The British Aerospace Sea Harrier is a naval short take-off and vertical landing/vertical take-off and landingjet fighter, reconnaissance and attack aircraft. It is the second member of the Harrier family developed. It first entered service with the Royal Navy in April 1980 as the Sea Harrier FRS1 and became informally known as the "Shar".<ref>Ward, p. 50.</ref> Unusual in an era in which most naval and land-based air superiority fighters were large and supersonic, the principal role of the subsonic Sea Harrier was to provide air defence for Royal Navy task groups centred around the aircraft carriers.
The Sea Harrier served in the Falklands War and the Balkans conflicts; on all occasions it mainly operated from aircraft carriers positioned within the conflict zone. Its usage in the Falklands War was its most high profile and important success, when it was the only fixed-wing fighter available to protect the British Task Force. The Sea Harriers shot down 20 enemy aircraft during the conflict; 2 Sea Harriers were lost to enemy ground fire. They were also used to launch ground attacks in the same manner as the Harriers operated by the Royal Air Force.
The Sea Harrier was marketed for sales abroad, but India was the only other operator after attempts to sell the aircraft to Argentina and Australia were unsuccessful.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A second, updated version for the Royal Navy was made in 1993 as the Sea Harrier FA2, improving its air-to-air abilities and weapons compatibilities, along with a more powerful engine; this version was manufactured until 1998. The aircraft was withdrawn from service early by the Royal Navy in 2006, but remained in service with the Indian Navy for a further decade until its retirement in 2016.
A second concept for the future of naval aviation emerged in the early 1970s when the first of a new class of "through deck cruisers" was planned. These were very carefully and politically designated as cruisers, deliberately avoiding the term "aircraft carrier"<ref name="Norden 11">Nordeen 2006, p. 11.</ref> to increase the chances of funding in a political climate hostile to expensive capital ships.<ref name="Grove">Grove 1987, pp. 319–320.</ref> The resulting Template:Sclass carriers were considerably smaller than the CVA-01 design, but came to be widely recognised as aircraft carriers.<ref name="Moore">Moore 1987, pp. 22.</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>Moore RN, Capt. John E. Warships of the Royal Navy. Jane's Publishing, 1981, Template:ISBN.</ref> Almost immediately upon their construction, a ski-jump was added to the end of the 170-metre deck, enabling the carriers to effectively operate a small number of V/STOL jets.<ref name="Grove"/><ref name="Bull 120"/>
The naval staff were able to build an effective political argument for acquiring V/STOL aircraft on the grounds that anti-submarine groups operating in the NATO Atlantic area, the intended main role of the through-deck cruisers, would be vulnerable to attack by Soviet anti-ship missiles. These could be launched at a considerable distance by a submarine or surface ship but needed to be guided in by a maritime patrol aircraft; fast jets carried onboard would be able to shoot these down. No mention was made of the other capabilities that these aircraft would have.<ref>Rodger 1996, p. 221</ref>
The Royal Air Force's Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR1s had entered service in April 1969. A navalized variant of the Harrier was developed by Hawker Siddeley to serve on the upcoming ships; this became the Sea Harrier. In 1975, the Royal Navy ordered 24 Sea Harrier FRS.1 (standing for 'Fighter, Reconnaissance, Strike'<ref name="Bull 120">Bull 2004, p. 120.</ref>) aircraft,<ref name="Norden 11"/> the first of which entered service in 1978.<ref name="Grove"/> During this time, Hawker Siddeley became part of British Aerospace through nationalisation in 1977.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By the time the prototype Sea Harrier was flown at Dunsfold on 20 August 1978, the order had been increased to 34.<ref name="Orbis" /> The Sea Harrier was declared operational in 1981 on board the first Invincible-class ship Template:HMS, and further aircraft joined the ageing Template:HMS aircraft carrier later that year.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In 1984, approval was given to upgrade of the fleet to FRS.2 standard (later known as FA2) following the lessons learned during the aircraft's deployment in the 1982 Falklands War. The first flight of the prototype took place in September 1988 and a contract was signed for 29 upgraded aircraft in December that year.<ref name='janesx'>Template:Cite journalTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> In 1990, the Navy ordered 18 new-build FA2s<ref>Flight International 1990, p. 9.</ref> at a unit cost of around £12 million, four further upgraded aircraft were ordered in 1994. The first aircraft was delivered on 2 April 1993.<ref name='retiregraph'>Template:Cite news</ref>
Sea Harrier FA2 ZA195 (upgrade) vector thrust nozzle – distinguishing feature of the jump jetLocations of the four nozzles at the sides of the Pegasus engine.
