Harrier GR 9, ZG510 '81' of 1(F) Squadron carrying a Maverick air-to-ground missile on the outer pylon with an AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile inboard. A Sniper pod can be seen under the aircraft.

Harrier GR 7, ZD378 26' of IV (AC) Squadron with two Paveway II LGBs and an AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile under the wing. A Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pod (DJRP) is on one of the fuselage stations

Harrier GR 9, ZD328 '09’ of 41 (R) Squadron carrying a Paveway III LGB, AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile and a fuel tank on the wing pylons.

Since September 2004 RAF Harriers have been flying combat missions supporting ground forces in Afghanistan. Pilots are regularly attacking Taliban forces as well as performing reconnaissance. A Harrier GR 7 taxies out for a sortie from Kandahar carrying a 688lb bomb on the outer pylon and a CRV-7 rocket pod next to it.

A 1(F) Squadron Harrier GR.9 flies through a snowy valley in Wales at low-level. This, the latest variant in RAF service, first flew in May 2003 and was first used on combat missions in Afghanistan in February 2007

RAF Harriers regularly operate from Royal Navy carriers as pictured here. These aircraft are on HMS Illustrious off the coast of Scotland

Harrier T.10, ZH656 ‘104’ of 20 (R) Squadron with a BL755 cluster bomb, Paveway II LGB and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile on the wing pylons and a TIALD pod and gun pod on the fuselage stations. The latter are not operational on the Harrier and only carried for aerodynamic stability

Pictured is a two-seat trainer Harrier T.10 of 20(R) Squadron. This variant is being upgraded to T.12 standard.