The BAE Sea Harrier FRS1 was a navelised fighter version of the original Royal Air Force's Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR3, the alterations notably included marine environment protection and Ferranti Blue Fox radar. The BAE Sea Harrier FRS1 entered service with the Royal Navy in mid 1978 and became fully operational two years later. A total of 57 Sea Harrier FRS1's were delivered to the Royal Navy over a 10 year period. The extensive use of the BAE Sea Harrier FRS1 in the Falklands War of 1982 highlighted several areas which could be improved including range, look-down radar and weapons capability, this resulted in the upgrade of the surviving aircraft to the FA2 specification in the late 1980's. It is of note that although six aircraft were lost in the Falklands campaign none of these were a result of air-to-air combat while the RN's BAE Sea Harrier FRS1 fighters shot down 21 Argentine aircraft. The only other Navy to operate the BAE Sea Harrier is the Indian Navy who operate the BAE Sea Harrier FRS51. Sea Harrier FRS.1 Specifications: Crew: Pilot only Length: 47.57ft (14.50m) Width: 25.26ft (7.70m) Height: 12.17ft (3.71m) Empty Weight: 14,054lbs (6,375kg) Maximum take off weight: 26,191lbs (11,880kg) Engine: Single 21,500 lbs thrust Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk 104 turbofan Maximum Speed: 736mph (1,185kmh; 640kts) Service ceiling: 50,997ft (15,544m; 9.7miles) Maximum Range: 466miles (750km) Rate-of-Climb: 50,000ft/min (15,240m/min)
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