CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The Sea Harriers of the Indian Naval Air Squadron 300 (INAS 300) were bid adieu morning of May 11. Also known as ‘White Tigers’, the Sea Harriers fighter aircrafts will make way for new generation of fighters–Russian Mig29K jets.

Detailed explanation-2: -In March 2011, the decision to retire the Harrier was controversial as there was no immediate fixed-wing replacement in its role or fixed-wing carrier-capable aircraft left in service at the time; in the long term, the Harrier II was replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Harrier, informally referred to as the Harrier jump jet, is a family of jet-powered attack aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing operations (V/STOL). Named after a bird of prey, it was originally developed by British manufacturer Hawker Siddeley in the 1960s.

Detailed explanation-4: -The decision to close down the British Harrier force almost overnight was significant in many ways. The joint Royal Air Force/Royal Navy fleet of vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) aircraft stemmed from a Cold War desire to operate from small, unprepared airstrips.