift’ engines using fuel while hovering.

Why was the Harrier decommissioned?

The decision to close down the British Harrier force almost overnight was significant in many ways. The joint Royal Air Force/Royal Navy fleet of vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) aircraft stemmed from a Cold War desire to operate from small, unprepared airstrips.

When did the RAF retire the Harrier?

British Aerospace Harrier II

Are there any Hawker Harriers still flying?

The members of family were Hawker Siddeley P. 1127, Hawker Siddeley Harrier (AV-8A), British Aerospace Sea Harrier, McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, and British Aerospace Harrier II. As of 2012, only the AV-8B and Sea Harrier remain in active service.

Do the US Marines still use Harriers?

AV-8B Harrier II attack aircraft will stay operational with US Marine Corps until 2029. The AV-8B Harrier II vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) attack aircraft will continue to be used by the U.S. Marine Corps until 2029 despite the arrival of the F-35B.

Do the US Marines still fly the Harrier?

AV-8B Harrier II attack aircraft will stay operational with US Marine Corps until 2029. The AV-8B Harrier II vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) attack aircraft will continue to be used by the U.S. Marine Corps until 2029 despite the arrival of the F-35B.

Can a Harrier jet take off vertically?

A Harrier jet can takeoff or land vertically because the jet engine provides a stream of fast moving air through nozzles attached to the side of the engine. A system that controls the rotation of the nozzles directs the air (thrust) downward.

How long can a Harrier fly for?

Vertical take off and landing uses an enormous amount of skill on the part of the pilot and also a large amount of fuel. The Harrier can only hover for 90 seconds, in this time it uses 150 gallons of water to keep the engine cool. To save fuel a simple ramp allows the plane to take off on a very short runway.

Do the Marines still use the Harrier?

AV-8B Harrier II attack aircraft will stay operational with US Marine Corps until 2029. The AV-8B Harrier II vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) attack aircraft will continue to be used by the U.S. Marine Corps until 2029 despite the arrival of the F-35B.

Were Harriers used in the Gulf War?

The next combat test—the 1991 Gulf War—did not provide a ringing endorsement of STOVL capabilities. Ashore and afloat, 84 Marine Corps Harriers joined the coalition air campaign against Iraq. They carried out about 3,400 sorties, divided almost evenly between air interdiction and close air support.

Are there any Harriers still flying?

The Marine Corps currently retains 126 AV-8B and TAV-8B aircraft, with only 80 Harrier aircraft in active service as of 2018. Each fighter squadron operates 16 AV-8B Harrier jets. The Marine Corps currently plans to have all squadrons transitioned to or start to transition to the F-35 platform by 2026.

How high can a Harrier jet fly?

But if we had to hazard a guess, we suspect that the Harrier can probably maintain a static hover at altitudes up to perhaps 5,000 ft (1,525 m) or so.

What’s the fastest jet in the world?

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is the fastest jet aircraft in the world, reaching speeds of Mach 3.3–that’s more than 3,500 kph (2,100 mph) and almost four times as fast as the average cruising speed of a commercial airliner.