Following the realisation that scrapping the Harrier (or rather selling the airframes to the Americans for spares) was a bit short sighted (read this as extremely) the British Government came to the realisation that they could do with an aircraft that could operate from the new carriers but didnt necessarily need the VTOL option, RJ where appointed and designed/built the Pelican.

Large wing area for a small aircraft along with utilising modern materials and construction techniques allowed for a robust and lightweight little aircraft.

The aircraft being designed solely for the Ground Attack role has multiple redundencies built in, it has 2 engines and can easily operate with 1 damaged, all moving tail plane also includes roll control which can compensate if ailerons are damaged, the lower surfaces of the engine pods are reinforced allowing for gear up landing if the U/C is damaged etc.

Armed to the teeth with 2x100mm autocannons, 2xAGM88 Harm, 2xAGM45 Shrike and 6x500lbs bombs as a standard loadout it packs a punch. 2 display aircraft flying past HMS Queen Elizabeth (image from google)

Shown here in the 2020 display season colour scheme and piloted by Jonathan Whaley who has been hired by RamboJutter Ltd. to show off the aircraft capabilities. Jonathan flew Hawker Hunter F58 "Miss Demeanor" on the civil dispay scene for nearly 15 years and was an exceptional addition to any airshow (the excuberant takeoff from RAF Waddington along with the hunters famous blue note lives long in my memory along with the displays at Sunderland seafront).

Cannon attack on tiny

Flaps down

High speed, low level