[Dooty]

Not quite sniping but a close call for the pilot. Received the following at work;

See attached jpg files. The damage is from flying a Marine Corps Harrier aircraft too low, about four feet off the ground. The incident occurred during a night close air support training mission near Yuma, Arizona. The pilot was wearing Night Vision Goggles and was taking instructions from a FAC (Forward Air Controller) on the ground. The pilot apparently rolled in too steeply, and was told by the FAC to abort. The damage to the aircraft is from cactuses and other desert vegetation. The the site of the near crash was examined, vegetation was torn off at an "altitude" of about four feet. The pilot was very lucky, as he was going several hundred kilometers an hour and one wrong twitch on the joystick would have flown him into the ground.

[/img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/dooty/cactus_damage_2red.jpg[/IMG]

Just as well the FAC was on the ball!!!

 

[Jeff_850]

OUCH!!!
im glad aircraft stayed together for the pilot to take himself back to base

 

[Yimmy]

re

But one of many quality British products.

 

[mele]

Yep, Yimmy... I've always been a fan of the AV-8B and its British family. Neat aircraft. Though the JSF will be replacing them in the USMC's fleet, but still several years out.

Glad the pilot made it okay... hope they deduct the repair costs from his paycheck.

MEL

 

[Dooty]

With all that carbon fibre Mel it will take him along time to repay it. I actually work on RAF harriers at BAe Systems at the moment and all that damage to the wing leading edge will take some work. He did well to recover the aircraft but at least he,s got the old ejector seats, used to fit them on Harriers and Tornados, now they have some big cartridges in them!
Below is another picture that I forgot to add before

Harriers... take a lickin an keep tickin!!!

 

[Yimmy]

re

I am not sure the Falklands War would have been winable without the harrier, but the JSF will certainly be a worthy replacement.

To think though, that the Harriers first flight was in the late 50's, it has certainly served a long and successful life.

 

[Dooty]

Still be going for a few more years yet Yimmy, we're currently upgrading them from GR7 standard to GR9. JSF will be a good aircraft but still a few probs to overcome yet but with an expected order run of 3000+ aircraft it should see me out to retirement

 

[mele]

Dooty,

If you can say, what does the GR.9 upgrade include over the GR.7 ?

MEL

 

[Dooty]

Best way to reply is to quote the company website, dont think I can get in trouble for that;

The full GR9 upgrade will give the existing UK GR7 Harriers updated digital systems. Integration and clearance of digital weapons will allow the RAF to hit a wider range of targets harder, at longer range and with less risk to aircrew. This initial upgrade will introduce a baseline aircraft system capability that will allow the aircraft to carry and integrate smart weapons such as Brimstone and precision guided bombs, and support an enhanced integration of legacy weapons such as Maverick and Sidewinder AIM9L.

If you look at pictures of RAF Harriers you will see that ours have 2 extra wing pylons at the outrigger wheel positions so with the above avionics upgrades and an improved engine giving more power then can carry a lot of ordenance

 

[mele]

Thanks! I appreciate the info. I love military aviation, past present, and future.

MEL