BaE Sea Harrier

RN 98 built

In Brief

Origins: The Hawker Siddeley Harrier (1967)

The Hawker Siddeley Harrier was the world’s first operational vertical/short takeoff and landing (VTOL/STOVL) jet fighter. Developed in the 1960s by Hawker Siddeley, it was designed to operate from short runways, forward air bases, or unprepared surfaces, making it highly adaptable for combat situations.
VTOL/STOVL Capability: The Harrier could take off and land vertically using its unique Pegasus turbofan engine, which featured four rotating nozzles for vectored thrust.
Flexible Deployment: It could be used in frontline roles without needing large airbases, allowing it to operate from makeshift runways or even roads.
Weapons: Armed with 30mm ADEN cannons, air-to-air missiles (like AIM-9 Sidewinder), bombs, and rockets.
No Radar: Unlike the Sea Harrier, the original Harrier relied on visual targeting and ground attack capabilities rather than advanced radar.

Development and Variants

Harrier GR.1 (1969): First production model used by the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Harrier GR.3: Improved version with upgraded sensors, electronic countermeasures, and more powerful avionics.
AV-8A Harrier: Export version for the U.S. Marine Corps, later leading to further American developments.
The Hawker Siddeley Harrier led to the Harrier Jump Jet family, evolving into the Harrier II series (e.g., BAE Harrier GR.5/GR.7/GR.9 and AV-8B Harrier II), which featured a redesigned wing, more power, and better avionics.

The BAE Sea Harrier (1978)

The BAE Sea Harrier was a British naval jet fighter designed for aircraft carrier operations. It was a development of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, with modifications for naval use, including radar, an improved cockpit, and carrier landing capabilities. It was primarily used by the Royal Navy and the Indian Navy.

Carateristics

VTOL/STOVL Capability: It could take off and land vertically or on short runways, thanks to its vectoring thrust nozzles.
Blue Fox/Blue Vixen Radar: Equipped with the Blue Fox radar (later replaced by Blue Vixen in upgraded versions).
Armament: Carried AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, bombs, rockets, and a 30mm ADEN cannon.
Falklands War Fame: The Sea Harrier was pivotal in the Falklands War (1982), securing air superiority against Argentine aircraft.
Operators: Used mainly by the Royal Navy and Indian Navy (as the Sea Harrier FRS.51).
The Sea Harrier FA2, an upgraded version, featured better avionics, improved weapons, and a more powerful radar. However, the type was retired from British service in 2006, replaced by the Harrier GR9 and later the F-35B Lightning II.

The sea Harrier in action

Falklands War (1982) – Royal Navy’s Finest Hour

The Sea Harrier FRS.1 played a critical role in the Falklands War between the UK and Argentina. It was deployed from British aircraft carriers HMS Invincible and HMS Hermes, proving its effectiveness in both air-to-air combat and ground attack roles.
Air Superiority: The Sea Harrier shot down 20+ Argentine aircraft without a single air-to-air loss, achieving an incredible kill ratio.
Weapons Used: Equipped with AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles, it outperformed older Argentine Mirage III and A-4 Skyhawks in dogfights.
Ski-Jump Operations: Used the carrier ski-jump system to take off with more weapons and fuel, extending its combat range.
Ground Attack Role: Conducted precision strikes on enemy airfields, radar stations, and ground forces.
Survivability: Its low radar signature and maneuverability helped evade Argentine anti-aircraft fire.

Famous Air Battles:

May 1, 1982: First British air combat kill when a Sea Harrier downed an Argentine Mirage III.
May 21, 1982: Successfully intercepted multiple A-4 Skyhawks attacking Royal Navy ships.
June 8, 1982: Sea Harriers defended against a mass Argentine attack on British landing forces.

Indian Navy Operations (Sea Harrier FRS.51 & LUSH Upgrade)

India operated the Sea Harrier FRS.51 from the INS Viraat aircraft carrier. While it never saw major combat, it played a crucial role in patrolling the Indian Ocean and deterring threats.

Key Missions:

Kargil Conflict (1999): Deployed for reconnaissance and maritime patrol
Modernization (LUSH Program): Upgraded with Derby BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missiles, improved radar, and digital cockpit.

Retirements & Legacy

Royal Navy retired the Sea Harrier FA2 in 2006, replacing it with the Harrier GR9 and later the F-35B Lightning II.
Indian Navy retired its Sea Harriers in 2016, replacing them with MiG-29Ks on the INS Vikramaditya.
Why the Sea Harrier Was Special:
✔ First carrier-based VTOL fighter with radar
✔ Proven combat success (especially in the Falklands)
✔ Pioneered the use of ski-jump launches
✔ Low losses despite heavy combat use

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Specifications
Crew:
Lenght	46 ft 6 in (14.17 m)
Wingspan	25 ft 3 in (7.70 m)
Height	12 ft 2 in (3.71 m)
Wing area:	201.1 sq ft (18.68 m2)
Empty weight	14,585 lb (6,616 kg)
Gross Weight
Max TO Weight
Propulsion:	Rolls-Royce Pegasus 106 vectored thrust turbofan engine, 21,500 lbf (96 kN)
Wing loading:	130.28 lb/sq ft (636.1 kg/m2)
Speed:	Mach 0.94/sea level, Mach 0.97 altitude
Service ceiling:	51,000 ft (16,000 m)
Rate of climb:	50,000 ft/min (250 m/s)
Range:	Combat range: 400 nmi (460 mi, 740 km), 1,740 nmi taxi
Ferry range:	2,000 mi, 3,220 km.
Gun Armament	2× 30 mm ADEN (130)
Armament underwing	4× under-wing pylon stations, fuselage pylon 8,000 lb (3,630 kg) payload

Gallery

Author's illustrations: Types and liveries

Sea Harrier FRS Mk1, 899 NAS, HMS Hermes Falklands 1982

Indian FRS-51 300 Sqn. INS Vikrant 1983

AV8S Matador, SPS Dédalo 1980

Harrier FA-2 899 NAS HMS Invincible Adriatic 1994

Photos

Sources/read more

Books

Lon O. Nordeen Harrier II, Naval Institute Press, 2006.
Hunter, Jamie (2005). Sea Harrier: The Last All-British Fighter. Midland Publishing.
Bull, Stephen (2004). Encyclopedia of Military Technology and Innovation. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing.
Chant, Chris. Air War in the Falklands 1982 (Osprey Combat Aircraft #28). Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2001.
Donald, David, ed. (1997). "British Aerospace Sea Harrier". The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Barnes & Noble.
Dunnell, Ben, ed. (February 2011). "Farewell to the Harrier". Classic Aircraft. Shepperton, Middlesex: Ian Allan Publishing.
Transition to Triumph: History of the Indian Navy, 1965-1975 G. M. Hiranandani, Lancer Publishers, 2000
Eden, Paul, ed. (2004). The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. London, UK: Amber Books.
Ellis, Ken (2016). Wrecks and Relics 25th Edition. Manchester: Crecy Publishing.