Harrier GR9 delivered on time and on budget
11 Oct 06
The upgraded Harrier GR9 has entered service with the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy after a half a billion pound improvement package.
![A Harrier GR9 at RAF Cottesmore [Picture: SAC C Bucknell]](GenerateThumbnail.aspx?imageURL=/NR/rdonlyres/029B9A7F-A1E6-4F80-820B-5E6847C5EF54/0/HarrierGR9.JPG&maxSize=210)
A Harrier GR9 at RAF Cottesmore
[Picture: SAC C Bucknell]
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 Conversion 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.
![Commander Bill Dean, Acting Force Commander JFH, in a Harrier GR9 [Picture: RAF]](GenerateThumbnail.aspx?imageURL=/NR/rdonlyres/4F51F842-EEC6-49DF-AA60-F7E6A899DFD9/0/CommanderBillDean.JPG&maxSize=210)
Commander Bill Dean, Acting Force Commander JFH, in a Harrier GR9
[Picture: RAF]
Air-Vice Marshal David Rennison, DG Logistics (Strike), said:
"We had difficult choices to make in 2001. Deciding not to continue the life of the Sea Harrier, creating a joint force and upgrading the existing RAF GR7s to GR9 to operate from land or sea was the best option. Industry rose to the challenge and delivered this winning formula."
Wg Cdr Gary Waterfall, Officer Commanding 41 (R) Sqn, added:
"The GR9 was tested in the air and on the ground to make sure it could operate in extreme climatic conditions. All the new avionics can withstand temperatures between –40 to +50 degrees C. We flew it in Arizona and California day and night to simulate desert conditions and it outperforms the GR7 in every way.
"Cockpit integration, communications, accuracy of the Inertial Navigation System and many other features considerably reduce the pilot workload. In the role of Close Air Support to ground forces we will be able to transfer accurate references to ground stations."
Commander Bill Dean, Acting Force Commander JFH, said:
"A third of our front line force are currently in Afghanistan and if deployed the GR9 will represent a huge increase in safety to crews, support to ground forces and has been welcomed by my crews in theatre. It is the aircraft of choice for JFH.
"The GR9 represents the way ahead in terms of weapons needs as well as embarked and high intensity war operations. It has greater range, payload standoff survivability and communications and will be able to deliver offensive support with precision guided weapons prior to the introduction of the Joint Combat Aircraft."