Technical data and discussion on the British Harrier II, marks GR.5/GR.5A, GR.7/GR.7A and GR.9/GR.9A. Contributions welcome.
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.
Weapons
2 x 25mm ADEN (100 rounds per gun)
6 x AIM-9G/L/Dechirped L
6 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
6 x AGM-65 Maverick ( E/D )
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
6 x GBU-12B Laser
1 x GPU-2/A Gun Pod
5 x MK-20 Rockeye (CBU-100 / -99 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 TACDS (V) 10 dispensers (AN/ALE-47) (30/60 CM depending on bin size)
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
Dual mode tracker (Hughes AN/ASB-19(V)2)
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.
Weapons
2 x 25mm ADEN (100 rounds per gun)
6 x AIM-9G/L/M/Dechirped L
6 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
6 x AGM-65 Maverick ( E, F, F2, G, G2, JX and K)
2 x ALARM ARM
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) (30/60 CM depending on bin size)
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.
Weapons
2 x 25mm ADEN (100 rounds per gun)
6 x AIM-9L/M/Dechirped L
6 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
6 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) (30/60 CM depending on bin size)
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
1 x TERMA Modular Countermeasures Pod (240 flares / chaff + AN/AAR-57 MAWS)
Sensors
Dual mode tracker (Hughes AN/ASB-19(V)2)
Forward looking infra-red system (ARI 23444 GEC Avionics)
Helmet Mounted Display (UK Alpha Helmet , Helmet Optical Position Sensor HOPS)
