OVERVIEW: The AV-8B Harrier II belongs to the second generation of the Harrier family, a single-engine, subsonic, V/STOL, strike aircraft designed for close air support, interdiction, and deep strike missions in support of Marine expeditionary operations. The 1995 configuration was night-capable, operated without radar, and relied on electro-optical navigation and targeting systems.

DETAILS: By 1995, the AV-8B Harrier II featured a Pegasus F402-RR-408 turbofan engine, enabling vertical and short takeoff and landing with speeds up to Mach 0.9. It included 7 external hardpoints, a digital moving map, NVG-compatible cockpit, RWR, inertial navigation system, and a fixed nose-mounted AN/AAR-51 FLIR sensor. The aircraft supported both unguided and precision-guided munitions and was capable of operating from austere airstrips or amphibious assault ships. The 1995 model remained without radar and depended fully on visual and thermal imaging for target acquisition and navigation in low-light conditions.

The designation "AV" stands for "Attack Vertical", referring to its V/STOL combat role. The 1995 configuration was part of the Night Attack AV-8B standard, originally introduced in 1992, but by 1995 it had reached full fleet-wide operational use. It retained the MIL-STD-1553 digital bus, NVG-compatible cockpit, and was compatible with the AN/ALQ-164 ECM pod. No hardware changes were introduced compared to the 1992 version, but software refinements and mission planning enhancements may have been fielded during this period.

TYPE: V/STOL ground-attack aircraft

FUNCTION: This model was specifically used for expeditionary close air support and night strike operations, optimized for launch from forward operating bases or amphibious ships. It was preferred for operations in low-light or adverse weather environments due to its FLIR and navigation suite, though its lack of radar limited beyond-visual-range capability.

NOTE:
IOC: 1985 (AV-8B), 1992 (Night-Attack), 1995 (full fielding of Night-Attack configuration)
Operators: United States
Conflict used in: Bosnia (1995), Iraq (2003–2009), Afghanistan (2001–2013)

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