Years In Service: 1978 – 2026
Initial Flight: 5 November, 1981
The AV-8B Harrier is a single-seat, light attack V/STOL strike aircraft designed to replace the AV-8A and the A-4M light attack aircraft.
The Marine Corps requirement for a V/STOL light attack force has been well documented since the late 1950s. The AV-8B Harrier provided offensive air support to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Combining tactical mobility, responsiveness, reduced operating cost and basing flexibility, both afloat and ashore, V/STOL aircraft are particularly well suited to the special combat and expeditionary requirements of the Marine Corps.
The AV-8BII+(plus) features the APG-65 Radar common to the F/A-18 Hornet, as well as all previous systems and features common to the AV-8B Harrier II.By virtue of its Vertical/Short Take-Off / Landing (V/STOL) capability, the AV-8B operated from a variety of amphibious ships, rapidly constructed expeditionary airfields, forward sites (e.g., roads), and damaged conventional airfields. This made the aircraft particularly well-suited for providing dedicated close air support. Other tasks included deep air support, armed reconnaissance, air interdiction, combat air patrol, armed escort missions and offensive missions against enemy ground-to-air defenses.
During Operation Desert Storm, the USMC AV-8Bs participated extensively in expeditionary air operations. The Harrier II was the first Marine Corps tactical strike platform to arrive in theater and subsequently operated from various bases. More than 86 AV-8Bs operated from airfields and sea-based platforms in 1991–92. Some of these bases were only 35 nautical miles (40.22 miles) from the front lines, allowing these Harrier IIs to be highly responsive to meet critical close-air support requests. The unique design and basing plans allowed the aircraft to land, refuel and rearm, and then take off on a subsequent mission in less than 23 minutes. The AV-8B flew 3,380 sorties, or combat missions, for a total of 4,083 flight hours while maintaining a mission capable rate in excess of 90%. This level of operations demonstrated the built-in capabilities of this versatile aircraft. The USMC is using F/A-18s or the new F-35B to replace AV-8B operations.
Aircraft Specifications
Height: 11′ 7″ Wingspan: 30′ 3″ Length: 46′ 3″ Crew: 2 Armament: 30mm cannon pod Payload: Up to 18,900 lbs. in vertical take-off Thrust: UNK No. of Engines: 1 Max Speed: UNK Ceiling: UNK