Harrier jump jet#Specifications

Throughout the 1950s, particularly in the years following the Korean War, a number of aircraft companies in both Europe and America separately decided to investigate the prospective capabilities and viability of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, which would eliminate the requirement for vulnerable runways by taking off and landing vertically as opposed to the conventional horizontal approach.Mason 1967, p. 3. In addition to military applications, the prospect of applying such technology to commercial airliners was also viewed with considerable interest by the mid-1950s, thus the value of developing viable vertical take-off systems was judged to be substantial. However, during this era, few companies envisioned that a VTOL aircraft could also be compatible with the characteristics of high performance military aircraft.

File:Hawker P.1127 ‘XP831’ (19253036156).jpg

During 1957, following an approach by the British aero engine manufacturer Bristol Engine Company, who were designing an innovative vectored thrust engine, British aviation conglomerate Hawker Aircraft developed their design for an aeroplane that could meet an existing NATO specification calling for a "Light Tactical Support Fighter". Bristol's projected vectored thrust engine, which received the name Pegasus,The name "Pegasus" for the engine was in keeping with Bristol's tradition of naming engines after figures from classical mythology. harnessed rotatable "cold" jets which were positioned on either side of the compressor along with a "hot" jet which was directed via a conventional central tailpipe; this concept had originated from Michel Wibault, a French aviation consultant. Throughout much of the early development work, there was no financial support for the project from HM Treasury; however, support for the engine development portion of the effort was sourced via NATO's Mutual Weapon Development Program (MWDP).{{citation |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1965/1965%20-%202487.html |title=VTOL Aircraft 1965 |work=Flight |date=20 May 1965 |pages=769–770 |number=2932 |volume=87 |first=James |last=Hay Stevens}}Mason 1967, p. 3.Jefford 2006, pp. 21–22.

Senior project engineer Ralph Hooper at Hawker promptly set about establishing an initial layout for a theoretical aircraft to take advantage of the Pegasus engine, using data provided by Bristol. During March 1959, the newly merged Hawker Siddeley decided to privately fund a pair of prototypes of the design, which had received the internal company designation of P.1127, to demonstrate the design's capabilities.Spick and Gunston 2000, p. 358. During the 1960s, the P.1127 attracted the attention of the RAF; this would eventually result in the development and issuing of Requirement ASR 384, which sought a V/STOL aircraft for ground attack operations.Jefford 2006, p. 13. During late 1965, the RAF placed an order for six pre-production P.1127 (RAF) aircraft.Jenkins 1998, p. 21.

{{Main|Hawker Siddeley P.1127|Hawker Siddeley P.1154}}

File:Hawker Siddeley XV-6A Kestrel USAF.jpg

Around the same time as the RAF's interest in the concept, NATO proceeded to develop their own specification, NBMR-3, which called for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft; specific requirements included the expectation for the performance of such an aircraft to be equivalent to the conventional McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter. Specifications called for a supersonic V/STOL strike fighter with a combat radius of {{Convert|250|nmi|km|order=flip}}, a cruise speed of Mach 0.92, and a dash speed of Mach 1.5.Wood 1975, p. 215. During the early 1960s, Hawker commenced work upon developing a supersonic version of the P.1127, designated the P.1150, culminating in the abortive Hawker P.1154. NBMR.3 also attracted ten other contenders, among which was P.1154's principal competitor, the Dassault Mirage IIIV. The P.1154 was ultimately selected to meet NBMR-3; however, this did not lead to orders being placed.Wood 1975, p. 216.

On 6 December 1961, prior to the design being submitted to NATO, it was decided that the P.1154 would be developed with the requirements for use by both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN).Buttler 2000, pp. 118–119. Following the cancellation of the NBMR-3 requirement, HSA focused all its attention on the British joint requirement.Wood 1975, p. 216. Accordingly, development of the type continued for some time; however, by October 1963, the Ministry of Aviation was concerned with the project's progress, and noted that the effort to combine a strike aircraft and a fighter in a single aircraft, and trying to fit that same airframe to both of the services, was "unsound".Buttler 2000, p. 120. On 2 February 1965, work on the P.1154 was cancelled by the new British government on grounds of cost at the point of prototype construction.Buttler 2000, p. 121.

Irrespective of work on the P.1154 programme, development had continued on the subsonic P.1127 evaluation aircraft. A total of nine aircraft, known as the Hawker Siddeley Kestrel, was ordered and manufactured for testing.Mason 1967, p. 7. During 1964, the first of these had commenced flight operations; the Kestrel was assessed by the multinational "Tri-partite Evaluation Squadron", which consisted of British, US and German pilots, to determine how VTOL aircraft could be operated; the evaluations were finalised in November 1965.Spick and Gunston 2000, p. 362. During 1966, following the cancellation of the P.1154, the RAF opted to proceed with ordering a modified derivative of the P.1127/Kestrel for service, which was designated the Harrier GR.1.Jenkins 1998, p. 21.[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1966/1966%20-%201559.html "VTOL Aircraft 1966".] Flight International, 26 May 1966. p. 884.

