The demise of the Sea Harrier

Prowlus wrote:

Guy Alcala wrote in message ...

Which is why, post Falklands, they bought Sea King AEW.2s (and now AEW.7s).
A Harrier GR.9 has equal low altitude capability as the SHAR FRS.1 -- the
latter's radar was unusable when looking down over land or rough sea and/or
at low level, the GR.9 lacks one. OTOH, if such a go-it-alone war such as
the Falklands were to happen, you can bet that the ASRAAM would be cleared
for GR.9 use in very little time.

Didn't they axe that idea of ASRAAMS on the GR.9 instead giving the
missles to the long suffering F.3 Tornados instead so that they could
use them as a way of "self defence" just incase they find themselves
caught up with real fighters whille performing their SEAD mission?

Yes they did. Now re-read the following:

A Harrier GR.9 has equal low altitude capability as the SHAR FRS.1 -- the
latter's radar was unusable when looking down over land or rough sea and/or
at low level, the GR.9 lacks one. OTOH, if such a go-it-alone war such as
the Falklands were to happen, you can bet that the ASRAAM would be cleared
for GR.9 use in very little time.

They decided that the GR.9 will not now be equipped or cleared for ASRAAM, just like the GR.1/3 wasn't equipped or cleared
forAIM-9s until the Falklands, when it was re-wired and cleared for them inside of 2 weeks from the word go. It's amazing
how quickly you can accomplish something in wartime, given serious enough need. Do I think they will ever do this? Only if
Argentina is stupid again.

Guy