OVERVIEW: The AV-8B Harrier II+ belongs to the second generation of the Harrier family, a single-engine, subsonic, V/STOL multirole combat aircraft developed for the U.S. Marine Corps. The 1993 configuration integrated radar and night-attack capabilities to support all-weather close air support, interdiction, and limited air defense.

DETAILS: It is powered by the Rolls-Royce F402-RR-408 Pegasus vectored-thrust turbofan, reaching a top speed of approximately Mach 0.9, with 7 external hardpoints for armament and external stores. The aircraft includes the AN/APG-65 radar, AN/AAR-51 FLIR, digital moving map, RWR, and an NVG-compatible glass cockpit, allowing day/night and all-weather operations. Airframe reinforcement and avionics allowed operations from forward bases and amphibious ships. Confirmed missile armament includes AIM-9L Sidewinder and AGM-65 Maverick.

The “+” designation indicated the addition of the AN/APG-65 multimode radar, giving the aircraft a beyond-visual-range air-to-air and sea-targeting capability, while retaining the full Night Attack suite. The radar upgrade enhanced situational awareness and targeting range. This configuration also integrated with the AN/ALQ-164 DECM pod and continued to support joint and amphibious operations. No structural changes were introduced compared to the earlier Night Attack version.

TYPE: V/STOL multirole strike aircraft

FUNCTION: The 1993 configuration was specifically employed for all-weather close air support, forward air control, and sea strike from both expeditionary airfields and amphibious assault ships. It was essential to Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations requiring V/STOL flexibility and radar-enabled lethality in both land and maritime environments.

NOTE:
IOC: 1993 (AV-8B Harrier II+ US)
Operators: United States
Conflict used in: Iraq (1990s–2003), Afghanistan (2001–2009), Iraq (2003–2009)

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