The Harrier (and its wet jet sibling) was really only a clever Hunter with shorter legs. But it certainly had a role in CAS during the cold war in RAFG and the sqns were very proficient with the GR1 and later with the GR3.
The Shar was needed for the Malvinas as the closest that the F4s could get was ASI. It did as well as it could; the GR3 also acquitted itself pretty well. But the carriers were extremely vulnerable to SuE/Exocet attack and had to be kept well away which limited time over the target areas.
In GW1, the RAF's GR5 couldn't even drop bombs. It did nothing. But the USMC got stuck in with its AV8Bs; this exposed the vulnerability of the Harrier to ManPAD systems.
CVA01 plus P1154 would have been something entirely different; the current GR7 is a development of the AV8B as the UK had given up on Harrier development, to its eternal shame. It is a short range bomber without even a radar system and offers little in the way of credible air defence to the fleet when embarked.....
So please, no wars for the RN FW element until the F-35 is in service.
Last edited by BEagle; 26th May 2006 at 08:46.