OVERVIEW: The AV-8B Harrier II+ belongs to the second generation of the Harrier family, a single-engine, subsonic, V/STOL multirole aircraft operated by the U.S. Marine Corps for close air support, strike, and sea control missions. The 2012 configuration retained full night-attack and radar capabilities, enhanced with improved datalinks and updated software for networked operations.

DETAILS: It is powered by the Rolls-Royce F402-RR-408 Pegasus turbofan engine, with a top speed near Mach 0.9, and carries payloads across 7 external stations. The 2012 aircraft maintained the AN/APG-65 radar, AN/AAR-51 FLIR, digital moving map, NVG-compatible cockpit, RWR, and AN/ALQ-164 DECM pod. It remained compatible with AIM-9L Sidewinder and AGM-65 Maverick missiles. System updates included tactical software revisions and integration with modern digital targeting pods and improved precision-guided munitions interfaces.

The “+” model retained the combined radar and night systems of the Night Attack base design, optimized for all-weather strike and maritime interdiction. By 2012, many units received incremental upgrades to avionics software, datalink capability (such as VMF and SADL), and improved mission planning tools to maintain relevance in joint operations.

TYPE: V/STOL multirole strike aircraft

FUNCTION: This aircraft configuration was primarily employed for expeditionary close air support and strike missions from amphibious assault ships and forward arming and refueling points (FARPs). Its V/STOL ability allowed rapid deployment and support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) operations in contested or remote areas.

NOTE:
IOC: 1993 (AV-8B Harrier II+ US)
Operators: United States
Conflict used in: Afghanistan (2001–2014), Libya (2011)

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