The Sea Harrier is a subsonic aircraft designed for strike, reconnaissance and fighter roles.<ref name=Jenkins_p52>Jenkins 1998, p. 52.</ref> It features a single Rolls-Royce Pegasusturbofan engine with two intakes and four vectorable nozzles.<ref name="Norden 11"/> It has two landing gear on the fuselage and two outrigger landing gears on the wings. The Sea Harrier is equipped with four wing and three fuselage pylons for carrying weapons and external fuel tanks.<ref name=spick_p366>Spick 2000, pp. 366–370, 387–392.</ref> The use of the ski jump allowed the aircraft to take off from a short flight deck with a heavier payload than would otherwise be possible, although it can also take off like a conventional loaded fighter without thrust vectoring from a normal airport runway.<ref name="Bull 121">Bull 2004, p. 121.</ref>
The Sea Harrier was largely based on the Harrier GR3, but was modified to have a raised cockpit with a "bubble" canopy for greater visibility and an extended forward fuselage to accommodate the Ferranti Blue Fox radar.<ref name="Bull 120"/><ref name="Norden 11"/> Parts were changed to use corrosion resistant alloys, or coatings were added, to protect against the marine environment.<ref name=Jenkins_p51>Jenkins 1998, pp. 51–55.</ref> After the Falklands War, the Sea Harrier was fitted with the Sea Eagle anti-ship missile.<ref name="New Science Harrier 2">Template:Cite journal</ref>
The Blue Fox radar was seen by some critics as having comparatively low performance for what was available at the time of procurement.<ref name="New Science Harrier 2" /> The Sea Harrier FA2 was fitted with the Blue Vixen radar, which was described as one of the most advanced pulse doppler radar systems in the world.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Blue Vixen formed the basis of the Eurofighter Typhoon's CAPTOR radar.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Sea Harrier FA2 carried the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, the first UK aircraft with this capability.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> An upgraded model of the Pegasus engine, the Pegasus Mk 106, was used in the Sea Harrier FA2. In response to the threat of radar-based anti-aircraft weapons electronic countermeasures were added.<ref name="New Science Harrier 2"/> Other improvements included an increased air-to-air weapons load, look-down radar, increased range, and improved cockpit displays.<ref name= 'janesx'/>
The Sea Harrier's cockpit includes a conventional centre stick arrangement and left-hand throttle. In addition to normal flight controls, the Harrier has a lever for controlling the direction of the four vectorable nozzles. The nozzles point rearward with the lever in the forward position for horizontal flight. With the lever back, the nozzles point downward for vertical takeoff or landing.<ref name=Markman_Holder>Markman and Holder 2000, pp. 74–77.</ref><ref name=Jenkins_p25>Jenkins 1998, p. 25.</ref> The utility of the vertical landing capability of the Sea Harrier was demonstrated in an incident on 6 June 1983, when Sub Lieutenant Ian Watson lost contact with the aircraft carrier Template:HMS and had to land Sea Harrier ZA176 on the foredeck of the Spanish cargo ship Alraigo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2005, a Sea Harrier was modified with an 'Autoland' system to allow the fighter to perform a safe vertical landing without any pilot interaction. Despite the pitching of a ship posing a natural problem, the system was designed to be aware of such data, and successfully performed a landing at sea in May 2005.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Operational history
Royal Navy
Entry into service
The first three Sea Harriers were a development batch and were used for clearance trials.<ref name="Orbis" /> The first production aircraft was delivered to RNAS Yeovilton in 1979 to form an Intensive Flying Trials Unit, 700A Naval Air Squadron.<ref name="Orbis" /> In March 1980, the Intensive Flying Trials Unit became 899 Naval Air Squadron and would act as the landborne headquarters unit for the type.<ref name="Orbis" /> The first operational squadron, 800 Naval Air Squadron, was also formed in March 1980, initially to operate from HMS Invincible before it transferred to HMS Hermes.<ref name="Orbis" /> In January 1981, a second operational squadron 801 Naval Air Squadron was formed to operate from HMS Invincible.<ref name="Orbis" />
Falklands War
Sea Harrier at RNAS Yeovilton. The pre-Falklands War paint scheme seen here was altered by painting over the white undersides and markings en route to the islands.
