Upgraded Harrier GR9 aircraft has entered service with the RAF

Source URL: http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/news_0610_09.html
Posted at: http://www.air-attack/com/news/news_article/2135

The upgraded Harrier GR9 aircraft has entered service with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force after a half billion pound improvement package, Defence Minister Adam Ingram announced today.

The programme is upgrading the iconic Harrier aircraft, which is capable of vertical landing and take-off with state-of-the-art new technology – doubling its effectiveness as a precision ground attack aircraft.

Sixty nine of the single-seater aircraft will be delivered under the incremental programme which is being carried out by BAE Systems in partnership with the MOD at RAF Cottesmore in Lincs. The upgrades will allow the aircraft to use advanced new precision weaponry, new communications and avionics systems

Adam Ingram said: “The Harrier has proved itself time and time again as an excellent aircraft – from the Falkands conflict to current operations in Afghanistan but we are always improving our capabilities and the integration of this technology will allow the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy to hit a wider range of targets at longer range, with greater precision and at less risk to our aircrew than ever before.

“With the incorporation of our advanced new Precision Guided Bomb next year the GR9 doubles the Harrier's precision bombing capability while offering greater accuracy, range and reduced pilot workload. It will also carry the Brimstone missile - a true fire and forget all weather weapon which means the GR9 could attack up to 12 ground targets simultaneously compared with just one or two with GR7 – a huge boost for our front line pilots.”

On cost and to time the success of the programme has been intrinsically linked to the highly effective working partnership between the MOD, BAES and QinetiQ. The joint working between industry and the MOD reflects the government's overarching Defence Industrial Strategy and underlines the skills inherent in the UK air sector.

---

Print this page

Visit Air-Attack.com for more military aviation and defense industry news