{{Main|Hawker Siddeley Harrier|British Aerospace Sea Harrier}}

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The Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1/GR.3 and the AV-8A Harrier were the first generation of the Harrier series, the first operational close-support and reconnaissance attack aircraft with vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) capabilities. These were developed directly from the Hawker P.1127 prototype and the Kestrel evaluation aircraft. On 18 April 1969, the Harrier GR.1 officially entered service with the RAF when the Harrier Conversion Unit at RAF Wittering received its first aircraft.Evans 1998, pp. 21–22. The United States Marine Corps (USMC) also chose to procure the type, receiving 102 AV-8A and 8 TAV-8A Harriers between 1971 and 1976.Nordeen 2006, p. 31.

The British Aerospace Sea Harrier is a naval V/STOL jet fighter, reconnaissance and attack aircraft; it was a navalised development of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier. The first version entered service with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in April 1980 as the Sea Harrier FRS.1, and was informally known as the Shar.Grove 1987, pp. 319–320. Sea Harriers played a high-profile role in the Falklands War of 1982, flying from the aircraft carriers HMS Invincible and HMS Hermes.{{cite journal |url= http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/aureview/1984/mar-apr/duffner.html |title= Conflict in the South Atlantic: the impact of air power |first= Robert W. |last= Duffner |journal= Air University Review |location= Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama |publisher= Department of the Air Force |date= March–April 1984 |issn= 0002-2594 |access-date= 18 November 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100110214537/http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/aureview/1984/mar-apr/duffner.html |archive-date= 10 January 2010 |url-status= dead}}{{cite news |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T3MhAAAAIBAJ&pg=3796,8465827&dq=sea+harrier&hl=en |title= Sea Harrier changes face of air warfare |newspaper=Tri City Herald |first= Patrick J |last= Sloyan |date= 23 May 1982}}{{dead link|date=January 2014}} Wartime experiences led to the production of an improved model in the form of the upgraded Sea Harrier FA2; this version entered operational service on 2 April 1993.{{cite journal|url=http://defense-archive.teldan.com/Article/First-Flight-for-Sea-Harrier-FRS.aspx?sID=277683 |title=First Flight for Sea Harrier FRS2 |publisher=Janes Defense Weekly |volume=10 |issue=13 |page=767 |date=1 November 1988}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1389438/Sea-Harrier-cuts-leave-the-fleet-exposed-The-decision-to-retire-the-decisive-weapon-of-the-Falklands-conflict-means-the-Navy-will-have-to-rely-on-America-for-air-support.-David-Graves-reports.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1389438/Sea-Harrier-cuts-leave-the-fleet-exposed-The-decision-to-retire-the-decisive-weapon-of-the-Falklands-conflict-means-the-Navy-will-have-to-rely-on-America-for-air-support.-David-Graves-reports.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title= Sea Harrier cuts leave the fleet exposed The decision to retire the decisive weapon of the Falklands conflict means the Navy will have to rely on America for air support |first= David |last= Graves |work=The Telegraph |date= 2 April 2002 |access-date=1 January 2014}}{{cbignore}} The Sea Harrier was also procured by the Indian Navy, where the first Indian Sea Harriers entered squadron service during December 1983.Hiranandani 2000, p. 276.

{{Main|McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II|British Aerospace Harrier II}}

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As early as 1973, Hawker Siddeley and American aviation manufacturer McDonnell Douglas were jointly working on development of a more capable version of the Harrier. Early efforts concentrated on the development of an improved Pegasus engine, designated the Pegasus 15, which was being tested by Bristol Siddeley.Wilson 2000, p. 26. During August 1981, the program received a boost when British Aerospace (BAe) and McDonnell Douglas signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the UK's re-entry into the program. The Harrier was extensively redeveloped by McDonnell Douglas, and later joined by British Aerospace (now parts of Boeing and BAE Systems, respectively), leading to the family of second-generation V/STOL jet multi-role aircraft. The American designation for this was the AV-8B Harrier II.Nordeen, Lon O. Harrier II, Validating V/STOL. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 2006. {{ISBN|1-59114-536-8}}.

On 12 December 1983, the first production AV-8B was delivered to the USMC. The AV-8B is primarily used for attack or multi-role tasks, typically operated from small aircraft carriers.Nordeen 2006, p. 59.Jenkins 1998, p. 76. The RAF also chose to procure the second generation of the British Aerospace-built (with McDonnell Douglas as subcontractor) Harrier II GR5/GR7/GR9, which entered service in the mid-1980s.Jefford et al. 2006, pp. 81–82. This model was also operated by several other NATO countries, including Spain and Italy. In December 1989, the first RAF squadron to be equipped with the Harrier II was declared operational.Nordeen 2006, p. 68. The British Harrier II was used by the RAF and later by the Royal Navy up to 2010, at which point the Harrier II and the Joint Force Harrier operational unit was disbanded as a cost-saving measure.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12003381 |title=Last trip for one of Britain's iconic aircraft |work=BBC News |date=15 December 2010 |access-date=15 December 2010}}Wyatt, Caroline. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11997084 "Struggle at the top over decision to scrap UK Harriers."] BBC News, 15 December 2010.