Sea Harriers took part in the Falklands War (Template:Langx) of 1982, flying from HMS Invincible and HMS Hermes.<ref name='max.af.mil'>Template:Cite journal</ref> The Sea Harriers performed the primary air defence role with a secondary role of ground attack; the RAF Harrier GR3 provided the main ground attack force. A total of 28 Sea Harriers and 14 Harrier GR3s were deployed in the theatre.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Sea Harrier squadrons shot down 20 Argentine aircraft in air-to-air combat with no air-to-air losses, although two Sea Harriers were lost to ground fire and four to accidents.<ref>Grant 2005, p. 38.</ref> Out of the total Argentine air losses, 28% were shot down by Harriers.<ref name= 'max.af.mil'/> One Sea Harrier alone, flown by RAF Flight Lieutenant David Morgan, shot down two Skyhawks in a single encounter,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> another being Lieutenant Stephen Thomas shooting down 2 Argentine Air Force Mirage V "Daggers"with Sidewinder missiles on one mission on May 21, 1982.<ref name="Naval-History-AirLosses"/>
800 NAS Sea Harrier FRS1 from HMS Illustrious in post-Falklands War low-visibility paint scheme.
British aircraft received fighter control from warships in San Carlos Water, although its effectiveness was limited by their being stationed close to the islands, which severely limited the effectiveness of their radar.<ref name= 'corum'/> The differences in tactics and training between 800 Squadron and 801 Squadron have been a point of criticism, suggesting that the losses of several ships were preventable had Sea Harriers from Hermes been used more effectively.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Both sides' aircraft were operating in adverse conditions. Argentine aircraft were forced to operate from the mainland because airfields on the Falklands were only suited for propeller-driven aircraft.<ref name='corum'>Template:Cite journal</ref> The bombing of Port Stanley airport by a British Vulcan bomber was also a consideration in the Argentinians' decision to operate them from afar.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> As most Argentine aircraft lacked in-flight refuelling capability, they were forced to operate at the limit of their range.<ref name= 'corum'/> The Sea Harriers also had limited fuel reserves due to the tactical decision to station the British carriers out of Exocet missile range and the dispersal of the fleet.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> The result was that an Argentine aircraft only had five minutes over the islands to search for and attack an objective, while a Sea Harrier could stay near to 30 minutes waiting in the Argentine approach corridors and provide Combat Air Patrol coverage for up to an hour.<ref name= 'corum'/>
The Sea Harriers were outnumbered by the available Argentinian aircraft,<ref name= 'corum'/> and were on occasion deterred by the activities of the Escuadrón Fénix or civilian jet aircraft used by the Argentine Air Force. They had to operate without a fleet airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system that would have been available to a full NATO fleet in which the Royal Navy had expected to operate, which was a significant weakness in the operational environment.<ref name= 'corum'/> It is now known that British units based in Chile did provide early radar warning to the Task Force.<ref>Chilean Air Force Chief interviewTemplate:Webarchive. edant.clarin.com</ref><ref>"The Official History of the Falklands Campaign"Template:Webarchive by Sir Lawrence Freedman. spyflight.co.uk</ref> Nonetheless, the lack of AEW&C cover resulted in air superiority as opposed to air supremacy; the Sea Harriers could not prevent Argentine attacks during day or night nor could they completely stop the daily C-130 Hercules transports' night flights to the islands.<ref name= 'corum'/><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>
