OVERVIEW: The AV-8C Harrier belongs to the first generation of the Harrier family, a subsonic, single-engine, V/STOL ground-attack aircraft developed as an upgrade to the earlier AV-8A. It was designed for close air support and interdiction missions from austere forward locations or amphibious assault ships.

DETAILS: The AV-8C retained the Pegasus 11 (Mk 103) engine and basic aerodynamic structure of the AV-8A, with a top speed of approximately Mach 0.9 and 5 wing/fuselage hardpoints. Improvements included updated cockpit instrumentation, a new radar warning receiver (RWR), countermeasures systems (including ALE-39 dispensers), and wiring to support AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. The airframe was structurally refurbished, and engine reliability was improved through better maintenance provisions. There was no onboard radar or advanced navigation/attack system; the aircraft retained a basic HUD and inertial navigation.

The "C" designation reflected a rebuild and avionics upgrade of AV-8A units. The RWR fitted was the AN/ALR-45F or ALR-67 (early), and some aircraft were retrofitted with more effective flare and chaff dispensers. These enhancements improved survivability but did not change the Harrier’s day-only visual targeting limitation.

TYPE: V/STOL ground-attack aircraft

FUNCTION: This model was mostly used for short-range strike, close air support, and battlefield interdiction during exercises and peacetime forward deployments. It operated from amphibious assault ships and expeditionary airfields, with rapid turnaround capability and minimal logistical footprint.

NOTE:
IOC: 1971 (AV-8A), 1982 (AV-8C)
Operators: United States
Conflict used in: None (limited to training and peacetime deployments)

SOURCE:
U.S. Naval Aviation News 1982 ; U.S. Marine Corps Historical Division ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org ; Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft ; Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_AV-8B_Harrier_II