RileyDove,
How much more does an aircraft have to do to satisfy you? The Harrier's been coming up with the goods all over the globe for 30+ years. I'm curious about this field deploying 'myth' - what about the field site set up in the Falklands, what about USMC Harriers landing on roads just behind the FLOT in GW1, what about the FARPs used in GW2, what about the total lack of ramp space in GW2 and the Harrier's unique ability to operate off small flat decks that can actually get into the shallow waters close to shore, what about flying off the short serviceable strip in the current op in Afghanistan? If the capability to operate from austere sites and short strips has been used repeatedly over 25 years, how does that make it a 'myth'? The Hornet bubbas that I met at AJ were jealous as hell of the Harrier FRPs in Iraq - especially when the ATO went to a ball of chalk and the AAR got a bit scarce.
While it would be nice to have 2 engines, more weapons and more fuel, it's not necessarily the answer - then you could end up with an F3, and spend 20 odd years never even firing a shot in anger (
) The Harriers have been busy enough over the years and really don't need even more capability to prove either the aircraft or the concept. But as the launch platform for PW4, we're getting even more, and before anyone else.
Single Seat, Single Engine, The Only Way To Fly