The Harrier 'jump jet' is capable of near-sonic speed and hovering like a helicopter. As the first Vertical and Short Take-off and Landing (V/STOL) jet plane to enter military service, its first RAF squadron became operational in 1969.
 
During wing-borne flight, the Harrier operates like conventional aircraft, with the control column, rudder pedals and throttle used for piloting. The difference between the Harrier and other combat aircraft is its Rolls Royce Pegasus engine. This is a vectored-thrust turbofan engine with four rotating nozzles, which can be rotated through an arc of 98.5 degrees, allowing the engine's thrust to be applied from directly aft (in conventional flight) to straight down (for hovering), to slightly forward (for flying backwards).

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This manoeuvrability made the Harrier a dangerous enemy during the Falklands conflict. More recently, Harrier squadrons played a key role in the Iraq war - taking out strategic targets and providing close support for ground troops.