JOINT FORCE HARRIER (JFH) AND JOINT HELICOPTER COMMAND (JHC)

JOINT FORCE HARRIER (JFH)

The Joint Force Harrier (JFH) was established on 1 April 2000 and brought together the Sea Harrier FA2 Squadrons, previously under Naval Air Command, with the RAF's Harrier GR 7/7A GR 9/9A Squadrons in a new command within RAF 1 Group. However, less than two years later, it was announced that the Sea Harrier FA.2 was to be retired early from the JFH under a development that will see the JFH standardise on the RAF’s Harrier GR 9/9A. Announcing the move in 2002, UK MoD officials said the type rationalisation was in preparation for the introduction of the Future Joint Combat Aircraft and the Future Aircraft Carrier in 2012.

The MoD explained that the optimum development of the JFH is to support only one Harrier type to its end of service life, the 'more capable GR 9'. The Sea Harrier FA.2 was therefore withdrawn from service between 2004 and March 2006.

Joint Force Harrier consists of four Squadrons as follows:
 

All four squadrons should have 12 pilots each and eventually all will operate the Harrier GR 9/9A and T 12.

We would expect the AAC armed helicopter to deal with the localised armoured threats to a British force on operations, with RAF aircraft (such as the Harrier) used on larger targets at a great distance from the forward edge of the battle area. However, high performance modern aircraft are very expensive and fast jet pilots take up to three years to train.

It would only be sensible to risk such valuable systems when all other options had failed. In addition, the strength of enemy air defences would probably allow only one pass to be made over the target area. A second pass by fixed- wing aircraft after ground defences had been alerted would be problematical.

JOINT HELICOPTER COMMAND (JHC)

The UK armed forces' Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) became operational on 1 April 2000. During early 2006 the JHC had about 420 aircraft from the Royal Navy, Army Air Corps and Royal Air Force under command.

We would expect the AAC armed helicopter to deal with the localised armoured threats to a British force on operations, with RAF aircraft (such as the Harrier used on larger targets at a great distance from the forward edge of the battle area. However, high performance modern aircraft are very expensive and fast jet pilots take up to three years to train.

It would only be sensible to risk such valuable systems when all other options had failed. In addition, the strength of enemy air defences would probably allow only one pass to be made over the target area. A second pass by fixed- wing aircraft after ground defences had been alerted would be problematical.

Royal Air Force
25 x Chinook HC2/2a
24 x Puma HC1
19 x Merlin HC3

Royal Navy
25 x Sea King HC4
4 x Sea King HC6

Army
76 x Lynx AH7/AH9
52 x Gazelle
38 x Apache Mk1
6 x Bell 212
3 x A109

In a normal non-operational environment (with the exception of Lynx), each individual aircraft is resourced to fly approximately 400 hours per year. The Lynx fleet is resourced for 23,900 hours, which averages 206 hours per aircraft.

HELICOPTERS IN UK SERVICE

During January 2007 the UK MoD produced the following figures for helicopters in service with all three armed services, and the length of in-service life. Although planned out of service and contract expiry dates have been given, the UK MoD has emphasised that no decisions have yet been taken on the shape of the future helicopter programme, or the individual components within it.

In addition to the aircraft above, the UK MoD contracts for a Commercially Owned Military Registered (COMR) fleet of helicopters. These helicopters are on the Military Register and flown by military aircrew, but are owned and maintained by commercial operators.

The RAF Contribution to the JHC is as follows: