Regan Brown
The Harrier, also known as the Harrier Jump Jet, is a family of jet-powered attack aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing operations. The Harrier emerged as the only truly successful V/STOL design of the many attempted in the 1960s. The AV-8B Harrier II has an internal fuel capacity of 7,500 lb (approximately 1,100 gallons), which is a 50% increase compared to its predecessor. The Harrier's fuel capacity can be supplemented by external drop tanks, which give the aircraft a maximum ferry range of 2,100 mi (3,300 km) and a combat radius of 300 mi (556 km).
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What You'll Learn
- The Harrier jet's internal fuel capacity is 7,500 lb (or 1,100 gallons)
- External drop tanks can carry extra fuel
- The Harrier jet's fuel consumption rate is approximately 1 gallon per second
- The Harrier jet consumes less fuel with a short takeoff than a vertical takeoff
- The Harrier jet can hover for 45 seconds or more
The Harrier jet's internal fuel capacity is 7,500 lb (or 1,100 gallons)
The Harrier Jump Jet is a family of jet-powered attack aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing operations (V/STOL). The Harrier gets its name from the bird of prey and 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.
The Harrier Jet has an internal fuel capacity of 7,500 lb (or 1,100 gallons). This is a 50% increase in fuel capacity compared to its predecessor. The Harrier's fuel capacity can be supplemented by hardpoint-compatible external drop tanks, which give the aircraft a maximum ferry range of 2,100 mi (3,300 km) and a combat radius of 300 mi (556 km). The Harrier can also be refueled in the air using the probe-and-drogue system.
The Harrier's ability to take off vertically is limited by its maximum loaded weight. In most cases, a short takeoff is required to lift the required amount of fuel and weapons needed for a training sortie or mission. A short takeoff also uses less fuel than a vertical takeoff. On some aircraft carriers, a ski-jump ramp is used to help the aircraft take off.
The Harrier's fuel consumption is difficult to determine, as it depends on various factors such as payload, engine type, and flight conditions. However, one source estimates that the Harrier consumes fuel at a rate of about one gallon per second, which would allow it to hover for more than 15 minutes.
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External drop tanks can carry extra fuel
The Harrier jet, also known as the Harrier jump jet, is a family of jet-powered attack aircraft capable of vertical or short take-off and landing operations (V/STOL). The Harrier jet has an internal fuel capacity of 7,500 lb or 1,100 gallons, which is a 50% increase compared to its predecessor.
However, the Harrier jet also has the option of utilising external drop tanks to carry extra fuel. These external tanks are attached to hardpoints on the aircraft and can significantly extend the jet's range. Each external drop tank can hold up to 300 gallons of fuel, increasing the total fuel capacity and the jet's endurance.
The use of external drop tanks is particularly advantageous when the Harrier jet needs to take off with a heavy load or operate in challenging conditions, such as desert environments. In such scenarios, the additional fuel provided by the external tanks ensures that the jet has sufficient fuel reserves to meet the demands of the mission.
The ability to carry extra fuel through external drop tanks enhances the versatility and operational capabilities of the Harrier jet. It allows the aircraft to undertake longer missions, cover greater distances, and adapt to varying payload configurations. This flexibility has proven valuable in both military and humanitarian operations, making the Harrier jet a valuable asset in a range of scenarios.
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The Harrier jet's fuel consumption rate is approximately 1 gallon per second
The Harrier jet, also known as the Harrier jump jet, is a family of jet-powered attack aircraft capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing operations. The Harrier jet's fuel consumption rate is approximately 1 gallon per second.
The Harrier jet carries about 1000 gallons of internal fuel. At a rate of 1 gallon per second, this fuel load would last for more than 15 minutes. This estimate seems high, but it is within the realm of possibility. The Harrier jet can hover for more than 45 seconds, which would consume about 45 gallons of fuel.
The Harrier jet's fuel capacity can be extended with the use of hardpoint-compatible external drop tanks. These additional fuel reservoirs increase the jet's range and endurance, allowing for longer missions and greater operational flexibility.
