Sea Harrier FRS.1

This page is about the squadron British strike aircraft Sea Harrier FRS.1. For the regular version, see Sea Harrier FRS.1 (e). For other versions, see Harrier (Family).

Sea Harrier FRS.1

Sea Harrier FRS.1

Britain

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
10.7	10.7	10.7

Class:

SQUADRON

Strike aircraft

Naval aircraft

Research:520 000

Purchase:710 000

Show in game

Description

The Sea Harrier FRS.1 is a squadron rank VII British strike aircraft with a battle rating of 10.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Apex Predators".

The Sea Harrier FRS.1 was a navalised variant of the Hawker-Siddeley Harrier. Entering service with the United Kingdom's Royal Navy in 1978, it went on to earn fame for its engagements during the Falklands conflict in 1982 against the Argentinian air forces.

The Sea Harrier is available as an option for rank VII through unlock as a squadron vehicle. It can present experienced pilots familiar with the GR.1/3 with a further improvement in the form of deadly AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles and a unique position as the only model of Harrier in-game with a search radar. Ultimately, the Sea Harrier builds on the strengths of the Harrier GR.3 with improved air-to-air combat capability. However this comes at a cost of being heavier and slightly more sluggish than its contemporaries.

All in all, the Sea Harrier can be a powerful opponent in the hands of a veteran pilot and provides an almost preparatory experience for the Harrier GR.7.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Max speed

at 0 m1 159 km/h

Turn time32 s

Max altitude12 192 m

EngineRolls-Royce Pegasus Mk.104

TypeJet

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight13 t

The Sea Harrier possesses a flight performance very similar to the aircraft it is derived from, the Harrier GR.3, possessing the same Pegasus 103 engine. It is worth noting however that the Sea Harrier carries additional weight in the form of the radar equipment within its nose and an altered aerodynamic profile to accommodate this.

Comparatively, the Sea Harrier turns more sluggishly than contemporary Harriers, but it still maintains the exceptional thrust and climb rate prevalent among its kind, able to climb up to lofty heights where it can maximise the range potential of its all-aspect AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles. It comes with the same thrust vectoring of other Harriers allowing the aircraft to pull tighter turns and make split second adjustments at the cost of speed and energy.

Characteristics	Max speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	1,150	1,144	12192	32.5	34.0	70.2	68.5	550
Upgraded	1,168	1,159		31.5	32.0	105.2	87.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
X	✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1191	648	N/A	829	556	~14	~6

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 648	< 950	< 790	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk.103		1	6,258 kg		462 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)				Max Gross Weight
Weight (each)	Type		9m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	33m fuel
1,640 kg	Vectored-thrust low-bypass turbofan		6,959 kg	7,661 kg	8,363 kg	8,593 kg	11,409 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition	100%	WEP	9m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	33m fuel	MGW
Stationary	9,150 kgf	9,709 kgf	1.40	1.27	1.16	1.13	0.85
Optimal	9,150 kgf (0 km/h)	9,709 kgf (0 km/h)	1.40	1.27	1.16	1.13	0.85

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff

Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural1 191 km/h

Gear648 km/h

The Sea Harrier FRS.1 possesses no armour. All of its internal modules are arrayed in close proximity within the fuselage centred around the engine.

The Sea Harrier is not a sturdy aircraft and can be destroyed fairly easily owing to its compact assembly. However, if the damage taken is not enough to outright down the Harrier such as damage to flaps or wings, the Harrier can in an emergency leverage its thrust vectoring to compensate for lift lost from wing damage and limp back to the airfield for repair at the cost of being exceptionally vulnerable to enemy aircraft on the way.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 288 → 4 816

RB8 225 → 12 049

SB9 865 → 14 452

Total cost of modifications227 000

353 000

Talisman cost2 800

Crew training200 000

Experts710 000

Aces2 800

Research Aces1 080 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

80 / 300 / 600 %

232 / 232 / 232 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 330 New boosters Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 390 Wings repair Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 420 Engine Research: 25 000 Cost: 39 000 740	Fuselage repair Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 330 G-suit Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 390 Airframe Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 390 Cover Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 420 EFS Research: 25 000 Cost: 39 000 740	aden_belt_pack Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 330 Flares/Chaff Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 330 1000 LB Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 390 aden_new_gun Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 420 AIM-9L Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 420 Matra №7 Mk 1 Research: 25 000 Cost: 39 000 740

As with most aircraft at the tier the Sea Harrier competes at, it is advisable to prioritise unlocking the Flare/Chaff upgrade to greatly increase survivability of the Harrier against very commonly encountered IR missiles. After which, pursuing the unlock of the Sea Harrier's own AIM-9L Sidewinder capability is highly recommended as this will encompass most of the jet's offensive capability when dealing with other aircraft.

A further advantageous unlock would be to acquire the 1,000 lb bombs which can be grabbed while prioritising the unlock of the AIM-9L's: these will allow unlocking further upgrades and RP by bombing bases before turning to engage enemy aircraft. Once sufficient weapons and countermeasures are unlocked then it is recommended to focus entirely on flight performance upgrades to make the most of the superb climbing and thrust of the Pegasus engine.

