Apr 5
Harrier: Let’s design a highly effective thrust vectoring system so the single jet engine can work for both vertical and horizontal flight, the main downside is supersonic flight becomes impossible, but its a good trade-off that keeps dead weight low and enough internal volume for fuel.
Other designers: LIFT ENGINES, WE NEED LIFT ENGINES, as many as we can add, who gives a shit about dead weight or lack of fuel, it’s VTOL time BABY!
And that’s how the Harrier became for the longest time the only true successful VTOL combat aircraft, earning glory over the skies of the South Atlantic by shooting down argentine combat aircraft with total impunity, while all other attempts were either cancelled or so bad they never served a combat purpose.
