What Is The Harrier Jump Jet?
The Harrier Jump Jet. Pioneering vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) jet capable of operating from unprepared forest clearings.
United Kingdom
Origin
VTOL
Role
1,175 km/h
Top speed
15,240 m
Service ceiling
Harrier Jump Jet Specifications
The Hawker Siddeley Harrier was the world’s first operational vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) jet fighter. Powered by a single Rolls-Royce Pegasus vectored-thrust turbofan reaching 730 mph, it performed forward, hovering, and backward flight from unprepared forward bases.
Performance
Top speed
730 mph (1,175 km/h)
Service ceiling
50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Combat radius
200 nmi (370 km)
Rate of climb
10,000 ft/min (50.8 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
1
Length
46 ft 10 in (14.27 m)
Wingspan
25 ft 3 in (7.70 m)
Empty weight
12,200 lbs (5,530 kg)
Engine
1x Rolls-Royce Pegasus 103 vectored-thrust turbofan
Service
First flight
28 December 1967
Unit cost
$18 million
Operators
United Kingdom (RAF, Royal Navy - Historic/Retired), Spain
What Weapons Does The Harrier Jump Jet Carry?
The Harrier Jump Jet is armed with twin underbelly pods housing 30mm ADEN cannons and five hardpoints carrying 5,000 lbs of ordnance, including AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, unguided rockets, and iron bombs.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
ADEN
Category
30 mm Cannon Pod
Loadout
2 ventral pods (130 rounds each)
Range
1,800 metres (effective)
AIM-9 Sidewinder
Category
Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 4 missiles
Range
18 km (11 miles)
SNEB Rocket Pod
Category
68 mm Unguided Rockets
Loadout
Up to 4 pods
Range
3 km (1.9 miles)
Mark 82
Category
General-Purpose Bomb
Loadout
Up to 4 bombs
Range
Gravity released
BL755
Category
Cluster Bomb
Loadout
Up to 4 bombs
Range
Gravity released
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The Harrier Jump Jet?
The Harrier reaches around 730 mph, Mach 0.95, and is subsonic. Its defining capability is not speed but the vectored thrust of its Pegasus engine, which allows vertical take-off, hovering and a technique called vectoring in forward flight – using the nozzles in combat to decelerate rapidly and force a pursuing aircraft to overshoot.
How Was The Harrier Jump Jet Developed?
The Harrier grew from the Hawker P.1127 and Kestrel evaluation aircraft of the early 1960s, built around Stanley Hooker's vectored-thrust Pegasus engine. The first Harrier GR.1 flew on 28 December 1967. The Sea Harrier variant added radar and an air defence role for the Royal Navy's small carriers.
Has The Harrier Jump Jet Seen Combat?
The Harrier's defining moment was the 1982 Falklands War, where Sea Harriers claimed 20 Argentine aircraft for no air-to-air losses, operating from two carriers in appalling weather. RAF Harriers flew ground attack missions, and the type later served over Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Who Operates The Harrier Jump Jet?
Britain, the United States, Spain, India, Italy and Thailand operated Harrier variants. The RAF and Royal Navy retired theirs in 2010, with the airframes sold to the United States for spares. The US Marine Corps continues to fly the AV-8B.
Harrier Jump Jet FAQs
Common questions about the Harrier Jump Jet, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the Harrier Jump Jet as a civilian?
No, the Harrier Jump Jet is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the Harrier Jump Jet?
No, you cannot take the controls of the Harrier Jump Jet, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the Harrier Jump Jet cost?
The Harrier Jump Jet is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Are there weight limits on a jet flight instead of the Harrier Jump Jet?
The Harrier Jump Jet is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the Harrier Jump Jet?
The Harrier Jump Jet is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the Harrier Jump Jet?
The Harrier Jump Jet is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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