Between 1969 and 2003, 824 Harriers of all types were delivered. While the manufacture of new Harriers concluded in 1997, the last remanufactured aircraft (Harrier II Plus configuration) was delivered in December 2003, ending the Harrier production line.[http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/harrier/ "Harrier Projects"]. airforce-technology.com. Retrieved: 21 July 2011.{{Unreliable source?|reason=domain on WP:BLACKLIST|date=June 2016}}

File:Aircraft engine RR Pegasus cut-out RH.jpg

File:Pegasus-engine-diagram.svg

The Harrier jump jet, though capable of taking off vertically, can do so only at less than its maximum loaded weight. In most cases a short take off is needed to lift the required amount of fuel and weapons needed for a training sortie/mission, using forward speed to supplement the jet lift with aerodynamic lift. A short takeoff also uses less fuel than a vertical take off. On some aircraft carriers, a ski-jump ramp is used at the bow of the carrier to help the aircraft become airborne. Landings are not usually done in a conventional manner because the range of speeds at which this is advisable is narrow due to the relatively vulnerable outrigger undercarriage. Operationally, a near-vertical landing with some forward speed is preferred; this technique is called shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL). Rotating the vectored thrust nozzles to some angle other than rearwards during normal flight (to a maximum of 8-degree forward of vertical, i.e. 98 deg.) is called vectoring in forward flight, or "VIFFing". This is a dog-fighting tactic, allowing for more sudden braking and higher turn rates. Braking could cause a chasing aircraft to overshoot and present itself as a target for the Harrier, a technique formally developed by the USMC for the Harrier in the early 1970s.Nordeen 2006, pp. 33–34.Spick 2000, pp. 382–383. This technique was much discussed in the media before the Falklands War in 1982, but ultimately not used by British pilots in that conflict."Air War South Atlantic" by Jeffrey Ethel and Alfred Price published in 1983. However, the ability to rotate the nozzles slightly forwards did allow the aircraft to fly slowly backwards in the hover, which was widely used in British and American airshows.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/bKQlxCbaRQ4 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200615044004/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKQlxCbaRQ4&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKQlxCbaRQ4 |title = British Aerospace Harrier flying backwards |website=YouTube|date = 21 July 2008 }}{{cbignore}}

The wind direction is critical during VTOL manoeuvres because unless it enters the intake from straight ahead it will push the nose sideways as it turns to enter the intake (known as intake momentum drag). If not corrected immediately, the aircraft will roll out of control. The pilot has a wind vane in front of the windscreen to help keep pointing into the wind.A View From The Hover My Life In Aviation, John Farley2008, {{ISBN|978 0 95327 52 5 0}}, p.81 The procedure for vertical takeoff involves facing the aircraft into the wind. The swivelling nozzles are pointed vertically downwards (thrust vector 90°) and the throttle is pushed to its maximum stop, at which point the aircraft leaves the ground. The throttle is adjusted until hovering is achieved at the desired altitude.Brown 1970, p. 83. The short-takeoff procedure involves proceeding with a normal takeoff and then rotating the nozzles partially downwards (a thrust vector less than 90°) at a speed below the normal takeoff speed; usually this is done at about {{convert|65|kn|km/h}}. For a shorter takeoff run the thrust vector is greater for more jet lift. The reaction control system uses thrusters at the aircraft extremities, nose, tail and wingtips. Thrust from the engine can be temporarily syphoned to control the aircraft's pitch, roll and yaw before it is going fast enough for the elevators, rudder and ailerons to become effective.[http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Theories_of_Flight/control/TH28G9.htm "Hawker Harrier reaction control system"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014143000/http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Theories_of_Flight/control/TH28G9.htm |date=14 October 2011}} U.S. Centennial of Flight, 2003. Retrieved 28 August 2011.