Two main factors contributed to the failure of Argentinian fighter pilots to shoot down a Sea Harrier. Firstly, although the Mirage III and Dagger jets were faster, the Sea Harrier was considerably more manoeuvrable.<ref name='time'>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Secondly, the Harrier employed the latest AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles and the Blue Foxradar.<ref name= 'time'/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two other hypotheses about the Argentines' lack of success have been disproven. Firstly, contrary to contemporary reports,<ref name= 'time'/> "viffing" was not used by Harrier pilots in dogfights;<ref>Jane's Fighter Combat – Combat in the Jet Age, Template:ISBN</ref> the manoeuvre was regarded within the FAA as a tactic to be used only in extreme emergency, that would likely only be effective against opponents with little knowledge of the Harrier's capabilities.<ref name="parsons2007">Template:Cite web</ref> Secondly, contrary to contemporary reports, Argentinian pilots seldom released air-to-air missiles and other weapons outside of their effective range and other operating parameters. This belief may have resulted from British observers witnessing Mirages/Daggers dropping external fuel tanks, to improve their manoeuvrability.<ref>Ward, p. 209.</ref><ref name= 'corum'/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
During the conflict, the principal threats to Harrier aircraft were assessed as surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), anti-aircraft artillery, and small arms fire, with four Harrier GR.3s and six Sea Harriers lost.<ref>Jefford 2006, pp. 89–90.</ref><ref>Freedman 2007, pp. 788–789.</ref>
The Sea Harrier was withdrawn from service in 2006 and the last remaining aircraft from 801 Naval Air Squadron were decommissioned on 29 March 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The MoD argued that significant expenditure would be required to upgrade the fleet for only six years of service to meet the F-35s then planned in-service date.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Both versions of Harrier experienced reduced engine performance (Pegasus Mk 106 in FA2 and Mk 105 in GR7) in the higher ambient temperatures of the Middle East, which restricted the weight of payload that the Harrier could return to the carrier in 'vertical' recoveries.<ref name ='retiregraph'/> This was due to the safety factors associated with aircraft landing weights. The option to install higher-rated Pegasus engines would not have been as straightforward as on the Harrier GR7 upgrade and would have likely been an expensive and slow process.<ref name ='retiregraph'/> Furthermore, the Sea Harriers were subject to a generally more hostile environment than land-based Harriers, with corrosive salt spray a particular problem. A number of aircraft were retained by the School of Flight Deck Operations at RNAS Culdrose.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Although withdrawn from active Royal Navy service, Sea Harriers are used to train naval aircraft handlers at the Royal Navy School of Flight Deck Operations.<ref name="Culdrose">Template:Cite web</ref>
Indian Navy
A pair of Indian Sea Harriers fly alongside an F/A-18F Super Hornet of the U.S. Navy during Malabar 2007.Indian Sea Harrier on takeoff
In 1977, the Indian government approved plans to acquire the Sea Harrier for the Indian Navy. In November 1979, India placed its first order for six Sea Harrier FRS Mk 51 fighters and two T Mk 60 Trainers; the first three Sea Harriers arrived at Dabolim Airport on 16 December 1983, and were inducted the same year.<ref name ='Hir 276.'>Hiranandani 2000, p. 276.</ref><ref name="IndianNavy"/> Ten more Sea Harriers were purchased in November 1985;<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> eventually a total of 30 Harriers were procured, 25 for operational use and the remainder as dual-seat trainer aircraft.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Until the 1990s, significant portions of pilot training was carried out in Britain due to limited aircraft availability.<ref name ='Hir 154.'/>
