Isn’t the PS-05/A on the Gripen a derivative of the Blue Vixen ? I don’t see how the performance difference would be so large.
It was co-developed by the same people who made the Blue Vixen, and did share some of the tech and research for it. Its possible that the Gripens radar (if/when we actually get it) will be comparible in performance.
I do not know much about the British one but it looks more optimal for air to air missions. more streamline and less massive bubble canopy for aerodynamics. The pilot sits more atop it it seems rather more than the other variants more optimal for visibility upward and behind.
I think the British is faster is that true?
Maybe but in warthunder those advantages are basically meaningless because 2 more missiles> is better than more visibility (unless your playing sim but even then id argue 2 more AMRAAM or AIM-9 would still be superior)
Iduno I play top tier only so I am not too sure.
imo 6x R27ERs are better than 4x. 6x R73s have a greater advantage over 4x any day of the week.
4x Aim9Ms are better than 2x. Missile count is something that has proven to tilt the battle greatly in your favor. Seems like IRL too.
Then again the harrier looks like it might be severely limited on performance with that many. Then again I do not know much about either Harriers.
The Original Sea harrier (the Sea Harrier FRS1) was a modified Harrier I (Gr1, Gr3 and Gr5) that was better suited for A2A combat, perticular for operating from British Carriers (and well proven in the Falklands)
the FA2 was a direct upgrade of the FRS1. Replacing the radar, avionics and engine and most importantly, adding AMRAAM(B). They were argubly Britains best A2A fighter from 1992 until the Typhoon in 2003.
The FA2 does have the same Mk105 engine as the Gr7 and other Harrier IIs and possibly might get a little more speed due to the smaller wing ( and thus less drag) but also has the added cost of reduce maneuvability,
Both Harrier II and Sea Harrier Have fairly equal cockpit visibility. So no real clear advantatge in that sense. But the vastly superior radar in the FA2 will be a notable advantatge.
To be honest, Missile load in SB is a minor consideration, as you will often RTB long before expending all missiles, in part due to how the economy works and partly because of fuel.
But in ARB, the AV-8B+ will likely be better as it has more AAMs, doesnt have to sacrifice guns and has the better handling. Though I think the FA2 has more CMs as it will have the option for BOL Depending on the performance of AMRAAM, the FA2 might also be the better for actual BVR combat due to the better radar (despite haivng less AMRAAM)
(though I still want my FA2)
Island tax
It might be ligher too since its original sea harrier airframe? I would assume the GR7 gained substantial weight with the upgrades and the Multi mission technology integrated in it?
Good dogfighters???
I dont know, maybe. Im not expecting a huge increase in top speed. Likely will max out at about Mach 0,93-0.95 still. But will probably accelerate quite well.
yeah Im pretty good at dogfighting in them (newer ones). the later models like the Gr7 and italian AV8 have leading edge extentions now for higher angles of attack before stalling.
they have insane acceleration and fuel economy. The late models do not bleed energy as easy as previous harriers.
Min fuel late model harriers are pretty deadly. The GR7 also has an ungodly ammount of CM.
Not to mention both have high velocity laser beam cannons lol.
Aim9Ms too. Now potentially Aim-120s? Lord have mercy.
Never under-estimate some good VIFFs. I nearly 1 vs 3ed Mig-29s in the Gr7 in SB. I got 2 of them before the third got me. If I had my MAWS, I would have likely survived and won that fight
I don’t know about SB but in RB a MiG-29 losing a dogfight against a Harrier is a skill isssue.
F-4E probably should slap it.
not quite, they are good for climbers but thats about it, i feel like theyre useless post merge
keeping lock on someone going away + needing the missile to keep tracking is not easy so they dont excel there
That can be done with Super530D as well as AIM-7.
R-27ER nearly always is useful even late into the game.
In the Gr7 at least you have 700 CMs, and good low speed handling, its fairly easy to dogfight those aircraft if they dont know what they are doing.
Though I miss the good old days when the Gr7 was first added. No one knew how to fight them and were expecting an easy fight like the Harrier Is. I got so many kills in those first few weeks it was hilarious. Then they nerfed the 9Ls and people begun to learn how to fight them.
I only play Air Rb.
No F4E cannot. I have beaten tomcats, 29s, Yak141s in 1v1 and have been beaten by them in the harrier as well.
I am not saying they are the best, but they are capable, and I always approach with caution. that’s all.
They are really good ambush fighters and can dogfight really low to the ground while some aircraft cannot due to roll rate like the Mig29SMT.
i always drop them, i only manage to shoot one off because the meta is ground hugging
unless(as i said already) gaijin stops making the ground a safe space and make people learn how to dodge them, all radar missiles will be useless
IF they don’t know what they are doing…
Usually if I see a Harrier I start drooling.

