Harrier GR.3 'Operation Corporate'

BAe Harrier GR.3 'Operation Corporate' The Hawker-Siddeley Harrier "Jump Jet" is a British V/STOL aeroplane developed in the 1960s. The initial version was the Harrier GR.1 fighter and its upgraded variant was the GR.1A. Another upgrade implementing more powerful and reliable engine resulted in the GR.3 model, at first externally similar to previous GR.1/1As. Beginning from the spring of 1976 upgraded avionics were fitted to GR.3s comprising the laser range finder in a lengthened nose cone and tail warning devices housed in the fin and tail cone. A total of 40 GR Mk.3s were built anew, and about 62 were converted from the existing GR.1/GR.1As.

The Harrier was a single-seat fixed-wing all-metal monoplane powered by a R-R Pegasus turbojet, used for ground-attack, close air support, reconnaissance and fighter roles. It was fitted with two air intakes and four vectoring nozzles for directing the thrust generated by the engine. It had a tandem undercarriage and two outrigger landing gear units. External store hard points were installed for carrying a variety of weapons and external fuel tanks: two under each wing and one under the fuselage, while two Aden cannon gun pods could also be fitted beneath the fuselage.

In the 1982 Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom, ten Harrier GR.3s of No.1 Sq. operated from the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. They provided close air support to the ground forces on the islands, attacked Argentine positions and were used in ground-attack missions against the main airfield and runway at Stanley.