The Harrier II GR5, GR7 and GR9 series is a second generation vertical/short takeoff and landing aircraft used by the RAF and since 2006 the Royal Navy.
It was developed from the earlier original Harrier design and is closely related to the American built AV8b Harrier 2, with both variants being primarily used for light attack or multi-role tasks and are often operated from small aircraft carriers.
The first operational deployment of the Harrier GR9 was in January 2007 at Kandahar in Afghanistan as part of the NATO – ISAF force. Harrier GR7s were deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 as part of the expanded ISAF mission in the south of Afghanistan.
Reflecting the increased pace of operations, RAF Harrier GR7A's saw a large increase in munitions used, mainly CRV7 rockets and laser guided bombs used for supporting coalition ground forces since July 2006.
Between July and September the theatre total involving use of munitions deployed by British Harriers on planned operations and close air support to ground forces rose from 179 to 539.
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