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Sea Harrier FA.2 Op Southern Watch loadout


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Hay guys. From a few sources I have found out that 801 NAS Sea Harriers enforcing the no fly zone as part of Operation Southern Watch in 1998 carried just two AIM-120B missiles on the fuselage stations. Some aircraft at some point also carried BOL chaff dispensing AIM-120/AIM-9 rails (presumably borrowed from the GR.7 Harriers on board) on the outer wing pylons but no missiles, still just the two AIM-120B on the fuselage stations. So my question is why only the two AMRAAM missiles? I thought possibly due to reduced engine performance in the hot climate maybe? But that is just a guess.

I also read that double AIM-9 launching rails stopped being used operationaly in 2000, again any idea why?

Cheers guys,

Dan.

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Hi Dan

Try a excellent site we have here in England called Britmodeller there is some ex Royal Navy chaps on the site who will be able to help with your questions.

Hope this helps.

Kind Regards

Craig

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Thanks mate, I managed to find the answer and it is due to the engines performance in hot temperatures. with more than two AIM-120 loaded it would have “struggled to hover with anything more than fumes in the tanks.” So landing back on the carrier would have been a problem!

Edited by dan
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