AV-8B Harrier II

AV-8B Harrier II is a single-engine, V/STOL ground-attack aircraft developed from the earlier Hawker Siddeley Harrier. A collaborative project between McDonnell Douglas in the United States and British Aerospace in the United Kingdom, it entered service with the United States Marine Corps in 1985. The aircraft is renowned for its ability to operate from short fields, amphibious assault ships, and forward operating bases, providing close air support for Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations.

Development and design

The program originated from a United States Marine Corps requirement for a more capable successor to the original AV-8A Harrier. McDonnell Douglas and British Aerospace collaborated on the design, which incorporated a new, larger supercritical airfoil wing made of carbon fiber composite materials. This redesign significantly increased fuel capacity and weapons payload over the Hawker Siddeley Harrier. The cockpit was redesigned with a bubble canopy for improved visibility, and the aircraft was fitted with a more powerful Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine. Key avionics included the Hughes Aircraft Company AN/ASB-19 Angle Rate Bombing System and later, night attack systems with FLIR and night vision goggles compatibility.

Operational history

The United States Marine Corps declared initial operational capability in 1985, with Marine Attack Squadron 331 being the first operational unit. The Harrier II saw extensive combat during the Gulf War, flying from bases in Saudi Arabia and from the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA-4). It provided vital close air support during Operation Desert Storm and later during Operation Southern Watch. The aircraft was heavily utilized in the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War, operating from forward arming and refueling points and ships like the USS Bataan (LHD-5). The final USMC squadron, Marine Attack Squadron 223, retired the type in 2022, transitioning to the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II.

Variants

The initial production model was the AV-8B Harrier II, followed by the AV-8B Harrier II Night Attack, which added FLIR and other enhancements. The AV-8B Harrier II Plus was a major upgrade featuring the AN/APG-65 radar from the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, enabling beyond-visual-range missile capability with the AIM-120 AMRAAM. A two-seat trainer version was designated TAV-8B. The British Aerospace built equivalent for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy was the Harrier GR5/GR7/GR9.

Operators

The primary operator was the United States Marine Corps, which flew the aircraft from its introduction until 2022. The Italian Navy acquired the Harrier II Plus for its ITS *Giuseppe Garibaldi*, with aircraft operated by the Gruppo Aerei Imbarcati. The Spanish Navy operated them from its carrier SPS *Príncipe de Asturias*, with squadrons such as the 9th Fighter Attack Squadron. Both European operators have since transitioned to the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II.

Specifications (AV-8B Harrier II Plus)

* **Crew:** 1 * **Length:** 46 ft 4 in (14.12 m) * **Wingspan:** 30 ft 4 in (9.25 m) * **Height:** 11 ft 8 in (3.55 m) * **Empty weight:** 13,968 lb (6,340 kg) * **Max takeoff weight:** 31,000 lb (14,100 kg) * **Powerplant:** 1 × Rolls-Royce Pegasus F402-RR-408 vectored-thrust turbofan * **Maximum speed:** 673 mph (1,083 km/h, 585 kn) * **Range:** 1,200 mi (1,900 km, 1,000 nmi) * **Combat radius:** 300 nmi (350 mi, 556 km) * **Service ceiling:** 50,000 ft (15,000 m) * **Armament:** 1× 25 mm GAU-12 Equalizer cannon pod; 9,200 lb (4,200 kg) of ordnance on seven hardpoints, including AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AGM-65 Maverick, and various Mark 80 series bombs.

Category:Military aircraft