OVERVIEW: The AV-8B Harrier II belongs to the second generation of the Harrier family, single-seat, subsonic, V/STOL, multirole strike aircraft developed for the U.S. Marine Corps. It is optimized for close air support, interdiction, and strike missions in forward areas using improved avionics, payload, and handling over earlier Harrier models.

DETAILS: The AV-8B Harrier II was developed jointly by McDonnell Douglas and British Aerospace as a second-generation Harrier to address the range, payload, and avionics limitations of the AV-8A. It is powered by a Rolls-Royce Pegasus F402-RR-408 turbofan with four vectoring nozzles, allowing vertical/short takeoff and landing and a top speed of around Mach 0.9. The airframe uses composite materials to reduce weight and includes a larger wing for increased fuel and weapons carriage, with 6 wing stations plus 1 centerline hardpoint. The cockpit features a Head-Up Display (HUD), inertial navigation system, basic RWR, and digital stores management system, but no night vision compatibility or targeting pod integration in this day-only variant. Armament options include general-purpose bombs, cluster munitions, air-to-surface missiles, gun pods, and air-to-air missiles for self-defense. The aircraft was intended for close air support from forward operating bases and amphibious ships.

The designation "AV" stands for Attack, Vertical takeoff. AV-8B Entered service in 1985–1986 without advanced night systems or FLIR. It differed from later Night Attack and Radar variants by lacking night vision-compatible displays and targeting pods. Its focus remained on daytime visual-range strike and support using unguided or manually aimed guided weapons.

TYPE: V/STOL ground-attack aircraft

FUNCTION: It was primarily used for close air support and battlefield interdiction in support of Marine ground forces. The aircraft’s ability to operate from short runways, roads, or amphibious assault ships made it ideal for expeditionary warfare and rapid deployment near the front lines. Its simplicity, reliability, and improved payload over earlier Harrier variants made it a practical platform for direct fire support in limited-access combat zones.

NOTE:
IOC: 1985 (initial AV-8B), 1986 (full operational use by USMC)
Operators: United States
Conflict used in: Gulf War (1991), Bosnia (1990s), Iraq (2003–2004), Afghanistan (2001–2005)
Retired: Gradual phase-out began in 2010s; replaced by F-35B

SOURCE:
U.S. Marine Corps Aviation Plan ; Naval Air Systems Command: https://www.navair.navy.mil ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) ; Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft ; National Museum of the Marine Corps: https://www.usmcmuseum.com