But GR9/9A ground-attack aircraft will continue operations until JSF enters service in 2012
Transformation of the UK's Joint Force Harrier fleet began in earnest last week, when the first of the Royal Navy's three squadrons of British Aerospace Sea Harrier FA2 fighters was decommissioned at RNAS Yeovilton.
The 31 March ceremony marked an end to operations of the air defence aircraft by the service's 800 Naval Air Sqn (NAS), which had flown the Sea Harrier FRS1 and FA2 fighters since 1980. The navy's two remaining Sea Harrier-equipped units - its 899 training squadron and 801 NAS - will be disbanded in March 2005 and March 2006, respectively.
After a two-year break in operations, 800 NAS will stand up again on 1 April 2006 at RAF Cottesmore, largely crewed by RN personnel and re-equipped with the UK's upgraded Harrier GR9/9A ground-attack aircraft. Several navy pilots have already transitioned to Joint Force Harrier's GR7 ground-attack aircraft in preparation for this move, while its last two new pilots to begin operations on the FA2 recently started squadron duties.
The improved Harrier GR9/9Afleet will continue operations from the RN's Invincible-class aircraft carriers until the replacement joint combat aircraft - Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter - enters service. This is due to take place in 2012 to coincide with the introduction of the UK's first of two future aircraft carriers, the second of which will be delivered in 2015.
Meanwhile, in a training accident last week at RNAS Culdrose, the RN lost its first AgustaWestland Merlin HM1 anti-submarine warfare aircraft assigned to an operational squadron. Five crew were injured when the 824 NAS aircraft crashed shortly after take-off: a US Navy exchange pilot was seriously injured.
The navy has launched an inquiry, but is continuing operations of its 42-strong Merlin fleet. The service's only other loss of the type was in 2000, when an aircraft assigned to the service's 700M trials unit ditched off the coast of Scotland.
CRAIG HOYLE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
