The BAe Sea Harrier FRS1 first entered service with the Royal Navy in April 1980. The
aircraft is a naval VTOL/VSTOL jet fighter designed for reconnaissance and attack roles. In
1993 an improved variant of the Sea Harrier was produced as the FA.2 with a more
powerful engine, improved air-to-air capabilities and weapons options. The FA.2 was
produced until 1998 and continued in service until 2006 when it was replaced by the
Harrier GR9. 56 FA.2 Sea Harriers were produced for the Royal Navy.

After the Falklands War a number of BAe Sea Harriers were ordered. Sea Harrier FA2
ZD608 first flew in 1985 and joined No.801 Naval Air Squadron in 1986. ZD608 was one of
56 FRS.1 aircraft upgraded to FA2 standards. The FA2’s primary task was fleet defender
but in 1995 assigned to HMS Invincible, ZD608 as part of Operation Deliberate Force
demonstrated the FA2 could be used in a strike role. ODF was a multi-national force acting
to stop Bosnian Serb Army aggression. In 2006 Sea Harriers were retired and ZD608
ended its career with a collector in Greece.

Specifications for the Sea Harrier FA.2

Crew – 1 X pilot

Dimensions
Length – 46 ft. 6 in. (14.2 m)
Wingspan – 25 ft. 3 in. (7.6 m)
Height – 12 ft. 2 in. (3.71 m)
Wing Area – 201.1 ft². (18.68 m²)

Performance
Power Plant – 1 X Rolls-Royce Pegasus turbofan producing 21,500 lbf (95.64 kN)
Maximum Speed – 735 mph (635 kt. / 1,182 km/h)
Combat Radius – 620 mi. (540 nmi. / 1,000 km)
Ferry Range – 2,000 mi. (1,740 nmi. / 3,600 km)
Service Ceiling – 51,000 ft. (16,000 m)
Rate Of Climb – 50,000 ft./min. (250 m/s)

Weights
Empty – 14,052 lb. (6,374 kg)
Maximum Take-Off – 26,200 lb. (11,900 kg)

Armament
Guns – 2 X 30 mm (1.18 in.) ADEN cannon pods under the fuselage – 130 rounds each
Hardpoints
2 X auxiliary drop tanks for ferry flight or extended range/loitering time
4 X under-wing pylons
1 X fuselage center-line pylon + 2 X attach points for gun pods capable of carrying 8,000
lb (3,630 kg)
Rockets – 4 X Mantra rocket pods capable of carrying 18 X SNEB 68 mm rockets each
Missiles
Air-To-Air
AIM-9 Sidewinder missile
AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) (pronounced "am-ram")
Air-To-Surface
ALARM (ARM) anti-radiation missile
Martel (ARM) anti-radiation missile
Anti-ship
Sea Eagle missile
Bombs
Numerous types of unguided bombs

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