The Harrier has been described by pilots as "unforgiving" to fly.Nordeen 2006, p. 60. The aircraft is capable of forward flight (where it behaves like a fixed-wing aircraft above its stall speed) and VTOL (where the conventional lift and control surfaces are ineffective) along with STOL. Accelerating and decelerating transitions between hovering and conventional flight required considerable skill and concentration on the part of the pilot, especially in crosswind conditions.Properly To Test, Book One "The Early Years",Reminiscences Of Flying At The Aeroplane And Armament Experimental Establishment Boscombe Down, Bernard Noble 2003, {{ISBN|0 9544507 1 X}}, Chapter 21 Merriman, p.178,179 Pilots for the combined UK/US/Germany trials on the Kestrel were first given several hours of helicopter tuition.{{refn|In preparation for flying the Kestrel, pilots of the Tripartite Evaluation Squadron were provided with several hours of helicopter piloting tuition, all of whom agreed on the effort being highly worthwhile preparation.|group=N}}Jefford 2006, p. 41. Royal Air Force pilots destined for Harrier squadrons were usually selected from those with single-seat fast-jet experience. On two occasions the Royal Air Force explored whether experienced helicopter pilots, with their ability to hover and transition to forward flight, would be a better source for Harrier squadrons. In both cases the pilots were completely out of their depth with conventional flight, navigation, orientation and weapons delivery at the high speeds of a fast jet. With the introduction of two-seat Harriers, less experienced pilots were introduced. The United States Marine Corps also started with very experienced pilots, who were mostly test pilots.Flight International Magazine, "The Royal Air Force record", 27 August 1977, p.588,589 In addition to normal flight controls, the Harrier has a lever for controlling the direction of the four vectoring nozzles. Pilots were impressed that to control the aircraft's vertical flight required only a single lever added in the cockpit.Jefford 2006, p. 42. For horizontal flight, the nozzles are directed rearwards by shifting the lever to the forward position; for short or vertical takeoffs and landings, the lever is pulled back to point the nozzles downward.Markman and Holder 2000, pp. 74–77.Jenkins 1998, p. 25.

During 2010, it was announced that the RAF and RN would retire their remaining Harriers by 2011,[http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_191634.pdf "Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The Strategic Defence and Security Review"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222022127/http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/%40dg/%40en/documents/digitalasset/dg_191634.pdf |date=22 December 2010}}. HM Government, 19 October 2010. Retrieved: 19 October 2010. and in December 2010 the RAF's Harrier GR9s made their last operational flights.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11996936 "Harrier jump jets make final flight from RAF Cottesmore"]. BBC News, In June 2011, the MoD denied press reports that the aircraft were to be sold to the US Marine Corps for spares to support their AV-8B fleet.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8576541/Harrier-jump-jets-sold-for-peanuts.html "Harrier jump-jets sold 'for peanuts'{{-"}}]. The Telegraph, 15 June 2011.[http://www.defencemanagement.com/news_story.asp?id=16612 "MoD denies sale of Harriers to US"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701030547/http://www.defencemanagement.com/news_story.asp?id=16612 |date=1 July 2011}}. DMJ, 15 June 2011. However, at the end of November 2011, Defence Minister Peter Luff announced the sale of the final 72 Harriers to the US Marine Corps, with the aircraft to be used as sources of spare parts for the Marine Corps's airworthy fleet.{{cite web |last=Majumdar |first=Dave |title=USMC hopes new method for tracking fatigue life will help extend Harrier to 2030 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usmc-hopes-new-method-for-tracking-fatigue-life-will-help-extend-harrier-to-2030-372797/ |work=Flightglobal |access-date=12 August 2012 |date=9 June 2012}}

{{As of|2024|05|06}}, the STOVL variant of the F-35 Lightning II, designated the F-35B, has replaced the AV-8B Harrier II in service with the US Marine Corps.[http://www.harrier.org.uk/history/history_production.htm "Harrier Production"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224191029/http://www.harrier.org.uk/history/history_production.htm |date=24 December 2017}}. Harrier.org.uk. Retrieved: 21 July 2011.[http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/aeronautics/mediacenter/mediakits/f35/F-35FastFacts01142010.pdf "F-35 Lightning II Program Update & Fast Facts"]{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}. lockheedmartin.com. Retrieved: 26 August 2010.{{Cite web |title=Marine Attack Squadron 214 Transitions to the F-35B |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/2980238/marine-attack-squadron-214-transitions-to-the-f-35b/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=United States Marine Corps Flagship |language=en-US}} The RAF and Royal Navy introduced the F-35B in June 2018 with their first F-35 unit, 617 Squadron.{{cite news |title=Dambusters To Be Next Lightning Ii Squadron |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/dambusters-to-be-next-lightning-ii-squadron-18072013 |date=18 July 2013 |newspaper=RAF MOD |access-date=19 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715012639/http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/dambusters-to-be-next-lightning-ii-squadron-18072013 |archive-date=15 July 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}{{cite news |last=Jennings |first=Gareth |title=UK orders first operational F-35 combat aircraft|url=http://www.janes.com/article/46164/uk-orders-first-operational-f-35-combat-aircraft |access-date=23 November 2014 |newspaper=Janes Defence |date=18 June 2015}}Chuter, Andrew. [https://archive.today/20120730111759/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120510/DEFREG01/305100002/It-8217-s-Official-U-K-Switch-Back-STOVL-F-35 "It’s Official: U.K. To Switch Back to STOVL F-35"]. Defense News, 10 May 2012.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Lockheed |title=United Kingdom |url=https://www.f35.com/f35/global-enterprise/united-kingdom.html |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=www.f35.com |language=en}}

