Anti-Ship
The Sea Eagle was a product of the British Aerospace Corporation and was classified as a medium-weight fire-and-forget anti-ship missile. Its introduction occurred in 1985 and has since been fielded by a handful of nations while frontline use of the missile continues today. The Sea Eagle uses an inertial guidance system with active radar homing capabilities and is designed to combat small, medium and large surface vessels (up to carrier-class sizes) despite the enemy use of countermeasures suites. The Sea Eagle has proven adept when launched from both rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft which made the system a given for use on the Sea Harrier (she was essentially an amalgam of both aircraft types). The Sea Eagle is a sea-skimming missile system with a range of up to 68 miles.
Nuclear, Conventional and Practice
As with any aircraft since the days of World War 1, the Sea Harrier also made use of various size conventional drop bombs (also called "iron bombs"). Original Sea Harriers were cleared for use with the WE.177 nuclear bomb as well, this until 1992, with these weapons essentially lightweight (600lb) nuclear-tipped systems intended to deter similar use of such weaponry by the Soviets. It was not uncommon to give any new aircraft design in the Cold War nuclear "tossing" capabilities like this. Practice bombs came in the form of the CBLS 100.
Rocket pods have always been a favored tool in the Harrier war chest and the Sea Harrier was no different. Four of the French Matra 18-shot 68mm rocket pods could be carried aloft as well as Royal Navy 36-shot 51mm pods.
Rounding out the available stores options were 2 x 100-, 190- or 300-gallon drop tanks for extended ranges and loitering times. The 300-gallon versions were used for ferrying the aircraft about while the 190-gallon served as an improvement over the original 100-gallon types beginning use in August of 1982. A reconnaissance pod could be utilized on those recce missions as needed.
Reconnoitering Sea Harriers
Sea Harriers were built with a basic F.95 oblique bomb camera installed along the starboard side of the aircraft nose assembly and featured an adjustable shutter speed of up to 1/3,000 seconds. The system was "basic" in that it was restricted to daytime use and was primarily utilized to help target enemy surface ships. During the Falklands conflict, this camera proved all but useless in assessing the damage post-strike of bombs dropped on Port Stanley.
The Sea Harrier FA2
The FA2 appeared as a mid-life upgrade to the FRS1 and improved upon the airframe, avionics, armament capabilities, cockpit and radar of the former. The upgrade came about when BAe was contracted to complete a definition study of their product and recommend improvements. Initial flight of the FRS.2 prototype was on September 19th, 1988. Thirty-two FRS.1 models were tabbed for conversion to this new standard while others appeared as "new-build" systems. The designation of F/A.2 was used as a replacement for the initial designation of FRS.2. Deliveries of this new Sea Harrier (conversions followed by new-builds) began in April of 1993 and lasted until 1998.
In the FA2, the Blue Fox AI radar of old was modernized to the more powerful Blue Vixen system fitting an all-new radome. Like the Blue Fox before it, the Blue Vixen was a multi-mode pulse Doppler radar unit but now applicable to operations in all-weather with tracking and targeting of multiple land- and air-based enemies through an improved suite. Additionally, the system allowed for a track-while-scan mode and "lookdown-shootdown" capability. HOTAS (Hands-On Throttle and Stick) and multifunction displays all greeted the new Sea Harrier model as did a slightly lengthened airframe.
AMRAAM capability was brought online with this FA2 and these aircraft were fielded in anger over Bosnia by No. 889 Squadron off of the deck of the HMS Invincible. Performance for the FA2 included a maximum speed of 735 miles per hour with a service ceiling of approximately 51,000 feet and a rate-of-climb equal to 50,000 feet per minute. The ferry range was listed at 2,000 miles with a combat radius of 620 miles. Maximum take-off weight was listed at 26,200lbs.
Indian Sea Harriers
India initially maintained a healthy collection of 30 Sea Harriers (designated as FRS51 and based on the FRS1) beginning in December of 1983 with these beginning service the INS Vikrant and ultimately switching to the INS Viraat. Since then, the collection has dwindled to a paltry 13 operational systems. Additionally, some seven Indian pilots have been killed in 17 crashes involving these Sea Harriers. Regardless, the Indian Navy is working on upgrading a fleet of 15 Sea Harriers (with help from Israel) and intends on fielding the system for a few more years (perhaps up through 2012 for the time being). Upgrades to the system will include support for the Rafael Derby medium-range air-to-air missile and installation of Israeli Elta ELM/M-2032 radar. Indian Sea Harriers make up the 300 Naval Squadron and represent the only foreign use of the Sea Harrier model.
