Harrier - The Jump Jet
21st Century History
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11m
From Cold War hover rigs to the dust-stripped battlefields of Afghanistan, the Harrier Jump Jet redefined the boundaries of combat aviation. Developed by British engineers with the revolutionary Pegasus engine, the Harrier became the world’s first operational fixed-wing V/STOL aircraft—capable of vertical takeoff, close air support from improvised sites, and dominating airspace from the decks of small carriers.
This documentary charts the full arc of the Harrier's remarkable journey—from the experimental P.1127 and the RAF’s first GR.1s, to the Sea Harrier’s dogfights over the Falklands, and the AV-8B Harrier II's frontline deployments in the Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Along the way, we explore the technical brilliance of vectored thrust, the unique demands placed on Harrier pilots, and the legacy this aircraft leaves as it is phased out in favor of the F-35B.
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