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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