tflash Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 He guys, when there is no new issue of Airforces Monthly yet I often buy the glossy magazine "Warships", that focusses on naval powers. It must be said the Royal Navy is still mourning the early retirement of the Sea Harrier. In a virulent article, it is stated that the Fleet is now unprotected, since the claim that Missile Destroyers will give sufficient air protection is false. The main argument for this is, according to the author, the proliferation of the Kh-31 Krypton missile and the abundancy of platforms that are deemed able to launch it. On that last issue the author seems a little optimistic, since he seems to count any Mig-29/su-27 and derivatives capable of being adapted to launch this missile. The Krypton's supersonic speed, it is argued, gives fleet defenders too short notice to be able to fend it of, and the only option would be to intercept the launching aircraft early, at great distance from the ship (the classic Tomcat mission, at which the Sea Harrier is deemed sufficiently good). In Lockon at least it's a fact that you need fighter CAP's to protect your carrier from a massive Krypton attack. Alone with Oliver Perry's I do not manage to save my carrier unscathed. What do you think? [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
leafer Posted January 14, 2008 Posted January 14, 2008 Why did they retire them early and what are they replacing them with? I don't follow military news. ED have been taking my money since 1995. :P
tflash Posted January 14, 2008 Author Posted January 14, 2008 They retired them early for defense cuts. Of course, some MoD officials had a whole theory why this was a smart decision: not embarking the Sea Harrier means more place for Harrier GR.7/Gr.9 strike aircraft and thus more offensive power and a more streamlined maintenance (the Sea Harrier is an older generation Harrier with completely different airframe and avionics). They replaced them by nothing. Eventually, when the new carriers and their F-35B's come along somewhere way past 2012, the latter will have radar and A2A capability again. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
leafer Posted January 14, 2008 Posted January 14, 2008 So, it could be that they got rid of them to make room for the GR.7. I guess that makes sense. Thaks. Long live the Harrier. ED have been taking my money since 1995. :P
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