4 ms·
If it can't launch fighter jets, then what is the sloped ramp used for?
by d2viant 16y ago
If it can't launch fighter jets, then what is the sloped ramp used for?
- philwelch 16y agoHarriers. I don't know if ordinary fighter jets would even benefit from a ski jump, but the ski jump is to make up for how short the deck is (generally too short to launch a jet).
- d2viant 16y agoI thought harriers performed vertical takeoff, do they do traditional carrier launches as well?
- philwelch 16y agoYes! Harriers can perform vertical takeoff, but they can carry much more weight launching horizontally. More weight means carrying more fuel and more weapons, which makes it much more useful. See the links below; compare "max takeoff weight" for vertical takeoff ("VTO") and rolling takeoff (also called short takeoff, or "STO"). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAE_Harrier_II#Specifications_.28Harrier_GR7.29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAE_Harrier_II#Specifications_.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_AV-8B_Harrier_II#Specifications_.28AV-8B.2B_Harrier_II_Plus.29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_AV-8B_Harrier...