Recommended path:

Flares/Chaff -> 1000 LB bombs -> New Boosters -> AIM-9L -> Wings Repair -> Engine -> Compressor -> Cover -> Airframe -> Fuselage Repair -> G-suit > EFS -> Offensive 30 mm belts -> New 30 mm cannons -> Matra No7 Mk 1 rockets

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)	CCRP (Bombs)

Offensive armament

The Sea Harrier FRS.1 is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • 2 x 30 mm ADEN Mk.4 cannons, belly-mounted (130 rpg = 260 total)
  • 2 x 30 mm ADEN Mk.4 cannons + 60 x countermeasures

The 30 mm ADEN cannons are identical to those found on the GR.1/3 and the AV-8A/C found in the USA tech tree. These are very hard-hitting guns that can bring down an enemy aircraft with even glancing blows. However on the Harrier family they are often located low on the belly in an awkward spot, possess low muzzle velocity, and often very limited ammunition. They can however be used to great effect on larger aircraft such as A-10s or Su-25s when a quick and snappy burst needs to do fatal damage.

Suspended armament

The Sea Harrier FRS.1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4	5
1,000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 bombs		1, 2	1	1, 2
1,000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 No.117 bombs		1, 2	1	1, 2
RP rockets		36		36
AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles	1				1
AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles	1, 2				1, 2

Default weapon presets

Without load 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles 2 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles 4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles 72 x RP rockets 3 x 1,000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 bombs (3,000 lb total) 3 x 1,000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 No.117 bombs (3,000 lb total) 4 x 1,000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 bombs (4,000 lb total) 4 x 1,000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 No.117 bombs (4,000 lb total) 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles + 5 x 1,000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 bombs (5,000 lb total) 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles + 72 x RP rockets 4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles + 5 x 1,000 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.13 bombs (5,000 lb total) 4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles + 72 x RP rockets

AIM-9G Sidewinder missile:

The AIM-9G is a potent missile but may begin to feel a little lacklustre at the BR the Sea Harrier operates at. The stock missile option for the Sea Harrier and only able to hold 2 of them on wing-mounted pylons. 9Gs are rear-aspect only but come with a very large seeker cage, 18G of maximum overload and the option for radar-slaving which the Sea Harrier is uniquely able to capitalise on amongst its brethren Harriers. When employing these with the Harrier in particular, it is advisable to deploy them from an altitude advantage on unaware enemies.

AIM-9L Sidewinder missile:

The AIM-9L is a further upgrade of the Sidewinder missile. It retains the radar-slaving capability of the 9G but with a much smaller seeker cage. However instead the 9L now enables the Sidewinder to have all-aspect functionality and up to 30G of maximum overload. This greatly enhances the killing and lock-acquiring capability of the missile with the added benefit of some flare-resistance which will be noticeable especially when firing from a rear-aspect on an aircraft with an afterburner. A potent missile which can be used more widely than the 9G with particular regards to the Sea Harrier, but again is very strong capitalising on the climb rate of the sea Harrier to be deployed almost in a 'sniping' way.

1000 LB Mk.13 bomb:

A common bomb found on British aircraft, the Mk.13 can be employed with the onboard CCIP to be accurately delivered and the Harrier can carry a maximum of 5 alongside its AAM loadout of choice. A full payload of these bombs can destroy a single base in Air battles and are sufficient to destroy enemy armoured vehicles in ground battles with a TNT explosive equivalent of 296.48 kg per bomb.

RP rocket:

The Harrier can carry up to 72 RP rockets, these rockets are simple and can be aimed using the onboard CCIP. Each rocket is equivalent to 691.2 g of TNT and will require multiple hits to damage light vehicles to the point of destruction. However with only 10 mm of penetration these rockets will see little to no effect on MBTs or more thoroughly armoured vehicles.

Usage in battles

Use the Sea Harrier's quick takeoff and climb to ascend high above the normal altitude for battle, somewhere around 5-8 km depending on the map and approaching enemies. Due to the lacklustre turn capabilities and muzzle velocity of the cannons, it's not recommended to engage in dogfights. Instead, use your AIM-9Ls to your advantage and target enemies already engaged or simply oblivious to your presence above them. When done correctly and carefully, this can quietly get you 2-3 kills in a single flyout.

Your cannons are also effective at destroying ground targets which can provide extra RP and SL once your missiles are expended. The Sea Harrier may also carry unguided rockets or bombs for additional ground pounding at the further expense of performance. However, it's important to note that you are at a disadvantage at lower altitude since you cannot climb as fast as other jets at the BR, and it's hard to shake off and outrun an opponent once they're on your tail. MiG-21s, F-5s, and J35s will easily outmanoeuvre you, and A-10s, Su-25s and Su-22s, while slower, can still outturn you and easily put you in their sights.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Retains the great climb rate and thrust of earlier Harrier's
• Addition of a search radar that can be used to slave the AAM's the Harrier can bring for off-angle shots
• 4 powerful AIM-9L all-aspect missiles

Cons:

• Subsonic in a bracket mostly populated with supersonic aircraft
• Sluggish in its turn radius
• Engines will overheat if run for too long at 100% throttle, management is required
• Limited WEP

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Sea Harrier FRS.1 from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• [Devblog] Squadron vehicles: Sea Harrier FRS.1

British Aerospace plc
Strike Aircraft	Harrier GR.7 · Sea Harrier FRS.1 (e) · Sea Harrier FRS.1
See also	British Aircraft Corporation · Hawker Aircraft Limited

Squadron aircraft
USA	A-4E Early
Germany	Me 262 A-1a/U1 · ◌Hunter F.58
USSR	Su-22M3
Britain	Firecrest · Sea Harrier FRS.1
Japan	▄F-5E FCU