In the second volume of Harrier Boys, as with the first, the history of this remarkable aircraft in service with UK armed forces is illustrated through personal reminiscences of the people who worked with it. The book begins with explanations of the mature concept of operations with the Harrier GR3 in the Cold War. It then progresses through the evolution of Harrier II, starting with the GR5, and updates to the Sea Harrier, while the potential battles to be fought necessitated ever-changing tactics and technology. The new Harriers used digital developments for airframe, engine and weapons control. Conflicts in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan saw ground-attack missions move towards the delivery of smart weapons from medium level, rather than the dumb bombs and low level of the Cold War era – meaning that the Harrier had once more to demonstrate its legendary versatility. The introduction of the Sea Harrier FA2, with its beyond visual range air-to-air missiles and improved radar, gave much improved air defense. The UK Harrier story ends with the closer integration of the RN and RAF forces, before the aircraft's all-too-early retirement in 2010, possibly decades before other countries forsake this unique capability.

• Cover
• Title
• PUBLISHER’S NOTE
• Copyright
• CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION : Bob Marston
• CONTRIBUTORS
• CHAPTER 1 THE THICK OF IT : Keith Marshall, Keith Grumbley, Gerry Humphreys,Bob Marston, Jock Heron
• CHAPTER 2 EACH TO HIS OWN : Roger Robertshaw
• CHAPTER 3 LOOKING AHEAD : Jock Heron
• CHAPTER 4 ACROSS THE POND : Don Fennessey, Marc Frith, Jon Davis
• CHAPTER 5 UNRELATED UNCLES : Tony Harper, Keith Skinner
• CHAPTER 6 BRIDGING THE GENERATIONS : Bernie Scott
• CHAPTER 7 ANOTHER RACING START : Andy Sephton, Heinz Frick
• CHAPTER 8 GR5 INTRODUCTION : Jonathan Baynton, Chris Benn
• CHAPTER 9 DISPLAYS : Bob Marston, Graham Williams, Jock Heron, Art Nalls
• CHAPTER 10 CROSSOVER : Mark Zanker
• CHAPTER 11 IN WITH THE NEW : Simon Turner
• CHAPTER 12 NIGHT ATTACK – PROOF OF CONCEPT : Mike Harwood
• CHAPTER 13 NIGHT ATTACK – REALISATION : Chris Burwell
• CHAPTER 14 HARRIER II BECOMES OPERATIONAL : Stuart Atha
• CHAPTER 15 COMBAT OPERATION COMMENCE – THE BALKANS : Stuart Atha
• CHAPTER 16 OPERATION ALLIED FORCE : Mark Zanker
• CHAPER 17 BOYS? : Mitch Webb
• CHAPTER 18 THE SEA HARRIER : Dave Baddams, Brian Johnstone
• CHAPTER 19 RESCUE AND FAITH : Mark Leakey, Bob Marston
• CHAPTER 20 ALL AT SEA : Mark Zanker, Steve Long
• CHAPTER 21 TRANSITION : Jim Arkell
• CHAPTER 22 THE FINAL PRODUCT : James Blackmore
• CHAPTER 23 THE END OF AN ERA : Gary Waterfall
• GLOSSARY
• Plate section