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AV-8B Harrier II McDonnell Douglas/
British Aerospace
AV-8B Harrier II
Attack Fighter

DESCRIPTION:
It was originally believed that the development of an improved Harrier would be a joint 50/50 venture between Britain and the US. However, the British government decided in 1975 that there was insufficient common ground between the requirements of the US Marine Corps and the Royal Air Force for the project to proceed. Instead, McDonnell Douglas chose to develop the new Harrier on its own with British Aerospace as the principal subcontractor.
The Marines were primarily interested in a close-support aircraft capable of operating from rough fields and amphibious assault ships. Later, Britain did decide to purchase a version of the Harrier II, the GR.5, with an emphasis on air combat and reconnaissance roles. The Harrier II is a much refined aircraft as compared to the original. Weight was reduced, engine lift increased, and the wing enlarged to produce greater lift while increasing fuel capacity and payload.
The Harrier II fleets of both countries have seen action over Afghanistan where the aircraft provides rapid response to close air support requests. Following retirement of its Sea Harriers in 2006, the Royal Navy merged its air wings with the Royal Air Force to share the GR.7 and GR.9 under the designation Joint Force Harrier for both land and sea operations. The Harrier II has also been purchased by Italy and Spain for use aboard small aircraft carriers. Although variants of the AV-8B remain in service with the US Marine Corps, Spain, and Italy, the United Kingdom retired its aircraft in 2010 following a cost-cutting defense review. The remaining operators are expected to replace their Harrier II fleets with the STOVL version of the F-35 while the Royal Navy will likely purchase the conventional F-35C for its next-generation aircraft carriers.
Data below for AV-8B and GR.7 where indicated
Last modified 17 March 2012

HISTORY:

First Flight (YAV-8B) 9 November 1978
(GR.5) 30 April 1985
(GR.7) 29 November 1989

Service Entry (AV-8B) 12 January 1985
(GR.5) July 1987
(AV-8B II+) June 1993

Retirement (GR.7) 31 March 2010
(GR.9) 15 December 2010

CREW:

one: pilot

ESTIMATED COST:

$23.7 million [2003$]

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:

Wing Root unknown supercritical (11.5%)

Wing Tip unknown supercritical (7.5%)

DIMENSIONS:

Length (AV-8B) 46.33 ft (14.12 m)
(GR.7) 47.07 ft (14.36 m)

Wingspan 30.33 ft (9.25 m)

Height 11.65 ft (3.55 m)

Wing Area 230 ft² (21.37 m²)

Canard Area

not applicable

WEIGHTS:

Empty (AV-8B) 13,970 lb (6,335 kg)
(GR.7) 15,705 lb (7,125 kg)
(AV-8B Plus) 14,865 lb (6,745 kg)

Normal Takeoff 22,950 lb (10,410 kg)

Max Takeoff 31,000 lb (14,060 kg) [short takeoff]
(AV-8B) 20,595 lb (9,340 kg) [vertical takeoff]
(GR.7) 19,180 lb (8,700 kg) [vertical takeoff]
(AV-8B Plus) 20,755 lb (9,415 kg) [vertical takeoff]

Fuel Capacity internal: 7,800 lb (3,540 kg)
external: 8,070 lb (3,661 kg) in four 300 gal (1,135 L) tanks

Max Payload

(AV-8B) 13,235 lb (6,000 kg) [short takeoff]
4,000 lb (1,815 kg) [vertical takeoff]
(GR.7) 10,800 lb (4,900 kg)

PROPULSION:

Powerplant one Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk 105 vectored-thrust turbofan

Thrust 21,750 lb (96.75 kN)

PERFORMANCE:

Max Level Speed at altitude: Mach 0.98
at sea level: 675 mph (1,085 km/h), Mach 0.89

Initial Climb Rate unknown

Service Ceiling unknown

Range typical: 1,200 nm (1,110 km)
ferry: (AV-8B) 1,800 nm (3,335 km)
(GR.7) 1,600 nm (2,965 km)

Endurance 3 hr

g-Limits +8 / -3

ARMAMENT:

Gun (AV-8B) two 25-mm General Electric GAU-12/U cannons (300 rds total)
(GR.7) two 25-mm Aden gun pods (100 rds ea)

