British Harrier GR9 Enters Service

Released on Wednesday, October 11, 2006

The upgraded Harrier GR9 has entered service with the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy after a half a billion pound improvement package.

The iconic multi-role combat aircraft which first entered service more than 35 years ago has been upgraded with state of the art technology, which has doubled its effectiveness as a precision ground attack aircraft. The unique aircraft is able to vector its thrust, enabling it to operate from short landing strips and to take off and land vertically.

As the GR9 was rolled out at RAF Cottesmore the home of Joint Force Harrier (JFH) it was hinted that it could be deployed to Afghanistan early next year.

All 69 of the RAF's existing GR7 aircraft are being converted at RAF Cottesmore to high tech Joint Force GR9s by BAe Systems, which has converted the first batch on time and on budget. 24 of the 69 are now in service with 20 (Reserve) Sqn, which is the Operational Evaluation Unit, and 1 (Fighter) Sqn.

The upgrades will allow the aircraft to use advanced new and higher numbers of precision weaponry such as Paveway IV 500lb smart bombs and Brimstone anti-armour missiles. Brimstone is a true fire-and-forget all-weather weapon which means the GR9 could attack up to 12 ground targets simultaneously compared with one or two with GR7.

Under the Joint Update and Maintenance Programme (JUMP) the balance of 45 Harriers will be converted by 2009. The programme also includes converting the existing two-seat T10s to T12 as well as flight simulator facilities. The programme also allows for future upgrades to GR9s.

The aim of the £500 million programme is to extend the effectiveness of the Harrier to the point when the next generation of joint ground attack land and sea-based combat aircraft becomes operational.