Sea Harrier Variants
Since the Sea Harrier was branched off of the land-based Harrier GR.3 production models (and was only acquired in limited quantity), it maintains only a handful of variants to its name. The initial production version became the FRS1 (formally FRS.1) and entered service in April of 1969. The FRS1 was powered by a single Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk 104 series turbofan engine allowing for a maximum speed of 1,185km per hour with a cruising speed equal to 850km per hour at 36,000 feet. High altitude combat radius was limited to 750km. Maximum take-off weight was 26,200lbs.
These specifications were improved with the arrival of the FA2 (formally using the FRS.2 and F/A.2 designations). It is these production models that first featured the powerful Blue Vixen radar pulse Doppler radar system and the first British aircraft to add compatibility for the American-made AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missile. The final FA2 was delivered in January of 1999 and can be considered the definitive Sea Harrier in the group.
The FRS51 was the export version of the FRS1 production model and delivered to the Indian Navy. These Sea Harriers featured compatibility with the French Matra R550 Magic air-to-air missiles. Twenty-three such aircraft were delivered to the Indian Navy beginning in 1983.
Like its land-based counterpart, the Sea Harrier added a collection of two-seat trainers to its production mix. The T.4N was a navalized form of the land-based T.Mk 2 used by the Royal Air Force. These were delivered sans radar and minimal Sea Harrier instrumentation and were used to train would-be Sea Harrier pilots on the ins-and-outs encountered with the FRS1 production model. Four T.Mk 4Ns were delivered to the Royal Navy.
The T.Mk 8 was a similar two-seat trainer based on the FA2 production model and, again, delivered without the radar system. Seven such T.Mk 8's were delivered to the Royal Navy and ultimately retired from service as of March of 2006. The T.Mk 60 was the export version of the Royal Navy T.Mk 4N and delivered to the Indian Navy. Four of these twin-seat Sea Harriers were sold to India and utilized as land-based trainers.
Sea Harriers in the Falklands Campaign
The Argentine dictatorship moved in to occupy the Falkland Islands group in 1982 and the British moved into action to protect their interest. Both the Harrier GR.Mk 3 and Blue Fox/Sidewinder-equipped FRS1 were the two Harrier types involved. Sea Harriers arrived in their identifiable "Extra Dark Sea Grey" paint scheme as part of the British Task force making the 8,000 mile journey to the region. The Falklands Island chain was a collection of seemingly useless islands off of the southeastern coast of Argentina. The Argentine dictatorship saw fit to invade and wrestle these islands from British control, laying claim to them as their own. The Falklands War was the first time that Harriers of any type were to see action.
Twenty eight Sea Harriers in total were available for use by the Royal Navy with 24 of these split between the HMS Invincible and the HMS Hermes. A merchant vessel, the MV Atlantic Conveyor, became home for the remaining two Sea Harriers as well as six RAF GR.Mk 3s. No sooner were these Harriers transitioned to the HMS Hermes that the MV Atlantic Conveyor was struck and sunk by an Argentine French-made Exocet missile.
The first Sea Harrier attack sortie occurred on May 1st, 1982. Two separate strikes involved low-level swipes using cannons and cluster bombs against Argentine targets at the Port Stanley airfield and the Goose Green airfield. In response to the attacks, Argentine forces went to the air. The Sea Harriers proved their air-to-air worthiness by claiming an English Electric Canberra, a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk and a Dassault Mirage with no Sea Harrier losses. The Sea Harrier fared equally well in their secondary roles when tasked as such but were relegated to air defense as more and more RAF GR.Mk 3 dedicated ground strike models arrived in the theater. From then on, the Sidewinder-equipped Sea Harriers operated in Combat Air Patrol (CAP) sorties as needed. Eventually, GR.Mk 3 ground attack models were fitted with Sidewinder-ready outer pylons for self-defense.
Further actions involved the Sea Harrier in the amphibious landing operation at San Carlos Bay. Despite more Argentine response through the air, the Sea Harriers maintained the advantage against the ill-trained Argentine air force pilots. The British recorded 23 enemy aircraft downed to just one Sea Harrier loss, and this being to Argentine ground fire. In one such engagement, a pair of Sea Harriers engaged and dispatched no fewer than four Dassault Mirage IIIEA fighters.
The Falklands Conflict brought about some in-the-field pathwork for the Harrier line. Countermeasures had always proven quite simplistic and lacking for the Harrier so a Tracor ALE-40 chaff dispenser was fitted as were Marconi Sky Shadow jammer pods, the latter taking the place of the cannon fairings.
Sea Harriers covered some 2,000 sorties in the conflict from the available 28 airframes. Just six Sea Harriers were lost in the conflict with two of these related to Argentine ground fire and the other four to accident. No Argentine aircraft could lay a single claim to destroying a British Sea Harrier in the war. In turn, British warplanes netted 32 total Argentine aircraft destroyed (21 of these through air-to-air combat). When all was said and done, this successful debut afforded the Sea Harrier one of the best air-to-air kill ratios of all time with a 90% overall mission effectiveness rating - a value that few aircraft, if any, could ever match. At their peak usage, two Sea Harriers were being launched on patrol every 20 minutes.
