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BAE Harrier II
Aircraft of the Day
BAE Harrier II
![RAF]] Harrier GR9 over Afghanistan, 2008](http://www.howitflies.com/files/photos/wikiexport/6/68/RAF_Harrier_GR9.JPG "RAF]] Harrier GR9 over Afghanistan, 2008")
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Claim to Fame
The BAE Harrier II is the end of a distinguished line of aircraft that conquered many technical hurdles to become the most successful VTOL aircraft yet developed. The Harrier II was the follow-on aircraft from the original Harrier and is closely related to the U.S. Marine Corps' AV8B Harrier. In the hands of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy it was a combat veteran of conflicts from Kosovo to Afghanistan. It was however unable to fight off the advances of British government cost cutters presiding over the final gasps of the empire despite years of remaining service life.
Interesting BAE Harrier II Fact
The Harrier was originally developed by Hawker Siddeley, which was nationalized by the British government in 1977 to become part of British Aerospace.
Quick BAE Harrier II Specs
| Year Introduced | 1989 |
| Number Built | 143 |
| Cruise Speed | |
| Useful Load | 18,500 lb |
| Wing Span | 30 ft 4 in (9.25 m) |
| Seats | 1 |
| Range | 2000 nmi |
| Rate of Climb | 14,715 ft/min (74.8 m/s) |