Stations (AV-8B) seven external hardpoints
(GR.7) nine external hardpoints

Air-to-Air Missile up to six AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Matra 550 Magic

Air-to-Surface Missile AGM-12 Bullpup, AGM-62 Walleye, up to four AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-84 Harpoon, Sea Eagle, Wasp, Brimstone

Bomb GBU-12/16/27 Paveway laser-guided, GBU-32/38 JDAM, Paveway IV, up to 15 Mk 82 GP, up to five Mk 83 GP, Mk 20 Rockeye, CBU-99 cluster, up to seven BL.755

Other up to six Matra 155 rocket pods, ECM pods, 30-mm gun pods, recon camera pods

KNOWN VARIANTS:

AV-8A Original US Harrier based on the British GR.1 (see Harrier & Sea Harrier)

YAV-8B Prototype with a composite wing, redesigned engine intakes and exhaust nozzles, and improved lift devices rebuilt from AV-8A Harrier airframes to test features of a proposed AV-8B, successful demonstration resulted in a development contract in 1979; 2 converted

AV-8B Harrier II Production day attack fighter for the US Marine Corps; 4 development versions and 162 production airframes built from 1982-1989

TAV-8B Harrier II Two-seat trainer for the USMC; 23 built from 1986-1992

GR.5 UK version of the Harrier II with different avionics, countermeasures, and weapon options than the US model; 41 built for the Royal Air Force

GR.5A Slightly modified GR.5 model incorporating design changes in anticipation of the GR.7 standard; 21 built for the Royal Air Force

EAV-8B Matador II Carrier-based attack model similar to the AV-8B built for the Spanish Navy; 12 built from 1987-1988

AV-8B Harrier II
Night Attack Upgraded US Marine Corps model adding a Navigation Forward Looking Infrared (NAVFLIR) camera, upgraded cockpit, compatibility with night vision goggles, and an updated engine; many converted from original AV-8B airframes and 72 new airframes built from 1989-1993

AV-8D Early designation for the AV-8B Harrier II Night Attack variant

GR.7 UK variant optimized for night attack and equipped with new cockpit displays and a HUD, TV/laser target trackers, and a FLIR, saw combat in Kosovo and Iraq and began deployments aboard aircraft carriers in 1997; 34 built and all GR.5 airframes upgraded to this standard

T.6 Proposed two-seat trainer for the RAF based on the Harrier T.4 but incorporating GR.7 avionics; cancelled in 1990 in favor of a true Harrier II trainer called the T.10

T.10

RAF trainer based on the American TAV-8B except incorporating night attack and full combat capability; 13 built

GR.7A Upgrade to GR.7 airframes adding a more powerful engine

AV-8B Harrier II+ Similar to the AV-8B Harrier II Night Attack model except also incorporating an APG-65 radar; 72 converted and 43 built from 1993-1997 for use by the USMC and Italy

TAV-8B Harrier II+ Two-seat trainer purchased by the Italian Navy; 2 built from 1990-1991

EAV-8B Matador II+ Spanish version of the Harrier II+; 11 converted from EAV-8B airframes and 8 new airframes built from 1995-1997

GR.9 GR.7 airframes upgraded with new inertial navigation and GPS systems plus the ability to carry smart weapons such as Maverick, Brimstone, and Enhanced Paveway laser-guided/GPS-guided bombs for improved ground attack in all-weather conditions

GR.9A GR.7A airframes upgraded with the avionics and weapon options of the GR.9

T.12

T.10 trainers updated with the avionics and weapon upgrades of the GR.7 and GR.9 models

KNOWN COMBAT RECORD: Iraq - Operation Desert Storm (USMC, 1991)
Bosnia - Operation Deliberate Force (USMC, 1995)
Kosovo - Operation Allied Force (USMC, RAF, 1999)
Afghanistan - Operation Enduring Freedom (USMC, RAF, RN, 2001-present)
Iraq - Operation Iraqi Freedom (USMC, RAF, 2003-present)
Libya - Operation Odyssey Dawn (USMC, 2011)

KNOWN OPERATORS: Italy, Marina Militare (Italian Navy Aviation)
Spain, Arma Aérea de la Armada Española (Spanish Naval Aviation)
United Kingdom (Royal Air Force)
United Kingdom (Royal Navy)
United States (US Marine Corps)

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

AV-8B Harrier II

SOURCES:

Bishop, Chris, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Weapons: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Weapon Systems from 1945 to the Present Day. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1999, p. 349.