As of March 2021, Italian Navy AV-8Bs had been replaced by F-35Bs, on the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour.{{Cite web |title=Italy |url=https://www.f35.com/f35/global-enterprise/italy.html |access-date=2023-07-18 |author=Lockheed Martin |website= f35.com |language=en}}{{cite news|author1=Nativi, Andy |author2=Menon, Jay |author3=Sweetman, Bill |title=Navies Worldwide Invest In Sea-Based Airpower |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |publisher=Penton Media |location=New York |date=5 April 2012 |issn=0005-2175}}{{Cite web |last=Gain |first=Nathan |date=2021-03-26 |title=Italian Navy's Cavour aircraft carrier certified for F-35B operation |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/03/italian-navys-cavour-aircraft-carrier-certified-for-f-35b-operation/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}

In 2016, the Indian Navy retired the last of their remaining 11 Sea Harriers, which had been operating from {{INS|Viraat}} in favour of the conventional Mikoyan MiG-29K.{{cite news|last1=Raghuvanshi|first1=Vivek|title=Indian Navy Retires Sea Harriers|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/naval-aviation/2016/03/21/indian-navy-retires-sea-harriers/82070296/|access-date=21 May 2017|work=Defense News|date=21 March 2016}}

Starting in 2007, Spain was looking to replace its Harrier IIs – with the likely option being the F-35B.{{cite news |first= Jim |last= Wolf |url= http://uk.reuters.com/article/fighter-lockheed-buyers-idUKN2735708720090227 |title= Lockheed says interest growing in F-35 fighter |work=Reuters |date= 27 February 2009 |access-date=20 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704203809/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2009/02/27/fighter-lockheed-buyers-idUKN2735708720090227|archive-date=4 July 2013}}{{Cite web|last=Hoyle |first=Craig |title=Farnborough: Face the Facts with Steve O'Bryan |work=Flightglobal |date=20 July 2010 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-face-the-facts-with-steve-obryan-344745/ |access-date=31 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308182547/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-face-the-facts-with-steve-obryan-344745/|archive-date=8 March 2012}} However, in May 2014, the Spanish government announced that it had decided to extend the aircraft's service life to beyond 2025 due to a lack of funds for a replacement aircraft.{{Cite journal|last=Ing|first=David|title=Spain to extend AV-8B Harrier service life|journal=Jane's Defence Weekly|volume=51|issue=27|date=28 May 2014|publisher=Jane's Information Group|location=Surrey, UK|issn=0265-3818}}

{{Main|List of Harrier variants}}

; Hawker P.1127

: (1960)

; Kestrel FGA.1

: (1964)

; Harrier GR.1/1A/3/3A

: (from 1966)

; Harrier T.2/2A/4/4A/8/52/60

: (from 1970)

; AV-8A/C/S Harrier Mk.50/53/55/Matador

; TAV-8A/S Harrier Mk.54/Matador

; Sea Harrier FRS.1/FRS.51/F(A).2

: (from 1978)

; AV-8B Harrier II/EAV-8B Matador II/AV-8B Harrier II Night Attack/AV-8B Harrier II Plus

: (from 1983)

; TAV-8B Harrier II/ETAV-8B Matador II/

; Harrier GR.5/5A/7/7A/9/9A

: (from 1985)

; Harrier T.10/12

File:Hawker P. 1127 - NASA.jpg|The Hawker P.1127, predecessor to the Harrier

File:Harrierxv752.jpg|An RAF Harrier GR3 on display at Bletchley Park, England

File:SeaHarriers FA2 in Persian Gulf.jpg|Royal Navy Sea Harrier FA2s of 801 Naval Air Squadron on the deck of HMS Illustrious in the Persian Gulf

File:Harrier AV-8B.jpg|US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier

File:AV-8B Harrier landing aboard Principe de Asturias (R11).jpg|AV-8B Harrier landing aboard Principe de Asturias

File:Bae harrier gr9 zg502 takeoff arp.jpg|RAF Harrier GR9 arrives at RIAT 2008

{{Main|List of Harrier operators}}

File:Harrier operators.png

File:DN-ST-87-06219.JPEG

File:AV8A-159240-0247.jpg in 1980|alt=several Harriers stored on board a ship]]

{{Update|section|date=April 2021}}

;{{IND}}

• Indian Navy (former)[http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/naval-aviation/2016/03/21/indian-navy-retires-sea-harriers/82070296/ Indian Navy Retires Sea Harriers] 21 March 2016. Accessed 3 April 2016.