If the release of Sea Harriers to combat in the war had any limitations it was in the operating radius afforded to the pilots. As the Argentine Exocet-armed warplanes proved early in the conflict, British naval ships could be hit if within range to the Argentine mainland. As such, the HMS Invincible and HMS Hermes were kept a safe distance away from the heat of the action, in effect, shortening their operational range considerably. Consequently, the fuel-thirsty mounts of the Argentine pilots also limited the range and window of opportunity from which to operate in when encountering British fighters and bombers.
Though Sea Harrier in the conflict enjoyed their healthy kill-to-loss ratio, the British never attained true air superiority. Argentine aircraft could consistently get airborne if needed and it was only in kill numbers that the RAF/Royal Navy really held the advantage. The British lacked any sort of effective Airborne Early Warning (AEW) network at the time and the harsh environment of the South Atlantic worked against both parties in the conflict. Regardless, the Sea Harrier proved her worth and the Falklands War ended in a decided loss for the Argentine dictatorship.
Harrier FA. Mk 2
The Falklands War also provided for a real-time assessment stage in realizing the inherent strengths and weaknesses of the Harrier line. While some weaknesses were eventually rectified through in-the-field modifications, some were left to future improvements when possible. The Blue Fox radar did its job admirably well enough once in the field, but it was an essentially limited air-to-air implement. Despite the Sea Harrier being available for operations from sea, and therefore making enemy ships a potential target to them, the Sea Harrier had no anti-ship capabilities. The Royal Navy knew it had a proven winner on its hands but it also knew that it could be bettered in many regards.
Beginning in 1985, the Royal Navy moved to modify two Sea Harrier FRS. Mk 1 models. To alleviate the air-to-air limitations, the Blue Fox radar was replaced by the more powerful Blue Vixen radar, allowing for track-while-scan mode and true lock-down, shoot-down capability while being tied to the powerful AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missile. Provision was made to mount the AMRAAM on wing pylons and two underfuselage hardpoints in place of the little-used cannon pods. The Blue Vixen, attached to a Marconi Sky Guardian ECM system, was tested aboard a modified BAC-111. Anti-ship prowess was addressed by the implementation of the BAe Sea Eagle anti-ship missile support. In one swoop, the Royal Navy now had a multi-faceted and lethal performer at its disposal. The rear fuselage was of all new construction while a new radome was fitted at to the forward fuselage. Wing leading edges were now kinked and a new navalized Pegasus Mk 106 engine of 21,500lbf (based on the USMC AV-8B powerplant) was fitted. Cockpit changes included the integration of HOTAS (Hands-On Throttle and Stick) to help simplify pilot workload in a pressure environment. The new Sea Harrier was designated as the FRS Mk 2 though a later name change resulted in the redesignation of the system to the FA.2 ("FA" for "Fighter, Attack").
The first of two Sea Harrier FA.2s achieved flight on September 19th, 1988 with the production contract coming on December 7th, 1988. The second evaluation model followed airborne on March 8th, 1989 and this same unit went to the air with the Blue Vixen system on May 24th, 1990. The production contract called for the conversion of 31 total FRS.1 models to the new FA.2 build while a further 10 new-build FA.2s were ordered. Carrier testing was accomplished over a 9-day period in November of 1990 with AMRAAM clearance tests finished in 1991.
Over Bosnia and Kosovo
The Sea Harrier was unleashed in limited numbers over the skies of Europe in the war in Bosnia (1991 through 1995) and later in the 1999 operation Allied Force. One Sea Harrier was shot down by an enemy surface to air missile though the pilot ejected safely over friendly territory. The Sea Harrier represented in this conflict were Sea Harrier FA.2's complete with AMRAAM capability operating from the flight deck of the HMS Invincible.
The Beginning of the End
With the high-tech joint venture Lockheed F-35 Lightning II set to replace a plethora of aircraft (including the Harrier series) when it becomes operational sometime in 2012, the Harrier is perhaps writing the final chapters of her well-established and irrefutable legacy. The Sea Harrier has already been retired by the Royal Navy as of March 2006, replaced by the Harrier GR.Mk 9 serie,s but the writing seems to be on the wall nonetheless for this magnificent British aircraft. The Sea Harrier had an additional shot at longevity between the time it was contemplated for retirement and when the F-35 would be coming online but the financial numbers associated with keeping the aircraft aloft for a short six years worked against the Sea Harrier.
The 150 F-35s on order are expected to operate from Britain's new Queen Elizabeth-class future carrier expected to enter service between 2014 and 2018. The HMS Queen Elizabeth and the HMS Prince of Wales are the two ships so far slated for the class. Each vessel would accommodate up to 36 advanced F-35's with VTOL capability and stealth characteristics.
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