Bonds, Ray, ed. The Modern US War Machine: An Encyclopedia of American Military Equipment and Strategy. NY: Military Press, 1987, p. 204-205.

Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 617-618, McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace Harrier II.

Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 103-106, 282-284, British Aerospace Harrier GR.MK 5/5A, Harrier GR.Mk 7, Harrier T.Mk 10, McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, TAV-8B Harrier II.

Gunston, Bill, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1995, p. 181-182, McDonnell Douglas/BAe AV-8B Harrier II, Harrier GR.Mk 5/7 and T.Mk 10.

Gunston, Bill and Spick, Mike. Modern Air Combat: The Aircraft, Tactics and Weapons Employed in Aerial Combat Today. NY: Crescent Books, 1983, p. 120-121.

Laur, Timothy M. and Llanso, Steven L. Encyclopedia of Modern U.S. Military Weapons. NY: Berkley Books, 1995, p. 3-6, Harrier (AV-8B).

Miller, David, ed. The Illustrated Directory of Modern American Weapons. London: Salamander Books, 2002, p. 60-63, Boeing/BAe AV-8B Harrier II and Harrier II Plus.

Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 54-55, British Aerospace Harrier GR.7.

Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 22, 30, BAe GR.Mk 7 Harrier, Boeing AV-8B Harrier II.

Spohrer, Jennifer. Jane's Combat Simulations: USNF '97 Users Manual. San Mateo, CA: Electronic Arts, 1996, p. 8.10-8.13.

Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 160-162, McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace Harrier II, Harrier II Plus.

Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 133-135, Boeing/British Aerospace Harrier II, Harrier II Plus.

Wilson, Jim. Combat: The Great American Warplane. NY: Hearst Books, 2001, p. 90-93, AV-8B Harrier II.

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	McDonnell Douglas/ British Aerospace AV-8B Harrier II Attack Fighter

