Sea Harrier jetBy Logan Balle

What is a VSTOlThe VSTOL is a Harrier jump jet often used on aircraft carriers. The harrier jet or VSTOl is special because it is able to fly forwards hover fly side to side even fly backwards. Know your probably wondering how this is possible well ill tell you. The harrier jet or VSTOl can fly like a helicopter because all of the thrust from the engine is pointing down from a pipe so it pushes the plane up. This pipe can be turned any way which allows it to fly any way it wants.

Basic informationThe sea harrier has a wingspan of 7.6 meters, it can fit a crew of 1.Its max take off weight is 11,900 kgs and its empty weight is 6,374 kgs. It has a maximum speed of 1820 km per hour. It can climb up to 50,000 kilometers in a matter of minutes. It is worth 18 million uk dollars.

Sea Harrier in action

Weapons

The Sea Harrier features 2× 30 mm guns. It can fit ADEN 30 mm revolver cannon SNEB air to ground bombs air to air missiles an aim-9 side winger aim 120 R 550 MAGIC an air to ground missile and an anti ship missile

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Difference between normal harrier and sea harrier

Normal Harrier Sea Harrier

DevelopmentThe sea harrier came into service in 1969 and they had only a few VSTOL jets but in 1975 the royal navy ordered in 24 others. It was first declared operational in 1981 on board different aircraft carriers later that year. The first war the sea harrier served in was the Farklands war. And has been used as a VSTOL strike fighter ever since.

Design

The VSTOL engine is a Pegasus turbo fan engine . I t has two landing gear on the body and to small stabilising wheels on the end of the wings. It features four hard points on the wings and 3 on the fuselage or body of the plane for carrying external fuel tanks.

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The End