Harrier Gr9

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. Harrier Gr9 is a further improvement program aimed at upgrading 60 Gr7s and 10 T.10 trainers to the Gr9 and T.12 standard respectively. Harrier Gr9 aircraft would be operated by both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. The upgraded aircraft would be delivered beginning in 2006 through 2008. Gr9 program focuses on adding smart weapons capabilities such as Paveway IV and Brimstone. Maverick missile, Successor Identification Friend or Foe (SIFF), a Rangeless Airborne Instrumentation and Debriefing System (RAIDS), a Ground Proximity Warning Systems (GPWS), a Secure Communications System and a new Stores Management System would be added to the Gr9 aircraft. Finally, the Harrier GR9 aircraft with Capability B2+ entered service with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy at the end of September 2006. At that moment 24 Harrier GR9s and one T12 trainer were operational. Capability B2+ provides a much-improved navigation solution, a ground proximity warning system, improved communication suite, optimized Maverick missile delivery and design authority clearance for new weapon and sensor configurations. Capability C to be released in December 2006 will add: precision guided bomb (PGB); SIFF (Successor Identification Friend or Foe); and improved RAIDS (Rangeless Airborne Instrumentation Debriefing System). Capability D is planned for 2008 and will provide Brimstone missile, a digital reconnaissance pod and on-aircraft simulated PGB training. Harrier GR9 Capability E is under development and includes Link 16 communications.

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