Dan,
Here is a FOI response I received dated Sept 2006 which may answer your question:
"1.Can you advise how many former Sea Harrier pilots remain within 'Joint Force Harrier'?
Currently there are 13 former Sea Harrier pilots qualified on GR7/9 and serving within JFH plus 3 on current RN Migration Course (FA2 to GR7/9 conversion course) due to join Front Line Squadrons by Nov 06. There are 4 more ex SHAR pilots scheduled for RN Migration Courses between now and Jul 07. *
2. Can you advise how many Sea Harriers remain in MOD ownership and their current condition?
The breakdown of Sea Harrier disposition and current material state, confirmed through Defence Sales Agency, the Harrier IPT and 801 Sqn SHAR drawdown officers, is as shown
COTTESMORE(COTO:
2FA2
Both are gate guardians with one currently at Greenwich (parented by COTT) and due to return to COTT very soon. A/c are inhibited (to prevent deterioration due to adverse environmental conditions), have engines fitted, generally free from all fuels, lubes and explosives.
WITTERING:
1 T8
A/c is a gate guardian - aircraft is inhibited, has engine fitted, generally free from all fuels, lubes and explosives.
YEOVILTON:
1 FA2
A/c is a gate guardian - aircraft is inhibited, has engine fitted, generally free from all fuels, lubes and explosives. There is one FRS1 in the Fleet Air Arm Museum however, this is not owned by MOD.
CULDROSE:
6 FA2
2T8
Transferred to RNAS Culdrose RN School of Flight Deck Ops (RNSFDO) - complete and capable of taxing. Of these, 2 FA2s appear unfit for purpose at the RNSFDO, these a/c have been bid for as ground instructional aircraft for DCAE Sultan; these a/c may be backfilled from 2 FA2s from Shawbury.
QINETIQBoscombe Down:
1 T8
Soon to be sold to QinetiQ as a source of spares for the VAAC research a/c and then removed from MOD inventory.
SHAWBURY:
8 FA2 *
Stored awaiting disposal (4 earmarked for Indian Navy as piece part spares (PPS) for FRS51s) - aircraft are largely complete, but have had classified equipment removed - 5 a/c have engine fitted.
A/C TOTALS:
FA2 = 17 (reducing to 13 once 4 sold to India for PPS)
T8 = 4 (reducing to 3 once 1 sold to QinetiQ for PPS)
3. What training in air to air combat do Joint Force Harrier pilots receive?
All fast jet pilots are first introduced to air combat through a common Air Combat Manoeuvring (ACM) syllabus during advanced flying training, currently conducted at RAF Valley.
Whilst offensive ACM is taught on the Harrier Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) and beyond, JFH ACM training centres around training GR7/9 pilots to fight and survive if their fighter cover fails to protect them, or they are attacked en route to a target.
Currently there are 3 stages of ACM training the Pilots receive. The initial training at the OCU consists of 1 x T10 handling trip followed by 7 x 1 v 1 similar type sorties.
The second stage is then conducted on the Frontline to achieve Day Combat Ready and consists of 4 sorties (1v1, 2v1 as subordinate (Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT)), 2v1 as lead (DACT) & 2v2 (DACT)). The final stage is the Air Combat Leader phase which is given to senior pairs leaders and consists of a further 4 sorties
(1v1, 1v1v1, 2v2 (DACT) & Multi a/c (DACT)), There is one further qualification, namely Air Combat Instructor, but is very rarely achieved due to other pressing commitments.
The OCU ACM syllabus has just been re-written, but is yet to be implemented. The new syllabus includes 3 sorties of 1v1, Harrier vs Harrier to refresh ACM techniques, highlight Harrier / Hawk differences and introduce Vectoring in Forward Flight ('Viffing'). Subsequently, the syllabus concentrates on 2 v 1 ACM initially like vs like. but ultimately introducing 2 v1 versus a radar equipped threat (such as Typhoon) Ground Controlled Intercepts.
4. What provision has been made to upgrade GR7/9 aircraft for the air to air combat role?
The primary role of the GR9 will be one of day/night ground-attack and reconnaissance. As such, it will possess a limited self-defence capability akin to that of GR7.
5. What provision has been made to equip GR7/9 aircraft with BVR radar and missiles should they be required at short notice?
There is currently no plan to integrate BVR missiles onto GR9."
cheers
Sunk