The Harrier

The Harrier is the world's first operational jet fighter that can take off and land vertically (photos below). Made by Hawker in Britain, the Harrier is awesome to see. This year's Miramar Air Show had one demonstration flight, plus one sitting on the tarmac for close inspection, with a pilot to answer questions.

As cool as these planes may be, they are plagued with problems.

One third of all Harriers used by the U.S. Marines have crashed, according to the History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” on Oct. 19. Half of the accidents are related to the “temperamental” Rolls Royce jet engine.

Other Harrier problems:

+ 5 of 7 Harriers that took enemy fire during the Gulf War were destroyed

+ It can take 500 hours to change out a Harrier engine, where other U.S. fighters require 4-10 hours for the same job.

+ The plane is subsonic.

Hopefully the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will do better.

Another History Channel show talked about problems with using VTOLs (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) in combat conditions, and inherent difficulties with supporting these craft.

Afghanistan in the 1980s was the first major combat test of any VSTOL. Russia’s craft was so dangerous to fly that pilots would claim sick or attempt a transfer to other units to avoid flying. On landing, the vertical jet blast kicked up rocks and dirt, and this debris would funnel into the jet's intake, which basically ruined the engine after every takeoff or landing.

Eventually Russia stopped using the plane in the Afghan theater, replacing it with their latest generation of helicopter, the Hind. Afghani fighters decimated the slow Hinds with Stinger missiles supplied by the CIA. This was a major factor in Russia’s decision to vacate the war.

One problem with using VTOLs in major combat operations is resupply. If you have remote, mountainous VTOL bases, how do you keep a steady supply of engines, fuel, parts, and munitions flowing into the sites?

Photos: Harriers at the 2005 Miramar Air Show.