Duke
Senior Member.
I believe this is the exact mission you're referring to:
I'll see if I can find any similar use of the Harrier.External Quote:
Early in the air campaign of Operation Desert Storm, the RAF must do a dangerous job. Panavia Tornado strike aircraft must maraud at low level through fierce Iraqi AAA and MANPAD fire to hit and disable Iraqi airfields. Given the most dangerous task of the campaign, losses are mounting.
To my knowledge, the airfield denial weapon I've talked about, the JP233, was not used operationally from the Harrier. I'm not even sure it was qualified for use on Harriers. We know it wasn't used in the Falklands, may not have been available at the time. The Sea Harriers/Harriers used against Stanley Airport were relatively ineffective in taking out runways. They knew this going in and that's why the Brits made the decision to resurrect what was left of their obsolescent Vulcan bomber force for the Black Buck raids.
That and flying nape-of-the-earth makes it difficult for ground based defenses to depress AAA and some SAM launcher low enough at longer ranges. Flying fast gives defenders less time to shoot when attackers get within range.I also forgot another common reason to fly low, especially low through valleys: to avoid enemy radar. (I think this is part of the plot of Top Gun Maverick )