The Harrier and Sea Harrier demonstrated that V/STOL could work because Britain pursued the problem with a focused effort. Cold War planning assumed that Soviet attacks could destroy established airfields before conventional aircraft used them. British aircraft might then have to operate from rough, improvised sites. V/STOL offered a way to keep air power available when normal runways could no longer support operations.
Notable Point · 17:13-17:54
Cold War airfield vulnerability behind British V/STOL
British V/STOL development answered the risk that Soviet attacks would destroy established airfields and force aircraft onto rough operating sites.