British Aerospace Harrier GR.9 Aircraft Data
Photo ID 228961 by Sybille Petersen. UK Air Force British Aerospace Harrier GR 9, ZG503
Single-seat, day/night attack aircraft. The BAe/Boeing Harrier is a true tactical aircraft in every sense of the word. Harrier has the distinction of being the only operational combat jet, that can take-off and land vertically. Though it is not often operated in this capacity, V/STOL makes the Harrier ideal for ship-board operations and from the forward edge of the battle area (FEBA).

The GR9 (ground-attack, reconnaissance) is the RAF's latest variant of the Harrier. New airframe improvements, weapons capability and engines mark it as a significant improvement over the previous GR7. GR9A aircraft feature the newer, more-powerful Pegasus Mk107 engine for better hot and high performance in places like Afghanistan.

FOr the last forty years, Harrier has gone to war in every theatre the Royal Air Force and Navy have fought. Most recent participation has been in Iraq and in Afghanistan, in the War on Terror. Royal Navy and Air Force harrier assets were combined in 2006 to form the Joint Harrier Task Force. Harrier GR9/A is expected to remain in service until around 2018, when it is thought the Joint Strike Fighter will be fully operational in British service.
  • Country of Origin: United Kingdom
  • First Flight: 4/30/85
  • Initial Service Date: 2006
  • No. Built: 70
  • No. In Service: 70 (approx.)
  • No. of Hardpoints: 8
  • Crew: 1

Power:

Rolls-Royce Pegasus 105 or 107 turbofan at 21,750 lbf

Weapons:

2 × 30 mm ADEN cannon pods under the fuselage.
4 × LAU-5003 rocket pods (19× CRV7 70 mm rockets each) or 4× Matra rocket pods (18× SNEB 68 mm rockets each)
6 × AIM-9 Sidewinders; or 6× AIM-132 ASRAAM air-to-air missiles
4 × AGM-65 Maverick or 6× Brimstone air-to-ground missiles
Paveway series laser-guided bombs, unguided iron bombs

Dimensions:

Length: 46 ft. 10 in.
Wing Span: 30 ft. 4 in.
Wing Area: 343 sq.ft
Height: 11 ft. 8 in.
Empty Weight: 12,700 lbs
Max. Weight: 31,000 lbs
Max. Ordnance Load: 8,000 lbs

Performance:

Max. Speed: 662 mph
Service Ceiling: 50,000 ft.
Normal Range: 300 nm
Max. Range: 1,751 nm

Operators:

United Kingdom (Air Force, Navy 143)

Random great photos of the British Aerospace Harrier GR.9:

Photo ID 4397 by Paul Tiller. UK Air Force British Aerospace Harrier GR 9, ZG859
Photo ID 11934 by Jason Grant. UK Air Force British Aerospace Harrier GR 9, ZG511
Photo ID 64548 by Tom Gibbons. UK Navy British Aerospace Harrier GR 9, ZG862
Photo ID 148397 by Ian Nightingale. Company Owned BAe Systems British Aerospace Harrier GR 9, ZD319
Photo ID 129142 by Alessandro L.. UK Navy British Aerospace Harrier GR 9, ZG502
Photo ID 10154 by Jim S. UK Air Force British Aerospace Harrier GR 9, ZD410
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