;{{ITA}}

• Italian Navy (former)

;{{ESP}}

• Spanish Navy

;{{THA}}

• Royal Thai Navy (former){{cite web |url=http://pacificwingsmagazine.com/2011/03/08/end-of-a-legend%E2%80%94harrier-farewell/ |title=Pacific Wings Magazine | Leading the Way in Aviation Coverage | Aviat… |access-date=26 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714183820/http://pacificwingsmagazine.com/2011/03/08/end-of-a-legend%E2%80%94harrier-farewell/ |archive-date=14 July 2012 }}

;{{UK}}

• Royal Air Force (former)
• Royal Navy (former)

;{{USA}}

• United States Marine Corps

An unusual feature of the Harrier family of aircraft is their use of two types of flight control to provide pitch, roll and yaw control: conventional control surfaces for wingborne flight, and a system of reaction control valves directing jets of bleed air from the high-pressure compressor of the engine out through the extremities of the nose, tail, and at the wingtips during vectored thrust–borne flight and hover modes. The two systems are fully interlinked but air is not supplied to the reaction control valves during conventional wingborne flight."[http://www.harrier.org.uk/technical/Basic_TechNet.htm Technical] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416065615/http://harrier.org.uk/technical/Basic_TechNet.htm |date=16 April 2012 }}" page on harrier.org.uk website, viewed 24 November 2013

: Sources: NordeenNordeen 2006, Appendix C.

{{Portal|Aviation|United Kingdom}}

{{aircontent

|see also=

• Aircraft in fiction - Harrier family
• Leonard v. Pepsico, Inc.
• Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

|related=

• Hawker P.1127/Hawker Siddeley Kestrel
• Hawker Siddeley P.1154
• Hawker Siddeley Harrier
• McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II
• British Aerospace Harrier II

|similar aircraft=

• Bell X-14
• Hunting H.126
• Rockwell XFV-12
• Ryan XV-5 Vertifan
• Short SC.1
• Yakovlev Yak-36
• Yakovlev Yak-38

|lists=

• List of VTOL aircraft
• List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm
• List of attack aircraft
• List of fighter aircraft
• List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force
• List of Harrier family losses
• List of active United States military aircraft
• List of active United Kingdom military aircraft

}}

{{Reflist|group=N}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Refbegin}}

• Brown, Kevin. [https://books.google.com/books?id=qNgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA80 "The Plane That Makes Airfields Obsolete"]. Popular Mechanics, 133(6), June 1970, pp. 80–83.
• Buttler, Tony. British Secret Projects: Jet Fighters Since 1950. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing, 2000. {{ISBN|1-85780-095-8}}.
• {{cite book |last= Hiranandani |first= G.M. |title= Transition to Triumph: History of the Indian Navy, 1965–1975 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zFyMKROi46kC|location=New Delhi, India |publisher= Lancer Publishers |year= 2000 |isbn =1-897829-72-8}}
• {{Cite book |last=Grove |first=Eric J |title=Vanguard to Trident; British Naval Policy since World War II |publisher=The Bodley Head |year=1987 |isbn=0-370-31021-7}}
• Jefford, C.G., ed. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110105084744/http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/documents/Journal%2035A%20-%20Seminar%20-%20the%20RAF%20Harrier%20Story.pdf The RAF Harrier Story.] London: Royal Air Force Historical Society, 2006. {{ISBN|0-9530345-2-6}}.
• Jenkins, Dennis R. Boeing/BAe Harrier. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 1998. {{ISBN|1-58007-014-0}}.
• Markman, Steve and Bill Holder. Straight Up: A History of Vertical Flight. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2000. {{ISBN|0-7643-1204-9}}.
• Mason, Francis K. The Hawker P.1127 and Kestrel (Aircraft in Profile 93). Leatherhead, Surrey, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1967.
• {{Cite book |last=Nordeen |first=Lon O. |title=Harrier II, Validating V/STOL |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m9aQXZ5rsLYC|location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=2006 |isbn=1-59114-536-8}}
• Spick, Mike and Bill Gunston. The Great Book of Modern Warplanes. Osceola, WI: MBI Publishing, 2000. {{ISBN|0-7603-0893-4}}.
• {{Cite book |last=Wilson |first=Stewart |title=BAe/McDonnell Douglas Harrier |publisher=Airlife, 2000 |isbn=1-84037-218-4 |year=2000}}
• {{cite book |last=Wood |first=Derek |title= Project Cancelled |publisher=Macdonald and Jane's |year=1975 | location=London| isbn=0-356-85109-5}}

