Harrier 2001 was developed by Texas based Paradigm Entertainment, well known for their involvement in Pilotwings 64, and the game was to be released by Japanese publisher Video System. The game was originally called Flights of the U.N. and Harrier Jets (unconfirmed), but changed it's title to Harrier 2000 and later Harrier 2001 as the game got delayed, though it was originally supposed to ship to US retailers during the summer 1999, followed by a European release during Autumn the same year.

Unfortunately Video System and Paradigm weren't "on the same page" concerning the game and Video System decided to pull the plug on the project, even though the game was near finished, roughly 85% complete according to former project team members.

The game was what should make wrong, Aero Fighters Assault, right for Paradigm. Harrier 2001 was a one man army, though the game could be played with up to 4 people, who was sent on 50 missions taking place in the Falklands and Iraq, all crammed into 64mbit game.

On a side note it can be mentioned that Paradigm was acquired by Atari in August 2000 and was then sold to THQ in 2006.