Is the Harrier a good plane?

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.

Did the Harrier fail?

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.

Do the Marines still use the Harrier jet?

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.

Is the Harrier hard 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. Other than that, it’s just another jet.”

Why did they stop using 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.

What is replacing 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.

What was the speed of a Hawker Harrier Jump Jet?

Specifications called for a supersonic V/STOL strike fighter with a combat radius of 460 kilometres (250 nmi), a cruise speed of Mach 0.92, and a dash speed of Mach 1.5. During the early 1960s, Hawker commenced work upon developing a supersonic version of the P.1127, designated as the P.1150,…

Is the Harrier jet able to take off vertically?

1 / 31The Harrier made its final flight with the British RAF last week, marking one end to the jet famous for being able to take off and land vertically. The jet’s recently declassified flight manual shows just how extraordinary it is.

What was the first generation of Harrier jets?

First-generation Harriers. 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.

What kind of engine does a Hawker Harrier have?

The jet’s recently declassified flight manual shows just how extraordinary it is. The original Hawker Harrier Jet was designed by the British in the 1960s and utilized a “vectored thrust turbofan engine” that allowed thrust generated by the engines to be pointed downward.

How does a Harrier Jet jet engine work?

GEOMETRY/STRUCTURE/FUNCTION: 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.

What was the first British Navy Harrier jet?

British Aerospace Sea Harrier, in Royal Navy service. 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.