Finding an alternative fuel for combat aircraft must be a big challenge, there don’t seem to be any easy options anyway.

I like the idea of being able to use manned aircraft as unmanned aircraft, like the Boeing Little Bird demonstrator helicopter http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q3/060712c_nr.html

The prototype aircraft is validating an autonomous flight control system that could be added to any manned aircraft. This automated flight control system includes integrated weapons systems, sensors and a ground control station. Cerchie said the entire package could be retrofitted to most existing rotorcraft.

Sending an unmanned Typhoon to attack targets in a high threat environment or an unmanned Merlin to evacuate people from a site contaminated by nuclear, biological or chemical substances seems like a very desirable capability.

It should be very cost effective too, hopefully just adding extra software to existing hardware and communication capabilities.

Nice find JAZZ 🙂 It seems you can always count on the guys with zz at the end of their name to deliver cool pics 😀

Interesting pic. No ski-jump, it would have been a job and half to get off such a small ship with much of a load onboard a Harrier.

I would imagine this pic was created before the ski-jump became the accepted way of operating Harrier’s off small ships. If I remember correctly the flightdeck of this concept had a turntable to make it easier to turn the Harrier’s around on the narrow deck.

Great post Bager1968, I couldn’t have put it better 🙂

I think 800 Squadron is now flying the GR7 operationally.

Is it just me or has the Royal Navy website gone downhill since the Sea Harrier was retired? The new layout is not as good as the old one.

UK Aircraft Carrier Task Group to Support Major Omani Naval Exercise 18th Apr 2006 http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.5330

The exercise sees the first deployment of the newly formed 800 Naval Air Squadron of the Joint Harrier Force, flying GR7 ground attack Harriers and the participation of Illustrious, is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the Strike Carrier concept in a controlled exercise environment.

Was it a Metal Storm stacked projectile proposal? http://www.metalstorm.com/

Very sad, the only difference I know of is that the Cormorant uses T700 engines instead of the RTM 322. I have heard of problems with fuel line leaks and tail rotor cracks on the Canadian models, a RN Merlin crashed because of a tail rotor failure. I hope these problems will get sorted soon as the capabilities of the EH-101 are highly regarded.

Good EH-101 site http://www.targetlock.org.uk/eh101/index.html