McDonnell Douglas/BAe AV-8B Harrier II

Summary

Description

The AV-8B Harrier II is a single-engine ground-attack aircraft capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL). It originates from the United Kingdom, designed by Hawker Siddeley in the 1960s, originally as the Harrier Jump Jet. The AV-8B is a development of the earlier AV-8A Harrier, which was a license-built version of the British Hawker Siddeley Harrier. The AV-8B was developed and produced in the United States by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing) in collaboration with British Aerospace (now BAE Systems). It entered service with the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1980s and has been a key component of their air capabilities since then.

The development of the AV-8B Harrier II can be traced back to the successful deployment of the earlier AV-8A Harrier with the U.S. Marine Corps. Recognizing the potential of the original Harrier design and its V/STOL capabilities, the U.S. sought to enhance its performance, range, and payload capacity. This led to a collaborative effort between McDonnell Douglas in the U.S. and British Aerospace in the UK.

During its development, the primary objective was to address the limitations of the previous AV-8A model. This resulted in a redesign of the aircraft's wing, which was enlarged to increase fuel capacity and lift. The new wing design also incorporated leading-edge root extensions, which provided improved slow-flight control. The nose was raised to accommodate a new radar, leading to better targeting and navigation systems. Additionally, the AV-8B was equipped with an updated version of the Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine, offering enhanced thrust and efficiency.

One of the most notable design features of the AV-8B is its ability to perform vertical takeoffs and landings, attributed to its unique thrust vectoring nozzles. These nozzles can be rotated to direct thrust either downwards or towards the rear, allowing the aircraft to hover, take off, or land in confined spaces. This V/STOL capability made the Harrier II particularly valuable for the U.S. Marine Corps, as it could be deployed from amphibious assault ships, forward bases, and even makeshift runways.

Armament

• Guns: The aircraft is equipped with a General Dynamics GAU-12 Equalizer, a 25mm five-barrel rotary cannon. This gun is mounted in the left fuselage and is often used for strafing runs against ground targets.
• Missiles: The AV-8B can carry a range of air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles. For air-to-ground roles, it can deploy AGM-65 Maverick missiles, which are precision-guided munitions effective against armored targets. For air-to-air defense, it can be equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, which are infrared-guided and used primarily for self-defense against enemy aircraft.
• Bombs: The Harrier II has the capability to carry a variety of bombs, including laser-guided bombs (LGBs), general-purpose bombs, and cluster bombs. This allows it to engage a diverse set of targets, from enemy infrastructure and vehicles to troop concentrations.
• Advanced Targeting: The AV-8B Night Attack variant and the subsequent AV-8B Harrier II Plus introduced advanced sensors and targeting systems. The latter variant incorporated the AN/APG-65 radar, which enhanced its targeting capabilities and allowed it to deploy radar-guided munitions. Additionally, some Harriers are equipped with the LITENING targeting pod, which provides advanced laser targeting, infrared imaging, and range-finding capabilities.

Operational history

The AV-8B Harrier II entered service with the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1980s, succeeding the AV-8A. It was designed to provide the Marines with air superiority and close air support capabilities, particularly in scenarios where traditional runways were unavailable or compromised.

The AV-8B's first major combat deployment came during the Gulf War. Harriers were used extensively in Operation Desert Storm, performing air-to-ground missions against Iraqi forces. They operated from amphibious assault ships in the Persian Gulf and forward bases in Saudi Arabia. Their V/STOL capability proved invaluable in this theater, enabling rapid repositioning and flexible operations.

During the Balkan conflicts in the 1990s, Harrier IIs participated in NATO operations over Bosnia. They were involved in air strikes and reconnaissance missions as part of Operation Deny Flight and later operations.

The AV-8B saw extensive service during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2002-2003. It was used in the initial invasion and subsequent operations, providing close air support for coalition troops and targeting insurgent strongholds.

In the war in Afghanistan after 9/11, Harriers were deployed as part of the U.S. and coalition forces. Operating from bases like Kandahar, they provided air support for ground troops engaged with Taliban and insurgent forces.

Harrier IIs were involved in NATO's Operation Unified Protector during the Libyan Civil War in 2011. They conducted air-to-ground missions against pro-Gaddafi forces, operating from both land bases and naval vessels.

Beyond these major conflicts, the AV-8B Harrier II has been a staple of U.S. Marine Corps deployments worldwide. It has been stationed on amphibious assault ships, providing rapid response capabilities in various regions and participating in numerous joint exercises and operations.

As time progressed, the U.S. Marine Corps began transitioning to the F-35B Lightning II, a newer V/STOL multirole stealth fighter. The F-35B is slated to replace the Harrier II in the Marine Corps inventory, marking the end of the AV-8B's operational service.

Variants

• AV-8B: Initial production variant, designed primarily for air-to-ground missions during daylight hours. Lacked the advanced sensors and avionics of later models.
• AV-8B Night Attack: Enhanced version with improved night-time and all-weather capabilities. Incorporated forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and a cockpit optimized for night operations. Improved engine for better performance.
• AV-8B Harrier II Plus: Featured the AN/APG-65 radar, providing better targeting and air-to-air capabilities. Compatible with AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. Enhanced avionics and software compared to the Night Attack variant, with an APG-65 radar and separate targeting pod.
• TAV-8B: Two-seat training variant, designed to train new pilots transitioning to the Harrier II. Lacks the radar and some combat capabilities of the single-seat versions.
• EAV-8B Matador II: Spanish version of the Harrier II, developed for the Spanish Navy's aircraft carrier fleet, similar to the U.S. Marine Corps' Harrier IIs.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	United States	99
	Italy	15
	Spain	13

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Spain • United Kingdom • Italy • United States

Armament

Missiles payload:

• Air-to-Surface AGM-65 Maverick
• Air-to-Surface AGM-84 Harpoon
• Anti-Radiation AGM-88 HARM
• Air-to-Air Medium-Range AIM-120 AMRAAM
• Air-to-Air Short-Range Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder

Bombs payload:

• Cluster Mk 20 Mod 0 Rockeye

Photo of AV-8B Harrier II

3-view profile