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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11996936
http://www.channel4.com/news/final-flight-for-harrier-jump-jet
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Bye bye Harrier
AdriaN- Gold
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11996936
http://www.channel4.com/news/final-flight-for-harrier-jump-jet
skyhigh- Best in Show
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Da gen imma ..... 
bcauchi- Best in Show
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Naqbel mieghek Marco, veru spissjaw l-inglizi!!
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bcauchi wrote:Naqbel mieghek Marco, veru spissjaw l-inglizi!!
....and what I think is even worse, they do not have its replacement ready, which will be the F-35 when it will be ready!!, and the british naval version of it seems it will be a normal catapult launched version. In the meantime, my opinion, is that the RAF will suffer a so called 'capability loss' when the harrier is retired, one for sure will be the ability to deploy from anywhere, no runway needed, something uptill now only the harrier is capable of doing.
As for more cuts, have a look at this, it seems that RAF Leuchars in scotland might be closed - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-11991388
iCocker- Best in Show
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Looks like the cuts were due costs media said but I have read a strange comparison, so Tornados are also aging planes, cost to run them looks to be twice [or more] as much as Harriers and for a strange reason RAF kept them and disbanded the Harrier ... might have been as the Harrier was not used by many more countries outside UK? Only Italy, India and some USNavy had Harriers if not mistaken? Performance at war was always excellent, Falklands, GulfWars and Balkan Crisis ...
It is a pity as this one of wonder of technology would be history from now on ... hope RAF will donate or at least 'sell' one to our MAM one day!
It is a pity as this one of wonder of technology would be history from now on ... hope RAF will donate or at least 'sell' one to our MAM one day!
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iCocker wrote:Looks like the cuts were due costs media said but I have read a strange comparison, so Tornados are also aging planes, cost to run them looks to be twice [or more] as much as Harriers and for a strange reason RAF kept them and disbanded the Harrier ... might have been as the Harrier was not used by many more countries outside UK? Only Italy, India and some USNavy had Harriers if not mistaken? Performance at war was always excellent, Falklands, GulfWars and Balkan Crisis ...
It is a pity as this one of wonder of technology would be history from now on ... hope RAF will donate or at least 'sell' one to our MAM one day!
Just a small correction, the US Navy does not use them although they are deployed aboard Assult ships, but the aircraft are operated by the USMC. Spain uses the harrier as well. Italy, Spain and the US use the AV-8B+, while RAF use the GR.7/9. Both the AV-8B+ and Gr.9 have night/day capability, but the major difference between the two is that the AV-8B+ has a radar it is nose adding a BVR capability. Indian Navy is still using the old version of the sea harrier and it is having its own problems too. - http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Indias-Sea-Harrier-Shortage-04774/
As for the the falklands success, it has to be taken into context of the whole scenario.
in nannu pec- Best in Show
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Yes ....Joseph....it has its problems but like Ivan said why axe a reliable cheaper and sturdier aircraft to run before the Tornado...?....This remarkable aircraft is an awesome piece of avionics and aero machinery and it will be a pity to see it go....
Now that its gone from service ....building the Invincible with the legendary Sea Harriers and Seakings will be a much dedicated project which I will enjoy even more
In nannu pec
Now that its gone from service ....building the Invincible with the legendary Sea Harriers and Seakings will be a much dedicated project which I will enjoy even more
In nannu pec
AdriaN- Gold
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I remember them on skynews saying the tornado is useless heavy piece of metal waiting to be shot down 
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IN NANNU PEC wrote:Yes ....Joseph....it has its problems but like Ivan said why axe a reliable cheaper and sturdier aircraft to run before the Tornado...?....This remarkable aircraft is an awesome piece of avionics and aero machinery and it will be a pity to see it go....
Now that its gone from service ....building the Invincible with the legendary Sea Harriers and Seakings will be a much dedicated project which I will enjoy even more
In nannu pec
Tornados are being retired as well, especially where the F.3 is concerned which is nearly out of service and out by 2011. As for the strike versions, all that remain active are GR4/4A, which in terms of operational capability are better than the Harrier in certain aspects such as range and weapons choice/load, + the british harrier lack radar. The Typhoon is operational and its capability is always being increased and upgraded. It seems that the harrier was sacrified and saving the tornado for now, because of cutbacks.
p.s. - the original sea harrier in FRS.1 and later upgraded to FA.2 has been retired since 2006, but it is still in service with the Indian navy and it think you can consider it as a classic aircraft now
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