OVERVIEW: The AV-8B Harrier II+ belongs to the second generation of the Harrier family, a single-engine, subsonic, V/STOL multirole aircraft designed for close air support, strike, and sea control missions. As of 2015, it featured night-attack and radar capabilities, with ongoing integration of updated avionics and digital targeting systems to support precision and networked operations.

DETAILS: The aircraft uses the Rolls-Royce F402-RR-408 Pegasus vectored-thrust turbofan engine, with a maximum speed near Mach 0.9, and is equipped with 7 hardpoints for munitions, fuel tanks, and pods. It retains the AN/APG-65 radar, AN/AAR-51 FLIR, digital moving map, NVG-compatible cockpit, RWR, and compatibility with the AN/ALQ-164 DECM pod. It supports AIM-9L Sidewinder and AGM-65 Maverick missiles. By 2015, many airframes were equipped with the LITENING G4 targeting pod and improved mission computers supporting smart munitions and tactical datalinks.

The “+” designation indicates radar capability added to the Night Attack configuration, extending its air-to-air and maritime strike roles, it featured employment of AIM-120C-5 for BVR air-to-air roles. The 2015 configuration reflected Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) modifications, cockpit display improvements, and improved weapon system integration for modern combat environments.

TYPE: V/STOL multirole strike aircraft

FUNCTION: This model was primarily employed for precision strike, armed reconnaissance, and close air support from amphibious assault ships or expeditionary airfields. Its flexibility and STOVL performance remained essential to forward-deployed Marine Corps aviation in low-infrastructure or contested zones.

NOTE:
IOC: 1993 (AV-8B Harrier II+ US)
Operators: United States
Conflict used in: Afghanistan (2001–2014), Operation Inherent Resolve (2014–2015)

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