OVERVIEW: The AV-8B Harrier II+ belongs to the second generation of the Harrier family, a single-engine, subsonic, V/STOL, multirole aircraft equipped with radar and electro-optical systems for strike, reconnaissance, and limited air-to-air missions. The Spanish Navy’s 2002 configuration, designated VA.1B Matador II, combined the Night Attack capabilities with radar integration for maritime and land-based operations.

DETAILS: The aircraft is powered by a Rolls-Royce F402-RR-408 Pegasus turbofan engine, supporting vertical/short takeoff with a top speed near Mach 0.9. It includes 7 external hardpoints, a night-vision-compatible cockpit, digital moving map, RWR, AN/AAR-51 nose-mounted FLIR, and the AN/APG-65 radar for multimode air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting. The 2002 configuration retained compatibility with NATO-standard munitions, precision-guided weapons, and was fully integrated for naval operations from the carrier Príncipe de Asturias. Communication and data systems were interoperable with NATO forces for joint maritime missions.

The “EAV” prefix refers to "España, Attack, Vertical", while “VA.1B” is the official Spanish designation. This version combined the Night Attack configuration with radar, offering expanded engagement profiles. The inclusion of the AN/APG-65 multimode radar provided air-intercept and sea-search modes, enhancing the Harrier’s role beyond CAS into fleet defense and limited interception roles. Spanish EAV-8Bs maintained interoperability with U.S. systems and underwent gradual avionics software updates through the early 2000s.

TYPE: V/STOL multirole strike aircraft

FUNCTION: This configuration was primarily deployed for maritime strike and close air support missions. It was favored for its ability to operate from short decks and austere runways, delivering rapid-response firepower in littoral operations and carrier group support.

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

SOURCE:
Spanish Navy Official Website: https://armada.defensa.gob.es ; 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