The introduction of the Sea Harrier allowed for the retirement of India's previous carrier fighter aircraft, the Hawker Sea Hawk, as well as for the Navy's aircraft carrier, Template:INS, to be extensively modernised between 1987 and 1989.<ref name ='Hir 276.'/> India has operated Sea Harriers from both the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Viraat.<ref name="Norden 15">Nordeen 2006, p. 14.</ref> The Sea Harrier allowed several modern missiles to be introduced into naval operations, such as the Sea Eagle anti-ship missile,<ref name ='Hir 287.'>Hiranandani 2000, p. 287.</ref> and the Matra Magic air-to-air missile.<ref name ='Hir 154.'>Hiranandani 2012, p. 154.</ref> Other ordnance has included 68 mm rockets, runway-denial bombs, cluster bombs, and podded 30 mm cannons.<ref name ='Hir 154.'/>
There have been a significant number of accidents involving the Sea Harrier; this accident rate has caused approximately half the fleet to be lost with only 11 fighters remaining in service. Following a crash in August 2009, all Sea Harriers were temporarily grounded for inspection.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Since the beginning of operational service in the Indian Navy, seven pilots have died in 17 crashes involving the Sea Harrier, usually during routine sorties.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2006, the Indian Navy expressed interest in acquiring up to eight of the Royal Navy's recently retired Sea Harrier FA2s in order to maintain their operational Sea Harrier fleet.<ref name="flightglobal.com">Template:Cite web</ref> Neither the Sea Harrier FA2's Blue Vixen radar, the radar warning receiver or AMRAAM capability would have been included; certain US software would also be uninstalled prior to shipment.<ref name="flightglobal.com"/> By October 2006, reports emerged that the deal had not materialised due to the cost of airframe refurbishment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2006, the Indian Navy started upgrading up to 15 Sea Harriers, installing the EltaEL/M-2032 radar and the Rafael 'Derby' medium-range air-to-air BVR missile.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This enabled the Sea Harrier to remain in Indian service beyond 2012. By 2009, crashes had reduced India's fleet to 12 (from original 30).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
India purchased the deactivated Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov in 2004. After refurbishment and trials, the ship was formally inducted into the Indian Navy as INS Vikramaditya in June 2014.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sea Harriers operated from INS Viraat for the last time on 6 March 2016.<ref>Indian Navy Retires Sea Harriers 21 March 2016. Accessed 3 April 2016.</ref>
Indian Naval Sea-harriers flying in formation with successor Mig-29K aircraft
On 11 May 2016, a ceremony was held at INS Hansa, Dabolim, Goa to commemorate the phasing out of Sea Harriers from INAS 300 "White Tigers" and their replacement by the MiG-29K/KUB fighters. Aircraft of both types performed an air display at the ceremony, marking the final flight of the Sea Harriers after 33 years of service in the Indian Navy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="IndianNavy">Template:Cite web</ref> The Indian Navy operates MiG-29K/KUB STOBAR fighters from Vikramaditya.
57 FRS1s were delivered between 1978 and 1988; most survivors converted to Sea Harrier FA2 specifications from 1988.<ref name="Norden 11" />
Sea Harrier FRS.51
Single-seat fighter, reconnaissance, and attack aircraft made for the Indian Navy, similar to the British FRS1. Unlike the FRS1 Sea Harrier, it is fitted with Matra R550 Magic air-to-air missiles.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> These aircraft were later upgraded with the EltaEL/M-2032 radar and the Rafael Derby BVRAAM missiles.<ref>Bharat-Rakshak.comTemplate:Webarchive: The White Tigers of Rewa</ref>
Sea Harrier F(A).2
Upgrade of FRS1 fleet in 1988, featuring the Blue Vixen pulse-doppler radar and the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile.<ref name="Norden 11"/>
Several surviving Sea Harriers are held by museums and private owners, and some others are at the Royal Navy School of Flight Deck Operations at RNAS Culdrose and other military bases for training.<ref name="demobbed.org.uk">A. Horrex, M. Ray, M. Boulanger, R. Dunn, T. McGhee & T. Wood. "Sea Harrier". Demobbed – Out of Service British Military AircraftTemplate:Webarchive. demobbed.org.uk</ref> The following is list of those not used by the military for training.
