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, deep strike, and expeditionary operations from land or sea. The 2003 configuration was a radarless Night Attack model equipped with electro-optical systems for day and night operations in all weather conditions.

DETAILS: By 2003, the AV-8B Harrier II operated with the Pegasus F402-RR-408 turbofan, enabling vertical/short takeoff and landing with a maximum speed of approximately Mach 0.9. It featured 7 external hardpoints, NVG-compatible cockpit, digital moving map, RWR, inertial navigation system, and a fixed AN/AAR-51 FLIR sensor in the nose. The aircraft supported both conventional and precision-guided munitions and was configured for operations from amphibious assault ships and forward-deployed bases. It remained without radar and relied entirely on visual and infrared targeting systems.

The designation "AV" stands for "Attack, Vertical", reflecting its short/vertical takeoff and landing role. The 2003 model represented the fully matured Night Attack configuration, which was introduced in the early 1990s and fielded across the fleet by the late 1990s. It retained compatibility with the AN/ALQ-164 DECM pod for radar threat jamming and self-defense, and its systems were integrated via the MIL-STD-1553 data bus. No new sensors or radar capability had yet been introduced to the baseline AV-8B by 2003.

TYPE: V/STOL ground-attack aircraft

FUNCTION: This configuration was heavily employed for close air support and deep strike missions in support of Marine ground forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was selected for its ability to operate close to the front lines from austere runways or LHD-class amphibious ships, with strong effectiveness in low-light and complex terrain scenarios.

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

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