BAe Harrier II (UK versions) - Technical data and discussion

[Gunjob 866]

This thread is WIP, please DM or post any contributions you wish to make. 

 

Harrier II GR.5/GR.5A

The GR5 was the RAF's first model of the second-generation Harrier. The GR5 considerably differed from the USMC AV-8B in terms of avionics, armaments and countermeasures. Forty one GR5s were built. 

 

The GR5A was a minor variant, incorporating design changes in anticipation of the GR7 upgrade. Twenty-one GR5As were built.

 

Spoiler

 

Weapons

• 2 x 25mm ADEN (100 rounds per gun)
• 4 x AIM-9G/L
• 4 x ASRAAM (trialed)
• 6 x CRV7/LAU 5002 (42 rockets)
• 6 x CRV7/LAU 5003 (114 rockets)
• 6 x SNEB/Matra 155 (108 rockets)
• 5 x 1000lb Bombs (RET/FF/MFBF)
• 7 x 540lb Bombs
• 7 x BL-755 Cluster bombs
• 5 x CBU-87 Cluster bombs
• 4 x AGM-65 Maverick ( E )
• 4 x Paveway II 1000lbs 
• 6 x Paveway II 500lbs 
• 2 x Paveway III 2000lbs
• TIALD in place of a gunpod

 

Also the manual states loads of US ordinance in the HUD settings, naturally as Harrier 2 was a joint project she was able to carry everything the AV-8B could also carry. 

 

• 7 x 500lbs MK-82
• 7 x 250lbs MK-81
• Unknown number of GBU-12B Laser/Thermal
• Unknown number of GPU-2/A Gun Pod
• 5 x MK-20 (CBU-1000 cluster bomb)
• 5 x CBU-59/B (anti-personnel cluster bombs)
• 5 x CBU-72/B (fuel air explosive)

 

Countermeasures

• 4 x BOL 304 Dispensers (640 chaff) The IR countermeasures were still being developed for the BOL at this time so it's doubtful it had access to them. 
• 2 x AN/ALE-40 (60 Flares/Chaff total)
• 1 x Phimat Chaff Pod (216 chaff) This would replace a sidewinder and thus you'd also lose a BOL rail. 
• RWR which is also tied into the MAWS, automatic chaff release can be configured based of the RWR feedback.
• MAWS for the rear 180deg of the aircraft for automatic flare/chaff release. ARI 23348/1
• AN/ALQ-184 Defensive ECM Pod
• Zeus EW system ARI 23333/1 Marconi Defence Systems

 

Sensors

• WIP

 

 

Harrier II GR.7/GR.7A

The GR7 is an upgraded model of the GR5. The first GR7 conducted its maiden flight in May 1990, and made its first operational deployment in August 1995 over the former Yugoslavia.

The GR7A feature an uprated Pegasus 107 engine. GR7As upgraded to GR9 standard retain the A designation as GR9As. The Mk 107 engine provides around 3,000 lbf (13 kN) extra thrust over the Mk 105's 21,750 lbf (98 kN) thrust.

Spoiler

Weapons

• 2 x 25mm ADEN (100 rounds per gun)
• 4 x AIM-9G/L/M (Also maybe Li)
• 4 x ASRAAM (trialed)
• 6 x CRV7/LAU 5002 (42 rockets)
• 6 x CRV7/LAU 5003 (114 rockets)
• 6 x SNEB/Matra 155 (108 rockets)
• 5 x 1000lb Bombs (RET/FF/MFBF)
• 7 x 540lb Bombs
• 7 x BL-755 Cluster bombs
• 5 x CBU-87 Cluster bombs
• 4 x AGM-65 Maverick ( E, F, F2, G, G2, JX and K)
• 2 x ALARM ARM (Pictured next to two at airshow, nothing confirmed.)
• 4 x Paveway II 1000lbs 
• 6 x Paveway II/IV 500lbs
• 2 x Paveway III 2000lbs
• 4 x Enhanced Paveway II 1000lbs
• TIALD in place of a gunpod
• Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod

 

Countermeasures

• 4 x BOL 304 Dispensers (640 chaff/IRCM's) 
• 2 x TACDS (V) 10 dispensers (AN/ALE-47) (30 Flares total)
• 1 x Phimat Chaff Pod (216 chaff) This would replace a sidewinder and thus you'd also lose a BOL rail. 
• RWR which is also tied into the MAWS, automatic chaff release can be configured based of the RWR feedback.
• MAWS for the rear 180deg of the aircraft for automatic flare/chaff release. ARI 23348/1
• Zeus EW system ARI 23333/1 Marconi Defence Systems

 

Sensors

• Dual mode tracker (Hughes AN/ASB-19(V)2)
• Forward looking infra-red system (ARI 23444 GEC Avionics)

 

 

Harrier II GR.9/GR.9a 

The Harrier GR9 was the last of the Harrier 'Jump Jets' originating from the 1960s. The GR9 programme which incorporated a major upgrade to the aircraft's avionics and weapons systems enabled the aircraft to carry a variety of current and future weapons. The GR.9A was the Pegasus MK.107 engine rated at 106kN of thrust.

