Page 89 - Demo

89The Harrier%u2019s potential as an air defence fighter was enhanced byarming it with the AIM-9 Sidewinder.involved eighteen modifications, of which seven were directly associatedwith the navalisation of the Harrier. The initial plan provided for justtwelve aircraft to be modified but this soon rose to over twenty. Majorelements comprised changes to the INAS to allow alignment on amoving platform, nosewheel steering, nozzle detentes for ramp take-offs,fuel control units and the introduction of an AIM-9 capability, I-bandtransponder, tie-down shackles, drain holes and weather-proofing. Toachieve this in the time available while working up the squadronrequired additional aircraft and an intensive round-the-clock effort over aseven-day week.Inevitably, matters did not go entirely smoothly, particularly the issueof compatibility between the aircraft systems and the CVS. The AIM-9and INAS modifications were even more time-consuming and it wasonly the delay in the deployment of the Harriers that allowed these to becompleted in time. Altogether, eighteen modified aircraft were deployedof which nine (the second wave) were also fitted with ALE-40 chaff andflare dispensers and ECM. The latter, unofficially known as %u2018Blue Eric%u2019,after its project officer Squadron Leader Eric Annal, went from conceptto manufacture, testing and deployment in the incredible time of fifteendays.7 A further two modifications were introduced in May (for LGB andShrike) the necessary kits being despatched by air to the Task Force.SUPPLYI will return to the operational aspects of the engineering effort but