Harrier Jump Jet two systems are fully interlinked but air is not supplied to the reaction control valves during conventional wingborne flight. Harrier Jump Jet The Harrier, informally referred to as the Harrier Jump Jet, is a family of jet-powered attack aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing operations (V/STOL). Named after a bird of prey, it was originally developed by British manufacturer Hawker Siddeley in the 1960s. The Harrier emerged as the only truly successful V/STOL design of the many attempted during that era, despite being a subsonic aircraft, unlike most of its competitors. It was conceived to operate from improvised bases,
First-generation jet fighter American jet fighter to be put into service. It was never used in combat, as was mainly useful as an experimental fighter as its performance was inferior to the piston-engined North American P-51 Mustang which could reach higher top speeds and had a much greater range. Japan had some experimental models, such as the Nakajima J9Y "Kikka", but none saw operational use. The plans for the first operational jet fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 262 "Schwalbe" were drawn up in 1939, and the airplane first flew under jet power in 1942. The Me 262 was not operational until 1944, and its