OVERVIEW: The AV-8B Harrier II+ belongs to the second generation of the Harrier family, a single-engine, subsonic,  V/STOL multirole aircraft used by the U.S. Marine Corps for expeditionary strike, maritime attack, and close air support. The 2003 configuration combined radar capability with the full night attack suite for day/night, all-weather missions from land and sea platforms.

DETAILS: It is powered by the Rolls-Royce F402-RR-408 Pegasus vectored-thrust turbofan, reaches speeds up to Mach 0.9, and carries payloads on 7 external hardpoints. The 2003 aircraft includes confirmed systems such as the AN/APG-65 multimode radar, AN/AAR-51 FLIR, RWR, NVG-compatible cockpit displays, and a digital moving map. Confirmed armament includes AIM-9L Sidewinder and AGM-65 Maverick for air defense and precision strike. The platform maintained integration with the AN/ALQ-164 DECM pod for self-protection in contested environments.

The “+” designation reflects the addition of the AN/APG-65 radar to the Night Attack configuration, providing beyond-visual-range engagement, improved air-to-ground targeting, and maritime strike. No major changes were introduced to the structure, but this model remained fully compatible with previous Night Attack systems. Its radar, FLIR, and avionics suite enabled operations in all conditions while retaining V/STOL deployment from amphibious assault ships and forward bases.

TYPE: V/STOL multirole strike aircraft

FUNCTION: The 2003 version was widely used in Operation Iraqi Freedom for close air support, interdiction, and naval strike. Its capability to operate without prepared runways made it a central asset for expeditionary warfare and Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations.

NOTE:
IOC: 1993 (AV-8B Harrier II+ US)
Operators: United States
Conflict used in: Iraq (2003–2009), Afghanistan (2001–2009)

SOURCE:
U.S. Navy Naval Air Systems Command: https://www.navair.navy.mil ; U.S. Marine Corps Fact Files ; Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org ; Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_AV-8B_Harrier_II