{{Refend}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{Cite book |editor-last=Eden |editor-first=Paul |title=The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft |date=July 2006 |location=London, UK |publisher=Amber Books, 2004 |isbn=1-904687-84-9 |ref={{harvid |Eden |2004}}}}
• {{Cite book |last=Bull |first=Stephen |title=Encyclopedia of military technology and innovation |publisher=Greenwood Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=1-57356-557-1}}
• {{Cite book |last=Gunston |first=Bill and Mike Spick |title=Modern Air Combat: The Aircraft, Tactics and Weapons Employed in Aerial Warfare Today |location=New York |publisher=Crescent Books |year=1983 |isbn=0-517-41265-9 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/modernaircombata0000guns }}
• {{Cite book |last=Cordesman |first=Anthony H. |title=The Iraq War: strategy, tactics, and military lessons |url=https://archive.org/details/iraqwarstrategyt00cord |url-access=registration |publisher=Centre for Strategic and International Studies |year=2003 |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=0-89206-432-3 }}
• {{Cite book |last=Epstein |first=David G. |title=Making and Doing Deals: Contracts in Context (second edition) |location=Newark, New Jersey |publisher=LexisNexis |year=2006 |isbn=0-8205-7044-3}}
• {{Cite book |last=Evans |first=Andy |title=BAE / McDonnell Douglas Harrier |year=1998 |publisher=The Crowood Press |location=Ramsbury, UK |isbn=1-86126-105-5}}
• {{Cite book |last=Grove |first=Eric |title=The Future of Sea Power |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qM4OAAAAQAAJ |publisher=Routledge |year=1990 |location=London, UK |isbn=0-415-00482-9 }}
• {{Cite book |last=Jackson |first=Robert |title=NATO air power |location=Shrewsbury, UK |publisher=Airlife Publishing |year=1987 |isbn=0-906393-80-9}}
• {{Cite book |last=Lambert |first=Mark |title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–94 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |year=1993 |location=Coulsdon, UK |isbn=0-7106-1066-1}}
• Polmar, Norman, and Dana Bell. One Hundred Years of World Military Aircraft. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press, 2003. {{ISBN|1-59114-686-0}}.
• {{Cite book |last=Polmar |first=Norman |title=The Naval Institute guide to the ships and aircraft of the U.S. fleet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8MwyTX-iA2wC |location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=2005 |isbn=1-59114-685-2 }}
• {{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=John W. R. |author-link=John W. R. Taylor |title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89 |location=Coulsdon, UK |publisher=Jane's Defence Data |year=1988 |isbn=0-7106-0867-5}}
• {{Cite journal |last=Ashley |first=Stephen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JAZt49uUiuIC&pg=PA56 |title=Jump Jet |journal=Popular Science |volume=233 |issue=4 |date=October 1988 |pages=56–59, 112, 114 }}
• {{Cite journal |last=Walker |first=Karen |title=V/STOL Comes of Age |journal=Flight International |date=19 July 1986 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1986/1986%20-%201660.html |pages=23–25 |access-date=22 July 2011 }}
• Bishop, Chris and Chris Chant. Aircraft Carriers. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA: Zenith Imprint, 2004. {{ISBN|0-7603-2005-5}}.
• Braybrook, Roy. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZUjMYkfr-pwC Battle for the Falklands: Air Forces.]{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1982. {{ISBN|0-85045-493-X}}.
• Bull, Stephen. Encyclopedia of Military Rechnology and Innovation. Westport, Connecticut, USA: Greenwood Publishing, 2004. {{ISBN|1-57356-557-1}}.
• Burr, Lawrence and Peter Bull. US Fast Battleships 1938–91: The Iowa Class. New York, USA: Osprey Publishing, 2010. {{ISBN|1-84603-511-2}}.
• Congress Committee on Appropriations. "Department of Defense Appropriations for 1979: Part 5". Washington D.C., USA: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1979.
• Cowan, Charles W. (ed.) Flypast 2. Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1972. {{ISBN|0-85383-191-2}}.
• Davies, Peter and Anthony M. Thornborough. The Harrier Story. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press, 1997. {{ISBN|978-1-55750-357-2}}.
• Evans, Andy. BAe/McDonald Douglas Harrier. Ramsbury, UK: The Crowood Press, 1998. {{ISBN|1-86126-105-5}}.
• Farley, John, OBE. A View From The Hover: My Life In Aviation. Bath, UK: Seager Publishing/Flyer Books, 2010, first edition 2008. {{ISBN|978-0-9532752-0-5}}.
• Freedman, Lawrence. The Official History of the Falklands Campaign. Volume II: War and Diplomacy. London, UK: Routledge, 2007. {{ISBN|978-0-415-41911-6}}.
• Friedman, Norman. U.S. Aircraft Carriers: an Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press, 1983. {{ISBN|0-87021-739-9}}.
• Gunston, W. T. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1977/1977%20-%200201.html "Pegasus updating prospects".] Flight International, 22 January 1977, pp. 189–191.
• Hannah, Donald. Hawker FlyPast Reference Library. Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK: Key Publishing Ltd., 1982. {{ISBN|0-946219-01-X}}.
• Jackson, Paul. "British Aerospace/McDonnell Douglas Harrier". World Air Power Journal, Volume 6, Summer 1991. pp. 46–105.
• James, Derek N. Hawker, an Aircraft Album No. 5. New York: Arco Publishing Company, 1973. {{ISBN|0-668-02699-5}}. (First published in the UK by Ian Allan in 1972)
• Layman, R D and Stephen McLaughlin. The Hybrid Warship. London: Conway, 1991. {{ISBN|0-85177-555-1}}.
• Mason, Francis K. Harrier. Wellingborough, UK: Patrick Stephens Limited, Third edition, 1986. {{ISBN|0-85059-801-X}}.
• Mason, Francis K. Hawker Aircraft since 1920. London: Putnam, 1991. {{ISBN|0-85177-839-9}}
• Miller, David M. O. and Chris Miller. "Modern Naval Combat". Crescent Books, 1986. {{ISBN|0-517-61350-6}}.
• Moxton, Julian. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1982/1982%20-%202681.html "Supersonic Harrier: One Step Closer".] Flight International, 4 December 1982, pp. 1633–1635.
• Sturtivant, Ray. Fleet Air Arm Fixed-Wing Aircraft since 1946. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians), 2004. {{ISBN|0-85130-283-1}}.
• Sturtivant, Ray. RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians), 2007. {{ISBN|0-85130-365-X}}.
• Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft since 1911. Putnam Aeronautical, 1990. {{ISBN|0-87021-792-5}}.
• Vann, Frank. Harrier jump jet. New York, USA: Bdd Promotional Book Co, 1990. {{ISBN|0-7924-5140-6}}.
• {{Cite book |last=Markman |first=Steve and Bill Holder |chapter=MAC-DAC/BAe AV-8 Harrier Vectored Thrust VTOL |title=Straight Up: A History of Vertical Flight |location=Atglen, Pennsylvania |publisher=Schiffer Publishing |year=2000 |isbn=0-7643-1204-9}}

