What this compares to in game. There is a .2G margin of error compared to the AV-8A manual but is still fundamentally missing an entire 1 G in standard lift.
As seen the Buffet limit AOA turn rate in game is just 14 degrees per second. Compared to 17 degrees per second as seen on a real harrier.
More G for less AOA also means less induced drag, less speed loss, and greater sustained turns.
A Harrier Gr.3 using the Normal lift rating (Or the war time 100% RPM limit Datum plug) is capable of SUSTAINING a 5.25G turn at the onset of buffet curve at .6 Mach. At a weight of 17,211 lbs.
As for the Instantaneous G with the nozzles it is for hover stop or 98.5 degrees nozzle angle and this great an angle in nozzles actually reduces the overall lift due to it locally stalling the wing. Without the nozzles it is buffet onset.
The use of 60 degrees nozzle angle IRL will give an instantaneous turn rate of 19 degrees per second at .6 mach. With approximately 13 degrees AOA.
(No documents shared here are classified or export restricted and have been checked with a Tech mod or come from open sources such as the national archives)
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The RN has expressed the F-35B actually fell short of the anticipated range btw.
I’ll use some data from the manuals to demonstrate range for a ski jump launch from HMS invincible.
The max operational take off weight with a slight headwind for the carrier is about 26,000 lbs for the Shar. The FRS.1 empty operational weight with the pilot is about 13,500 lbs. increasing to 14,500 with the pylons and attachment equipment added.
With 5,050 pounds fuel being full internal fuel, the weight is 19,550 lbs.
Add 5 X 1000 lbs, the weight of a sea jet is 24,550 lbs and well within the launch capabilities of the carrier.
Now for a High - High - High attack profile with full internal fuel is looking to have about a 275 nautical mile strike radius.
So that’s the tiny sea jet with 5 x 1000 lbs bombs can take off from a carrier drop all of those bomb accurately in a loft attack profile using the NAVHARS and radar a whole 275 nautical miles away, and fly all the way back, and land vertically on the carrier with some fuel left to spare.
Make it 3 x 1000 lbs bombs and 2 combat fuel tanks the range increases to some 400-420 nautical miles strike radius.
The F-4J
Carrying only 6 1000 lbs bombs and 2 massive 370 gallon fuel tanks can only just exceed the radius of the sea harrier.
For the fuel cost of 1 F-4 carrying 6 bombs you could send 2 sea jets and drop 10.
The sea jet can extend its range by flying far past the strike radius of the F-4 and landing and refueling on a frigate half way back to the carrier.
You can’t do that with any other jet.
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Replying to the 2 above comments someone was silly enough to say the harrier couldn’t operate at any range capacity. Claiming we Brit’s love it so much bc it was the only plane that works.
They prolly deleted said comment after my 2 replies.
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