The Harrier jet's fuel consumption rate of 1 gallon per second is notable, and the jet's ability to carry 1000 gallons of internal fuel contributes to its performance and capabilities. However, it is important to consider that the actual fuel consumption can vary depending on various factors, such as payload weight, manoeuvres, and environmental conditions.
The Harrier jet's vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, enabled by its powerful engines and unique design, contribute to its versatility and tactical advantage in a range of military and humanitarian operations.
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The Harrier jet consumes less fuel with a short takeoff than a vertical takeoff
The Harrier jet, also known as the Harrier jump jet, is a family of jet-powered attack aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing operations (V/STOL). The Harrier jet was originally developed by British manufacturer Hawker Siddeley in the 1960s and was conceived to operate from improvised bases without requiring large and vulnerable air bases.
The Harrier jet's internal fuel capacity is 7,500 lb (3,400 kg), which is equivalent to approximately 1,100 gallons. This gives the aircraft a maximum ferry range of 2,100 mi (3,300 km) and a combat radius of 300 mi (556 km). However, when taking off with heavy combat payloads or in desert conditions, the Harrier jet requires water cooling for the engines, which increases fuel consumption.
Due to the high fuel requirements of a vertical takeoff, the Harrier jet typically utilizes a short takeoff to lift the required amount of fuel and weapons needed for a training sortie or mission. A short takeoff also allows the aircraft to use forward speed to supplement the jet lift with aerodynamic lift, resulting in lower fuel consumption compared to a vertical takeoff.
To increase the fuel capacity of the Harrier jet, external drop tanks can be attached to hardpoints on the aircraft. These external drop tanks can provide an additional 600 gallons of fuel, allowing the aircraft to carry a total of 2,336 gallons of fuel.
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The Harrier jet can hover for 45 seconds or more
The Harrier jump jet is a family of jet-powered attack aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing operations (V/STOL). The Harrier jet can hover for 45 seconds or more, according to a user on physicsforums.com who witnessed this at two air shows. The user also noted that the Harrier jet carries about 1000 gallons of internal fuel, which is supported by another user on the same forum. This is also supported by a Reddit user who states that the Harrier jet has an internal fuel capacity of 7500 lb, which equates to approximately 1100 gallons.
The Harrier jet's ability to hover is due to its powerful engines, which provide a significant amount of thrust. According to another user on physicsforums.com, the weight of an empty Harrier jet is 22,950 lb, and it can generate 23,800 lb of thrust from its Pegasus Turbofan engines. This allows the Harrier jet to take off and hover with a significant amount of fuel and payload on board.
The Harrier jet's V/STOL capability is a result of its unique engine design, which allows the output nozzles of the jet engines to be steered to provide manoeuvrability. This enables the Harrier jet to direct thrust downward, forcing the aircraft upward and allowing it to hover.
The Harrier jet's ability to hover is also influenced by its fuel consumption rate. According to a user on physicsforums.com, the Harrier jet consumes fuel at a rate of about 1 gallon per second, which equates to a flight time of more than 15 minutes with its internal fuel capacity. However, another user on the same forum questioned this consumption rate, stating that it seemed high and that Hollywood depictions of jet fuel consumption in movies like "True Lies" may have influenced this perception.
The Harrier jet's fuel capacity and consumption rate are important considerations for its hovering capability. With its internal fuel capacity providing over 15 minutes of flight time, the Harrier jet can hover for extended periods and perform manoeuvres during air shows or other demonstrations. However, for training sorties or missions, a short takeoff is typically preferred as it uses less fuel than a vertical takeoff.
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Frequently asked questions
The Harrier Jet has an internal fuel capacity of 7,500 lb or 1,100 gallons.
The Harrier Jet often carries two 300-gallon drop tanks, bringing the total fuel capacity to 2,336 gallons.
The Harrier Jet uses JP5 fuel, which is also referred to as Jet A fuel.
At a government contract rate of $4.46 per gallon, it would cost $7,582 to fill the internal tanks and external drop tanks. At commercial rates, the cost would be $10,589.60.
