PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Decision to axe Harrier is "bonkers".
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Old 26th Mar 2011, 18:01
  #450 (permalink)  
Justanopinion
 
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Why? The ability to fly off a carrier was all that Harrier had over Tornado in SDSR
Easy street

Come on now fella - the Harrier had a couple more advantages over the GR4 than just carrier ops.
Its VSTOL ability allowed it to fly from short rough-field strips near to the front-line, providing rapid close air support (CAS) - hence the ability to operate away from conventional paved runways and airfields which may be attacked, preventing conventional non V/STOL aircraft from operating. It also had no LOX requirement and was able to take ANY aviation fuel... and before the 'helpful stacker' pipes up i am talking RAPID response.
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