Harrier GR9

The Harrier GR9 is a single seat, multi-role combat aircraft that is capable of operating in extreme environments, at night and at low level, and from a wide selection of locations, including deployed air bases and aircraft carriers. The Harrier has a unique ability to operate from short landing surfaces and to take-off and land vertically.

The first Harriers entered RAF service in 1969, making the RAF the first in the world to use its revolutionary vertical take-off and landing abilities which allow the aircraft to fly in and out of areas close to the battlefield that would normally be off limits to conventional aircraft.

The Harrier is used by the RAF in the close air support role which means they launch air attacks against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces.  Aircraft are usually employed in direct support of ground troops tackling such targets as enemy troop positions, tanks and artillery.  Harriers are also used for Air Interdiction which are low or medium-level attacks using precision-guided, freefall or retarded bombs.

The Harrier uses a variety of weapons such as laser and GPS-guided bombs against buildings (Paveway), infra-red missiles against tanks (Maverick), cluster munitions and general-purpose bombs. When required, the Harrier can also be fitted with a pod fitted with cameras to provide reconnaissance of the target and battle areas.

The current versions of the Harrier are the pilot-only GR9 and the two seat T12 which, when not used as a training aircraft, can also be used in combat.

Harrier GR9/T12 was formally accepted in to service in September 2006 meeting an in-service date set five years previously.

Military Air Solutions currently delivering a number of partnered support programmes to the Joint Force Harrier fleet.  These include the Joint Upgrade & Maintenance Programme (JUMP) at RAF Cottesmore.  Harrier Pulse-Line maintenance moves Harrier GR7 aircraft in a 10-day ‘pulse,’ through packaged maintenance activities.  Under this approach essential maintenance is combined with upgrading the aircraft from the GR7 to the GR9 standard, which will result in the Harrier remaining in service until the arrival of the Future Joint Combat Aircraft in the next decade.  JUMP has reduced costs by £44 million and has significantly improved aircraft availability to the Front Line.

The Military Air Solutions GR9 team met or exceeded every milestone on the programme for the last five years.

Military Air Solutions are currently working towards a platform availability service to support Joint Force Harrier until its out of service date of 2018. The programme is known as Harrier Platform Availability Contract and aims to integrate existing availability contracts such as JUMP and JRO (Joint Repair Organisation).

Harrier Specifications:

• Engines: One Rolls-Royce Pegasus vectored thrust turbofan
• Length: 46ft 4in (14.12m)
• Height: 11ft 8in (3.55m)
• Wingspan: 30ft 4in (9.24m)
• Top Speed: 661mph (1,065km/h).