fatman17
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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From AFM-Jan-09.
SIX OF THE BEST BY ROBERT F. DORR, one of the most authoritative US writers.
NO 6: AV-88 NIGHT ATTACK HARRIER II, AV-8B RADAR HARRIER II PLUS.
Claim to Fame:
All Harrier II variants dont need fixed airfields with hardened runways, which can limit frontline flexibility and are vulnerable to attack. Not a true "Jump Jet" despite the popular term, the Harrier needs a little space to taxi and is properly called STOVL (Short-Takeoff, Vertical Landing) aircraft.
Why
The AV-8B's gun is a 25mm GAU-12U equaliser six-barrel cannon with 300 PGU-25/U rounds, 4 Mark-83 1,000 Ib (450kg) general-purpose bombs. despite weaknesses, the Harrier II may be the only close support aircraft that offers something Marines love: a personal link between the ground combatant and the pilot.
Conflicts
War with Iraq in 1991 in which 3 squadrons, 60 a/c, and one six-a/c detachment. flew 3,380 sorties totalling 4,083 flight hours, while maintaining 90%-plus mission capable rate. However, Harrier II losses were significantly higher per capita than other land based a/c.
War in Afghanistan 2001: during the first 6 weeks of ops, Harrier IIs flew upto 4 sorties / day, eventually flying 1,000 missions employing AN/AAQ-28, Litening II targeting pods.
Operations Iraqi Freedom 2003: Harriers flew 2,000 sorties and 300 combat hours.
Weaknesses
The Harrier II has a "red hot center" making it a heat magnet for infrared missiles. there could be an argument that two generations of Harriers have killed more Marine pilots than enemy troops.
First Flight
November 9, 1978 (YAV-8B), November 5, 1981 (AV-8B day Harrier II), September 22, 1992 (AV-8B Radar Harrier II Plus)
SIX OF THE BEST BY ROBERT F. DORR, one of the most authoritative US writers.
NO 6: AV-88 NIGHT ATTACK HARRIER II, AV-8B RADAR HARRIER II PLUS.
Claim to Fame:
All Harrier II variants dont need fixed airfields with hardened runways, which can limit frontline flexibility and are vulnerable to attack. Not a true "Jump Jet" despite the popular term, the Harrier needs a little space to taxi and is properly called STOVL (Short-Takeoff, Vertical Landing) aircraft.
Why
The AV-8B's gun is a 25mm GAU-12U equaliser six-barrel cannon with 300 PGU-25/U rounds, 4 Mark-83 1,000 Ib (450kg) general-purpose bombs. despite weaknesses, the Harrier II may be the only close support aircraft that offers something Marines love: a personal link between the ground combatant and the pilot.
Conflicts
War with Iraq in 1991 in which 3 squadrons, 60 a/c, and one six-a/c detachment. flew 3,380 sorties totalling 4,083 flight hours, while maintaining 90%-plus mission capable rate. However, Harrier II losses were significantly higher per capita than other land based a/c.
War in Afghanistan 2001: during the first 6 weeks of ops, Harrier IIs flew upto 4 sorties / day, eventually flying 1,000 missions employing AN/AAQ-28, Litening II targeting pods.
Operations Iraqi Freedom 2003: Harriers flew 2,000 sorties and 300 combat hours.
Weaknesses
The Harrier II has a "red hot center" making it a heat magnet for infrared missiles. there could be an argument that two generations of Harriers have killed more Marine pilots than enemy troops.
First Flight
November 9, 1978 (YAV-8B), November 5, 1981 (AV-8B day Harrier II), September 22, 1992 (AV-8B Radar Harrier II Plus)