Posted on 11/15/2011 5:54:43 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
A Harrier is attended by ground crew at an airbase in southern Italy in 1999, when the planes were involved in Nato attacks in the former Yugoslavia
The Royal Navy's entire fleet of Harrier jump jets, the British plane controversially scrapped in last year's defence review, has been saved – by the US military.
All 74 of the planes, which were permanently grounded by the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), are to fly again for the US marines, in a deal that is expected to be closed within a week.
The Ministry of Defence said negotiations were continuing but were in their final stages. And reports in the US suggested the marines were already confidently preparing for the Harriers' arrival.
The sale of the Harriers is bound to raise fresh questions about the wisdom of retiring the much-admired aircraft, which the Americans intend to use until 2025.
Speaking to the NavyTimes, Rear Admiral Mark Heinrich, chief of the US navy's supply corps, said buying the Harriers made sense because many of the jets had been recently upgraded, and the US already had pilots who could fly them.
"We're taking advantage of all the money the Brits have spent on them," he said. "It's like we're buying a car with maybe 15,000 miles on it. These are very good platforms. And we've already got trained pilots."
The US military already has its own fleet of Harriers, and converting the British planes to fire American missiles can be done relatively easily.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Semper Fi.
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Better than China I suppose. Wonder how it affects the F-35.
They are brit - Bumbershoot Bearer.
When he's approaching Vr.
Umbrella and tea come with Harrier Turbo Deluxe option
Isn't this the main point here? I've heard the sentiment that there are 'only two kinds of Harrier pilots, those that have crashed and those that will.'
We have guys that can fly these planes with expertise and skill, so why not get a few more on the cheap?
iirc out wing area is considerably larger than the Brit model, i wonder if we will fly them as is?
That’s what I’m asking. It is an important question. The Harrier TD is more expensive to operate because it requires premium tea.
IIRC, the Harrier jump-jet concept was originally saved by the US Military in the first place.
At least you would have an umbrella to brake your fall.
I thought he was repacking the MP MK VII crew egress device supplied by Mary Poppins Aerospace .
Wings on the AV-8B and the Gr9 are essentially the same. The Brits have an extra pylon/hardpoint and the leading edge is beefier due to the higher incidence of bird strikes in the UK. The differences between the Harrier wing and the Harrier II wing are substantial.
Will the UK even have an army in 10 years?
i thank you sir... i knew one wing was larger but didn't know it was btwn our own planes
God bless the Marines!
:^)
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