OVERVIEW: The AV-8B Harrier II+ belongs to the second generation of the Harrier family, a single-engine, subsonic, V/STOL, strike fighter equipped with radar and electro-optical systems for multirole missions including air-to-surface and limited air-to-air combat. The Spanish Navy’s VA.1B Matador II entered service in 1997 as a radar-equipped model derived from the Night Attack configuration.

DETAILS: The EAV-8B Harrier II+ is powered by the Rolls-Royce F402-RR-408 Pegasus turbofan, capable of vertical/short takeoff and speeds up to Mach 0.9. It includes 7 external hardpoints, an upgraded cockpit with NVG compatibility, digital moving map, MIL-STD-1553 data bus, and a nose-mounted AN/APG-65 multimode radar. Additional systems include a RWR, integrated AN/AAR-51 FLIR, and compatibility with advanced precision-guided munitions. It was configured for operations from the Spanish Navy’s aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias and other maritime platforms.

The “EAV” designation indicates "España, Attack, Vertical", while “VA.1B” is the Spanish military designation. The AV-8B+ model added the AN/APG-65 radar, originally developed for the F/A-18, enabling beyond-visual-range missile employment, improved situational awareness, and enhanced strike capability. The Spanish version retained all features of the Night Attack configuration and was delivered with compatibility for NATO-standard weapons and Spanish-specific communications systems.

TYPE: V/STOL multirole strike aircraft

FUNCTION: This model was primarily used by the Spanish Navy for carrier-based multirole operations, including maritime strike, fleet air defense, and close air support. Its radar capability allowed it to perform interception and limited air superiority tasks alongside its primary surface attack mission from naval platforms.

NOTE:
IOC: 1997 (EAV-8B Harrier II+ Spain)
Operators: Spain
Conflict used in: Libya (2011)

SOURCE:
Spanish Navy Official Website: https://armada.defensa.gob.es ; U.S. Naval Air Systems Command: https://www.navair.navy.mil ; Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) ; Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_AV-8B_Harrier_II