BAE Systems' new upgraded Harrier jet made its successful maiden flight from Warton airfield on Monday, a company spokesman said.
The Harrier GR9 -- featuring the latest in avionic systems and smart weapons capability -- made a 70 minute flight, including a short hover, on Monday afternoon.
The £500 million GR9 upgrade programme is being carried out for UK Joint Force Operations and will allow RAF Harriers to strike a wider range of targets, from longer range.
The GR9 will undergo more tests and developments, before the first of a series of releases is introduced in November 2004, the spokesman added.
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