Spoiler

 

Weapons

• 2 x 25mm ADEN (100 rounds per gun)
• 4 x AIM-9L/M
• 4 x ASRAAM (Trials only)
• 6 x CRV7/LAU 5002 (48 rockets)
• 6 x CRV7/LAU 5003 (114 rockets)
• 6 x SNEB/Matra 155 (108 rockets)
• 5 x 1000lb Bombs (RET/FF/MFBF)
• 7 x BL-755 Cluster bombs
• 7 x 540lb Bombs
• 5 x CBU-87 Cluster bombs
• 4 x AGM-65 Maverick ( E, F, F2, G, G2, JX and K)
• 4 x Paveway II 1000lbs 
• 6 x Paveway IV 500lbs
• 2 x Paveway III 2000lbs
• Enhanced Paveway II/III 6x500lbs, 4x1000lbs & 2x2000lbs guided bombs
• 18 x Brimstone 
• Storm Shadow Cruise Missile (likely a maximum of two)
• Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod

 

Countermeasures

• 4 x BOL 304 Dispensers (640 chaff/IRCM's) 
• 2 x TACDS (V) 10 dispensers (AN/ALE-47) (30 Flares total)
• RWR which is also tied into the MAWS, automatic chaff release can be configured based of the RWR feedback.
• MAWS for the rear 180deg of the aircraft for automatic flare/chaff release. ARI 23348/1
• Zeus EW system ARI 23333/1 Marconi Defence Systems

 

Sensors

• Dual mode tracker (Hughes AN/ASB-19(V)2)
• Forward looking infra-red system (ARI 23444 GEC Avionics)

 

Version Control

 

Spoiler

• 1.0 - Original post
• 1.1 - SH FA.2 added
• 1.2 - Updated title to BAe Harrier 2
• 1.3 - Update FA.2 sidewinders to include "M"
• 1.4 - Updated the GR.7 to include ALARM ARM's
• 1.5 - Formatting 
• 1.5 - Added Paveway II x2 and Paveway IV x8 to GR.5/7 
• 1.6 - TIALD capability added to GR.5/7
• 1.7 - 2x Paveway III added to GR.5/7
• 1.8 - Added the first pass at the GR.9 + formatting updates.
• 1.9 - 18 x Brimstone on GR.9/A  and clarified E-Paveway quantities. 
• 2.0 - Added AIM-9Li as a possibility for GR.7/A
• 2.1 - Added some images
• 2.2 - Formatting, correcting some references
• 2.3 - Updated Countermeasure descriptions and added sensors
• 2.4 - Updates to the FA.2 section (clarification of CM loadouts.)
• 2.5 - Clarified AMRAAM types used on FA.2 & Included ASRAAM on GR.9/A
• 2.6 - Changed max number of 500lb Paveway IV to 6x, compatibility with pylons 1A/7A is in question. 
• 2.7 - Number of Mavericks increased to 4 (all)
• 2.8 - Updated Sniper for GR.7, confirmed by LockMart marketing materials. 
• 2.9 - 1000lb Paveway II corrected to 4x
• 3.0 - clarified ALARMS on GR.7 and removed from GR.9 due to records on UK parliament, stating GR.9s lack of ALARM capability 
• 3.1 - Added Storm Shadow Cruise Missile to GR9
• 3.2 - SH moved to own thread
• 3.3 - Added AIM-9M to GR.7/A
• 3.4 - Updated bomb numbers for GR.5/7/9
• 3.5 - Updated rocket payloads (all)
• 3.6 - Updated Paveway II 500lb capability GR.5/7
• 3.7 - Maverick's cleared for use updated.
• 3.8 - Added E-Paveway 1000lb to GR.7/A and 25mm ADEN to GR.9/A
• Added ASRAAM to 5/7 as trialed

 

Edited January 5 by Gunjob

[TerikG2014 1,328]

56 minutes ago, Gunjob said:

Sea Harrier FA.2

Upgrade of FRS1 fleet in 1988, featuring the Blue Vixen Pulse-Doppler radar and the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile.[24]

Ehhh not really  harrier II as its an upgraded Shar and not part of the Harrier II program but still want to see it lol

Edited May 30, 2022 by TerikG2014

[Gunjob 866]

Just now, TerikG2014 said:

Ehhh not really  harrier II as its an upgraded Shar and not part of the Harrier II program

Carried the same engine (for the most part), and was a generational improvement to the FRS.1. Seems silly to have a thread for just the FA.2 so I thought I'd squeeze it in here. 

[Flame2512 3,112]

Looking good. The Sea Harrier FA.2 could carry AIM-9M, so you can add those to the post if you want.

[AVROVULCANXH558 285]

I remember seeing a photo of a Harrier II with ALARMs, and stupidly forgot to save it. Does anyone have this photo or know where to find it?

[Gunjob 866]

49 minutes ago, AVROVULCANXH558 said:

I remember seeing a photo of a Harrier II with ALARMs, and stupidly forgot to save it. Does anyone have this photo or know where to find it?

https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/3/6/6/5862663.jpg?v=v4aa52c103cd

Found it. Will update the post! Picture claims to be a GR.7.