Sea Harrier FRS 51 (IN-617) at Bandstand Promenade, Bandra in Mumbai, India.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
United Kingdom
In use
The Royal Navy School of Flight Deck Operations still uses Harriers to train Aircraft Handlers on the dummy deck at RNAS Culdrose.<ref name="Schofield">Airshow Review - RNAS Culdrose Air Day 2014 https://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/2014/08/06/airshow-review-rnas-culdrose-air-day-2014/Template:Webarchive</ref><ref name="Culdrose" /> Many are in a working condition, although in a limited-throttle setting.<ref name="Schofield" /> Although they are unable to fly, they still produce a loud sound to aid training.
A decommissioned Sea harrier, FRS 51 (IN-621) at the Naval Aviation Museum (India) in Goa, India[91]Sea Harrier FA.2 XZ457 at the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, Old Sarum, Wiltshire<ref>Ellis 2016, p. 284</ref>
Sea Harrier FRS.1 XZ493 at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, Somerset<ref>Ellis 2016, p. 211</ref>
Sea Harrier FA.2 XZ494 at the Castle Farm Camping and Caravanning, Wedmore, Somerset<ref>Ellis 2016, p. 205</ref>
Sea Harrier FA.2 XZ497 with a private collection at Charlwood, Surrey<ref name="ellis264">Ellis 2016, p. 264</ref>
Sea Harrier FA.2 XZ499 with the Fleet Air Arm Museum storage facility Cobham Hall, Yeovilton<ref>Ellis 2016, p. 212</ref>
Sea Harrier FA.2 ZD582 with a private collection at Aynho, Northamptonshire<ref>Ellis 2016, p. 177</ref>
Sea Harrier FA.2 ZD612 with a private collection at Topsham, Devon <ref>Ellis 2016, p. 49</ref>
Sea Harrier FA.2 ZD614 with a private collection Walcott, Lincolnshire<ref>Ellis 2016, p. 76</ref>
Sea Harrier FA.2 ZE697 at the former RAF Binbrook, Lincolnshire (as of 2016)<ref>Ellis 2016, p. 139</ref>
Sea Harrier FA.2 ZE698 with a private collection at Charlwood, Surrey<ref name="ellis264" />
Sea Harrier FA.2 ZH798, formerly at RNAS Culdrose, was auctioned off in 2020<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> to Jet Art Aviation, who restored the aircraft to be taxi- and ground-run capable.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sea Harrier FA.2 ZH799 with a private collection at Ballarat, Australia.
Sea Harrier FA.2 ZH806, ZH810, and ZH812 with a dealer near Ipswich, Suffolk<ref>Ellis 2016, p. 258</ref>
United States
Airworthy
Sea Harrier FA2 registered N94422 (formerly Royal Navy serial number XZ439) Nalls Aviation, St Mary's County, Maryland.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The former Royal Navy Sea Harrier FA2 was purchased in 2006 by Art Nalls, who spent the next two years restoring it to flying condition. In December 2007, it was damaged in a hard landing, while undergoing testing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River and had to be repaired.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The aircraft made its first public appearance at an air show in Culpeper, Virginia, in October 2008.<ref>Scott, Phil. Air and Space. January 2009 "Updates" p. 12.</ref> The aircraft is the only privately owned, civilian-flown Harrier in the world.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Specifications (Sea Harrier FA.2)
Sea Harrier FRS51. of the Indian Navy taking off from INS Viraat
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