Photos of the Marine pilots killed in the Harrier
Wonder if they'll point out those who were responsible for their own deaths.
What bothers me about this is that in defending the aircraft, we belittle the human cost. If the flight system is too complicated to be safe then other options should be looked at. But, if the mission is so critical that it justifies the risk, then so be it.
That is the why I am wondering "what is the LA Times up to." Any Marine Corps aviators that could weigh in on the issue of VTOL?
I knew two of the guys who bought it in Harriers.
Neither of them had ever impressed me with their basic airmanship. They would've eventually killed themselves in Phantoms or Hornets--the specific kill mechanism would have changed, that's all.
That's exactly what was done. The AV-8B version is much easier and safer to fly. It is still not safe enough? I don't know, are the LA and Houston freeways "safe enough"? I'm sure they "kill" more people in a few months than have died in all the harrier crashes everywhere in the world. The Harrier is operated by Spain, Italy, Thailand, and India, in addition to the US and UK, IIRC.