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UK Sells 74 Harriers To The US

Comments

  • #2
    muppet01
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 241 ✭✭muppet01


    The term "jump jets" drives me gaga!!!! It reminds me of the coverage of the falklands


  • #3
    sparrowcar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,931 ✭✭✭sparrowcar


    Yanks getting a bargain on this one...:rolleyes:


  • #4
    dogmatix
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭dogmatix


    Picture in the link shows Sea Harriers - I don't think the Marines have ever operated that version of the Harrier and would not be about to start operating it now.

    Dig a little deeper into the story and you find that they may be using the RAF harriers as spare parts for their existing fleet rather then operating them as actual aircraft. I'd imagine that converting Harrier GR's to AV-8B's would be very difficult even though they are the same basic airframe and only cost 34 million. So spare parts backups makes more sense?

    Then again - it is Sky News, the TV equivalent of the Daily Mail.


  • #5
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    More info here...
    The latest upgraded model, GR 9A is similar in configuration to the Marines’ AV-8B night attack version. Although the British variants lack the radar carried with the AV-8B, their ground attack capabilities are similar. Furthermore, the 9A shares a common engine with the AV-8B – the Rolls-Royce F402-RR-408.
    possibly replace aging two-seat F-18D Hornet strike fighters currently used for night attacks, Navy Times reports

    http://defense-update.com/20111113_u-s-marine-corps-negotiates-buying-decommissioned-british-harriers.html
    http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=8225756&c=AIR&s=TOP

    I always though it was daft for the UK to get rid of them. Very useful aircraft. The RAF always seems to take priority.


  • #6
    Tenger
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 10,054 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    dogmatix wrote: »
    ..........Dig a little deeper into the story and you find that they may be using the RAF harriers as spare parts for their existing fleet rather then operating them as actual aircraft. I'd imagine that converting Harrier GR's to AV-8B's would be very difficult even though they are the same basic airframe and only cost 34 million. So spare parts backups makes more sense?......
    Spot on.
    There was an aviation article (Combat Aircraft I think?) a month or two ago that reported this. All remaining Harrier GR7/9's are being sold off to use as spare parts for the USMC. Remember that as the F-35B is well behind schedule (and possibly threatened) the USMC need those RAF/RN Harriers to keep their AV-8B's in the air.


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  • #7
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    The airframes themselves have lot of life on them. Which lend credence that they may convert them and fly them. I assume the problem with their own aircraft is the airframes not just parts. Just my own theory.


  • #8
    Delancey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,451 ✭✭✭Delancey


    I find it impossible to accept that anyone could look to use Harriers as replacements for the Hornet.


  • #9
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    Why? They are mainly used as bomb trucks, for CAS.


  • #10
    Tenger
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 10,054 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    Delancey wrote: »
    I find it impossible to accept that anyone could look to use Harriers as replacements for the Hornet.

    The USMC aren't doing this. They are going to use the ex-UK Harriers to keep their own Harrier fleet in operation, they will continue to operate AV-8B's off their assault ships, while the F/A-18's will operate off the carriers.

    (As an aside the Harriers were very popular with the coalition troops in Afghanistan due to their CAS capabilities)


    The USMC is still planning to replace both aircraft with the F-35B.


  • #11
    OS119
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,518 ✭✭✭OS119


    Delancey wrote: »
    I find it impossible to accept that anyone could look to use Harriers as replacements for the Hornet.

    my understanding is that the USMC Hornets are utterly shagged out, and that the USMC need to keep their Harrier fleet going/expand it to plug the holes left by Hornets being retired because of the wear on the airframes.

    had the RAF GR9's not been available they would have been in a very sticky position: buy replacement SuperHornets and kiss goodbye to the F-35B purchase, or ask the USN to step into the USMC's cherished CAS role on an interim basis and in a few years time find the USN saying to the DoD 'hey, we can fullfill the USMC's fixed wing role so you can bin the F-35B' - the most complicated, most expensive and least capable version of the F-35 programme.

    the DoD hates the 'B', isn't that keen on have two seperate aviation structures within the USN, and so would jump on that like a wolf in the fold.

    the Harrier buy is all about the F-35.


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