Sea Harrier F/A.2

BAE Systems Harrier is a Vertical and Short Take-off and Landing (V/STOL) developed in the 1960s for the Royal Navy (RN) and the Royal Air Force (RAF). It is powered by a single Rolls Royce F402 Pegasus turbofan engine with vectoring nozzles allowing for vertical flight. Originally, RN and RAF ordered the Harrier as a light strike aircraft. RAF received the single-seat Harrier Gr1 along with two-seat Harrier T.2 training aircraft. RN first model was called the Sea Harrier FRS.1 and was delivered along with the Harrier T.4N training aircraft. RAF Gr1s were replaced by upgraded Gr3 models along with T.4 trainers. The RN Harrier FRS.1 was successfully deployed during the Falkland War which the United Kingdom (UK) waged against Argentina in the early 1980s. In the late 1980s UK began development of Sea Harrier FRS.2 as a replacement for FRS.1 aircraft. Finally FRS.2 development was dropped in favor of Sea Harrier F/A.2 featuring enhanced capabilities for air defense such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. Sea Harrier F/A.2 is equipped with Blue Vixen radar. Harrier Gr7 along with T.10 trainer was the last Harrier model procured by the RAF during the 20th century. Gr7 performance is very similar to AV-8B Harrier II and is suitable for both strike and air defense missions. In May 2005, BAE Systems concluded Harrier Gr7A program which introduced a series of engine improvements allowing for greater Harrier Gr7 take-off weight of up to 34,000-lb and operation in hot climate. In addition to the Harrier aircraft ordered by UK, BAE Systems also developed further versions for export customers. AV-8A along with TAV-8A trainer was sold to the US Marine Corps. These aircraft were upgraded to the AV-8C standard and retired in the late 1980s. Spain bought the AV-8S and TAV-8S trainer which are also known as the VA.1, VAE.1 or Matador. Spanish Navy's AV-8S were sold to the Royal Thai Navy in the mid-1990s. In the late 1970s UK sold to Indian Navy Sea Harrier FRS.51 aircraft plus T.60 trainers equipped with Blue Fox radar.

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