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1962/1962%20-%202326.html The P.1127 Analysed] – a 1962 Flight International article on the Hawker P.1127
• [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1963/1963%20-%200628.html P.1127 Development] – a 1963 Flight International article on the development of the Hawker P.1127
• [http://www.combataircraft.com/aircraft/fseaharrier.aspx British Aerospace Sea Harrier]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081121094050/http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/2003/shars/shars.htm Sea Harrier Still Alive and Kicking (archive article)]
• [http://www.harrier.org.uk/ Harrier history website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402071911/http://harrier.org.uk/welcome/index.htm |date=2 April 2009 }}
• [http://www.naval-history.net/F63braircraftlost.htm Harriers lost in the Falklands]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080828062011/http://www.wingweb.co.uk/aircraft/Harrier_VTOL_Jump-Jet_part1.html Harrier development & service, 4 part series]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120215085053/http://www.photoboxgallery.com/MaritimeAviationNews Photographs of Harrier G R Mk 7 deployed aboard HMS Illustrious]
• [http://www.rtptv.homestead.com/rtpharrier.html RTP-TV AeroSpace Show: Video of Harrier Hovering]
• [http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/av8b/index.htm AV-8B Plus product page] at Boeing.com
• [http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.display&key=40EAA7E2-1C25-4857-A429-E2D7D16ED62B AV-8B Harrier II fact sheet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204032951/http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.display&key=40EAA7E2-1C25-4857-A429-E2D7D16ED62B |date=4 December 2011}} and [https://archive.today/20121205011112/http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/av8.htm AV-8B Harrier II history page] at Navy.mil
• [http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/attack/av8/ McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace AV-8B Harrier II Attack Fighter page] on Aerospaceweb.org
• [http://www.virtualusmcmuseum.com/3-D_Models2.asp?pc_strURL=Tower_3&strModel=VR_Harrier 3D view of Harrier AV-8B] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314093326/http://www.virtualusmcmuseum.com/3-D_Models2.asp?pc_strURL=Tower_3&strModel=VR_Harrier |date=14 March 2012}} at the National Museum of the Marines Corps site
• Greg Goebel {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060925134615/http://www.vectorsite.net/avav8_3.html Harriers]}}
• [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?distict_entry=true&aircraft_genericsearch=British%20Aerospace%20Harrier Photos of this aircraft on Airliners.net]
• [http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2005/03/av8b-harrier-finding-success-in-iraq/index.php Defense Industry Daily: AV-8B Harrier finding Success in Iraq (30 March 2005)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224042605/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2005/03/av8b-harrier-finding-success-in-iraq/index.php |date=24 February 2007}}

{{Hawker Aircraft aircraft}}

{{US Army VTOL}}

{{US STOL and VTOL aircraft}}

{{McDD aircraft}}

{{Harrier variants}}

{{US attack aircraft}}

{{BAE aircraft}}

{{Authority control}}

Sea Harrier

Category:1970s British attack aircraft

Category:1980s British attack aircraft

Category:1960s British experimental aircraft

Category:1960s British fighter aircraft

Category:1970s British fighter aircraft

Category:1980s British fighter aircraft

Category:British inventions

Category:Carrier-based aircraft

P1127

Harrier

Category:History of science and technology in the United Kingdom

Category:McDonnell Douglas aircraft

Category:Single-engined jet aircraft

V-08AB Harrier II

Category:1980s United States attack aircraft

Category:V/STOL aircraft by thrust vectoring

Category:Aircraft with retractable bicycle landing gear