OVERVIEW: The AV-8B Harrier II+ belongs to the second generation of the Harrier family, a single-engine, subsonic, V/STOL multirole aircraft optimized for day/night operations from small aircraft carriers. The 2008 Italian Navy configuration maintained radar and night-attack capabilities, enabling autonomous strike, maritime support, and limited air defense roles.

DETAILS: Powered by the Rolls-Royce F402-RR-408 Pegasus vectored-thrust turbofan, it reached speeds up to Mach 0.9 and operated from short-deck carriers with 7 external hardpoints for stores. Its systems included the AN/APG-65 radar, AN/AAR-51 FLIR, RWR, digital moving map, and NVG-compatible cockpit, allowing fully self-contained all-weather strike and patrol missions. The aircraft was carrier-adapted with reinforced airframe sections and NATO-compatible comms for joint operations. Confirmed armament includes AIM-9L Sidewinder and AGM-65 Maverick.

The “+” configuration incorporated a radar suite (AN/APG-65) for improved maritime and air intercept capability while retaining the Night Attack suite (including FLIR and digital nav systems). No confirmed structural or sensor upgrades were introduced in 2008 beyond prior enhancements. The Italian Navy continued to operate this model from the carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi with full NATO interoperability for combined task forces.

TYPE: V/STOL multirole strike aircraft

FUNCTION: This configuration remained critical for carrier-based CAS, maritime interdiction, and limited air defense due to its ability to operate from small carriers without catapults. It served as Italy’s primary embarked combat aircraft during rapid-response and expeditionary missions.

NOTE:
IOC: 1997 (AV-8B Harrier II+ Italy)
Operators: Italy
Conflict used in: Libya (2011)

SOURCE:
Italian Navy Official Site: https://www.marina.difesa.it ; U.S. Naval Air Systems Command: https://www.navair.navy.mil ; Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) ; Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_AV-8B_Harrier_II