The revolutionary Harrier took to the skies in December 1967, going on to become the star of the Royal Navy and Air Force during the Falkland Islands War in 1982. The US McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II went on to become the star of the Marine Corps in Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom.
This illustrated and accessible history explores the background that led to the development of this unique aircraft, charting the history and output of Hawker Aircraft Ltd from Sopwith onwards, through the Harrier’s development, production, flight testing, and operational and combat history, and also considers its future replacement, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. An effective strike fighter for several nations for over 47 years, Harrier’s longevity is testament to the practical design and viability of this unique combat aircraft. AUTHOR: Mark A. Chambers works as a contractor for the NASA Langley Research Center. He has previously written From Research to Relevance: Achievements in Aeronautics Research, Engineering Test Pilot: The Exceptional Career of John P. Jack Reeder, and Flight Research at NASA Langley Research Center, as well as articles for Aviation Magazine. He lives in Virginia USA. 116 b/w illustrations, 114 colour illustrations 116 b/w and 114 colour illustrations