Edited May 30, 2022 by Gunjob

[AVROVULCANXH558 285]

Unfortunately, the website is giving me an error 

[Gunjob 866]

7 minutes ago, AVROVULCANXH558 said:

Unfortunately, the website is giving me an error 

Spoiler

 

Edited May 30, 2022 by Gunjob

[AVROVULCANXH558 285]

Thanks!

[WNxDavid990 143]

I'm pretty sure the Harrier IIs could carry Paveways and up to 4x AGM-65 Mavericks. I know the GR.9 could anyway, I'd assume the GR.7 and GR.5 could as well though nowhere near as much ordinance.

[[email protected] 1,484]

The BAe Harrier is my bae

[Gunjob 866]

17 hours ago, WNxDavid990 said:

I'm pretty sure the Harrier IIs could carry Paveways and up to 4x AGM-65 Mavericks. I know the GR.9 could anyway, I'd assume the GR.7 and GR.5 could as well though nowhere near as much ordinance.

Got a picture or other source for that?

[Nick_Cloud 1,020]

11 minutes ago, Gunjob said:

Got a picture or other source for that?

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some pictures...

Edited June 4, 2022 by CloudNick

[Gunjob 866]

59 minutes ago, CloudNick said:

Hide contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some pictures...

Shame they're not carrying a targeting pod at the same time. The TV/FLIR sensor on GR.5 & GR.7 has no designation abilties only target track and laze recieve. Also thats still only x2 Mavericks. Updated the post with the Paveway II & IV though. I know GR.9 could carry Sniper but dont have pictures of GR.5/7 with TIALD or Sniper. 

Edited June 4, 2022 by Gunjob

[Gunjob 866]

 

There is this TIALD on a Harrier, But no idea what model that is. ;

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

 

Also Paveway III along side TIALD;

Spoiler

 

Edited June 4, 2022 by Gunjob

[WNxDavid990 143]

Spoiler

Example of GR.7 and GR.9 with Sniper Pod

 

Spoiler

GR.9 carrying Sniper Pod and Paveway IVs

Edited June 5, 2022 by WNxDavid990

[Gunjob 866]

Added the first pass at the GR.9/A. Let me know if you've spotted any mistakes. Still looking for pictures of 4x Maverick loadouts or other 3rd party sources. 

Edited June 6, 2022 by Gunjob

[[email protected] 2]

doing a bit of harrier image searching, and i came across these two pictures. seems at least 1 variant of the harrier carried brimstones for at least a small period of time. maybe someone better at aircraft recce could tell which variant this is? might end up being useful for if new harriers get added

 

these pictures were found here:

https://grandlogistics.blogspot.com/2012/03/libya-harrier-versus-tornado.html?m=1

and here:

https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/brimstone-harrier-1/

 

[Gunjob 866]

21 minutes ago, [email protected] said:

these pictures were found here:

https://grandlogistics.blogspot.com/2012/03/libya-harrier-versus-tornado.html?m=1

and here:

https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/brimstone-harrier-1/

Nice, pretty sure it was only ever trialed on the GR.9/A but thats enough justification for it to be featured in WT. I've updated the OP. 

[TyphoonCro 6,755]

Is it true that British second gen Harriers were able to carry 6 Sidewinders?

I read somewhere that outrigger hardpoints had wirings for Sidewinder launchers unlike their American cousins (AV-8B)

[Gunjob 866]

2 minutes ago, TyphoonCro said:

Is it true that British second gen Harriers were able to carry 6 Sidewinders?

I read somewhere that outrigger hardpoints had wirings for Sidewinder launchers unlike their American cousins (AV-8B)

GR.5/7 couldn't, can't speak for GR.9 though. 

Edited June 7, 2022 by Gunjob

[TyphoonCro 6,755]

3 minutes ago, Gunjob said:

GR.5/7 couldn't can't speak for GR.9 though. 

 

Oh hmmm...

Those actually are outrigger hardpoints.

American Harriers cannot carry Sidewinder on those

 

EDIT: According to SAC, AV-8B can carry Sidewinder on Stations 1, 2, 6, 7.

Edited June 7, 2022 by TyphoonCro

[Gunjob 866]

2 minutes ago, TyphoonCro said:

Oh hmmm...

Those actually are outrigger hardpoints.

American Harriers cannot carry Sidewinder on those

 

EDIT: According to SAC, AV-8B can carry Sidewinder on Stations 1, 2, 6, 7.

Probably both limited to 4 just the UK Harrier's wired them to different stations. 

[Mr_Pokemon26295 348]

I can't wait for the sea harriers and harrier 2s to come;) (tornado also but jaguar Gr.3 seems more possible atm which works too;))

[Gunjob 866]

3 hours ago, Mr_Pokemon26295 said:

but jaguar Gr.3 seems more possible

You say that, but I have manuals for Tornado and Harrier 2's. But not Jaguar GR.3 which was either destroyed before it could be archived at the RAF museum, or has yet to be delivered to the museum. 

Edited June 7, 2022 by Gunjob