Sea Harrier
Sea Harrier FA2
The FA2 is a single seat multi-role day/night all-weather aircraft, whose roles in Air Defence and Surface Attack are interchangeable according to the tactical requirement. It is the only true multi-role jet aircraft in service in the UK inventory. Optimised for operations from ships at sea, it's short take-off and vertical landing capability has dramatically enhanced the ability of the Invincible class of Aircraft Carriers to project air power in support of UK interests worldwide.
The FA2 (Fighter Attack) is a development of its predecessor the Sea Harrier FRS1 (Fighter/ Reconnaissance/Strike) concentrating on the avionics and weapons system of the aircraft giving it a much improved air-to-air combat capability, essential to its main task of providing a carrier group with air defence. The Blue Vixen radar coupled with the medium range AIM-120 AMRAAM missile gives the FA2 the ability to engage hostile aircraft before they come into visual range. Although the main task of the FA2 was air defence it had the capability to be used in the ground attack role, however, the GR7/GR9 would be the first choice of aircraft for this type of mission.| Length | 14m |
| Engine | A single Rolls Royce Pegasus vectored thrust turbofan. Static thrust 21,500lb. |
| Weapons | AMRAAM Air to Air Missiles Sidewinder Air to Air Missiles 2 x 30mm Cannons Bombs (including 1000lb, 540lb and LGB) Self Defence chaff and flares Reconnaissance camera |
| Radar | Ferranti "Blue Vixen" track-while-scan, multi-mode, Pulse Doppler |
| Speed | 600kts |
| Endurance | 1hr 30mins (on Combat Air Patrol (CAP) 100nm from Aircraft Carrier) |
The Future
On the 28th February 2002, the Armed Forces Minster Adam Ingram announced that the Joint Harrier Force will become an all ground attack harrier force upgrading the Royal Air Force GR7s to GR9s and retiring the Royal Navy FA2s. This is to 'ensure a credible expeditionary offensive capability is maintained until the aircraft leaves service. Supporting this decision the Ministry of Defence said:
"These days we don't fight the kind of wars where our ships need defending from enemy warplanes far out at sea. Aircraft Carriers are now mostly supporting shore operations by flying strike missions and it makes far better sense to spend our money on Harriers which can do that best. If necessary, we can rely on coalition forces to provide the outer air defence for surface ships."
An added level to the layered air defence will be provided by the new Type 45 Destroyer equipped with the sophisticated and lethal Principal Anti Air Missile System (PAAMS) which is capable of controlling several missiles in the air at any one time, each one of which could engage individual targets, preventing attackers from swamping the fleet's air defences.
It is intended that the Harrier force be completely replaced by the Future Joint Combat Aircraft (FJCA) also referred to as the Joint Strike Fighter which is due to enter service in 2012 and be operated from the Royal Navy's Future Aircraft Carriers (CVF).