Would it be feasible to build a new Harrier, using the engine Rolls Royce designed for the F35B,, thus making it supersonic? It would have improved range, speed, weapons capacity, and would only fall short of the F35B on stealth. I dont have a clue on whether the British could build this cheaper than the F35B, but if they could I am sure there would be a lot of interest.
Maybe interested countries could participate in its development, as with the F35.
By: Jolanta Nowak - 8th September 2008 at 20:53
Er… guys… this suggestion is getting on for half a century late…
By: Arabella-Cox - 31st August 2008 at 23:22
Engines have been tested (including a 3 nozzle afterburning version which could take the 3 bearing tail) which are even more powerfull than the f-135/136 (due to the high bypass ratio) actually building a supersonic capable fusilage is easy, the only thing the “super harrier” wouldn’t have would be stealth, hell supersonic VTOL projects existed even before the sea harrier.
By: kev 99 - 30th August 2008 at 10:30
That looks like JSF!
Hardly surprising is it.
By: Adrian_44 - 30th August 2008 at 06:41
RE: Upgrade the Harrier
Would it be feasible to build a new Harrier, using the engine Rolls Royce designed for the F35B
At this point to design a brand new aircraft and factor in the cost of inflation and it would not be much cheaper than the F-35B plus it would be without stealth! Nor would it be ready for operational as soon as the F-35B.
It would have to be a brand new design for the scheme the F-35B uses for vertical flight is entirely different than the scheme for the Harrier. The Harrier was a great plane for showing the way for vertical flight for fighters.
Adrian
By: The Village Idi - 20th August 2008 at 23:01
That looks like JSF!
By: kev 99 - 20th August 2008 at 18:36
There was a hypothetical Super harrier mooted as a contender for the JCA programme that the JSF won, picture curtesy of Navymatters:
By: The Village Idi - 20th August 2008 at 12:47
What would be the point? Harrier (all forms) will be replaced by F35B, trying to upgrade the Harrier as much as you suggest would involve a total redesign.
By: Super Nimrod - 5th August 2008 at 08:27
Agree with Rob, a GR10 or 11 is far more likely. The problem with the harrier has also been the lack of power in some situations and from what I have read the current engine is close to its technical limit in terms of output so I don’t see it changing much before retirement.
By: Rob L - 5th August 2008 at 06:46
The way forward for the Harrier are incremental upgrades. When all are GR9 I could imagine a new standard coming up to bring it to its OSD around 2020.
By: ppp - 5th August 2008 at 05:36
Would it be feasible to build a new Harrier, using the engine Rolls Royce designed for the F35B,, thus making it supersonic? It would have improved range, speed, weapons capacity, and would only fall short of the F35B on stealth. I dont have a clue on whether the British could build this cheaper than the F35B, but if they could I am sure there would be a lot of interest.
Maybe interested countries could participate in its development, as with the F35.
Cant see it being cheap. Could see it failing spectacularly, being filled with technical problems and ending up performing worse than a GR7A in most aspects except speed though.
By: StevoJH - 5th August 2008 at 04:32
Its a completely different concept and way of carrying out STOVL/VTOL.
The harrier engine has outlet nozzles to each side of the engine, while the system designed for the F35 has a lift fan forward of the jet which is connected to it by a shaft system, it also has a vectoring exhaust aft.
BAe would have to design a new airframe around the engine, would probably end up being as expensive as the F35 anyway.
By: planeman6000 - 5th August 2008 at 01:38
I think it would need new inlets much further forward.
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August 5, 2008 at 12:57 am