DESCRIPTION: It was originally believed that the development of an improved Harrier would be a joint 50/50 venture between Britain and the US. However, the British government decided in 1975 that there was insufficient common ground between the requirements of the US Marine Corps and the Royal Air Force for the project to proceed. Instead, McDonnell Douglas chose to develop the new Harrier on its own with British Aerospace as the principal subcontractor. The Marines were primarily interested in a close-support aircraft capable of operating from rough fields and amphibious assault ships. Later, Britain did decide to purchase a version of the Harrier II, the GR.5, with an emphasis on air combat and reconnaissance roles. The Harrier II is a much refined aircraft as compared to the original. Weight was reduced, engine lift increased, and the wing enlarged to produce greater lift while increasing fuel capacity and payload. The Harrier II fleets of both countries have seen action over Afghanistan where the aircraft provides rapid response to close air support requests. Following retirement of its Sea Harriers in 2006, the Royal Navy merged its air wings with the Royal Air Force to share the GR.7 and GR.9 under the designation Joint Force Harrier for both land and sea operations. The Harrier II has also been purchased by Italy and Spain for use aboard small aircraft carriers. Although variants of the AV-8B remain in service with the US Marine Corps, Spain, and Italy, the United Kingdom retired its aircraft in 2010 following a cost-cutting defense review. The remaining operators are expected to replace their Harrier II fleets with the STOVL version of the F-35 while the Royal Navy will likely purchase the conventional F-35C for its next-generation aircraft carriers. Data below for AV-8B and GR.7 where indicated Last modified 17 March 2012
HISTORY:
First Flight	(YAV-8B) 9 November 1978 (GR.5) 30 April 1985 (GR.7) 29 November 1989
Service Entry	(AV-8B) 12 January 1985 (GR.5) July 1987 (AV-8B II+) June 1993
Retirement	(GR.7) 31 March 2010 (GR.9) 15 December 2010
CREW:	one: pilot
ESTIMATED COST:	$23.7 million [2003$]
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	unknown supercritical (11.5%)
Wing Tip	unknown supercritical (7.5%)
DIMENSIONS:
Length	(AV-8B) 46.33 ft (14.12 m) (GR.7) 47.07 ft (14.36 m)
Wingspan	30.33 ft (9.25 m)
Height	11.65 ft (3.55 m)
Wing Area	230 ft² (21.37 m²)
Canard Area	not applicable
WEIGHTS:
Empty	(AV-8B) 13,970 lb (6,335 kg) (GR.7) 15,705 lb (7,125 kg) (AV-8B Plus) 14,865 lb (6,745 kg)
Normal Takeoff	22,950 lb (10,410 kg)
Max Takeoff	31,000 lb (14,060 kg) [short takeoff] (AV-8B) 20,595 lb (9,340 kg) [vertical takeoff] (GR.7) 19,180 lb (8,700 kg) [vertical takeoff] (AV-8B Plus) 20,755 lb (9,415 kg) [vertical takeoff]
Fuel Capacity	internal: 7,800 lb (3,540 kg) external: 8,070 lb (3,661 kg) in four 300 gal (1,135 L) tanks
Max Payload	(AV-8B) 13,235 lb (6,000 kg) [short takeoff] 4,000 lb (1,815 kg) [vertical takeoff] (GR.7) 10,800 lb (4,900 kg)
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	one Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk 105 vectored-thrust turbofan
Thrust	21,750 lb (96.75 kN)
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: Mach 0.98 at sea level: 675 mph (1,085 km/h), Mach 0.89
Initial Climb Rate	unknown
Service Ceiling	unknown
Range	typical: 1,200 nm (1,110 km) ferry: (AV-8B) 1,800 nm (3,335 km) (GR.7) 1,600 nm (2,965 km)
Endurance	3 hr
g-Limits	+8 / -3
ARMAMENT:
Gun	(AV-8B) two 25-mm General Electric GAU-12/U cannons (300 rds total) (GR.7) two 25-mm Aden gun pods (100 rds ea)
Stations	(AV-8B) seven external hardpoints (GR.7) nine external hardpoints
Air-to-Air Missile	up to six AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Matra 550 Magic
Air-to-Surface Missile	AGM-12 Bullpup, AGM-62 Walleye, up to four AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-84 Harpoon, Sea Eagle, Wasp, Brimstone
Bomb	GBU-12/16/27 Paveway laser-guided, GBU-32/38 JDAM, Paveway IV, up to 15 Mk 82 GP, up to five Mk 83 GP, Mk 20 Rockeye, CBU-99 cluster, up to seven BL.755
Other	up to six Matra 155 rocket pods, ECM pods, 30-mm gun pods, recon camera pods
KNOWN VARIANTS:
AV-8A	Original US Harrier based on the British GR.1 (see Harrier & Sea Harrier)
YAV-8B	Prototype with a composite wing, redesigned engine intakes and exhaust nozzles, and improved lift devices rebuilt from AV-8A Harrier airframes to test features of a proposed AV-8B, successful demonstration resulted in a development contract in 1979; 2 converted
AV-8B Harrier II	Production day attack fighter for the US Marine Corps; 4 development versions and 162 production airframes built from 1982-1989
TAV-8B Harrier II	Two-seat trainer for the USMC; 23 built from 1986-1992
GR.5	UK version of the Harrier II with different avionics, countermeasures, and weapon options than the US model; 41 built for the Royal Air Force
GR.5A	Slightly modified GR.5 model incorporating design changes in anticipation of the GR.7 standard; 21 built for the Royal Air Force
EAV-8B Matador II	Carrier-based attack model similar to the AV-8B built for the Spanish Navy; 12 built from 1987-1988
AV-8B Harrier II Night Attack	Upgraded US Marine Corps model adding a Navigation Forward Looking Infrared (NAVFLIR) camera, upgraded cockpit, compatibility with night vision goggles, and an updated engine; many converted from original AV-8B airframes and 72 new airframes built from 1989-1993
AV-8D	Early designation for the AV-8B Harrier II Night Attack variant
GR.7	UK variant optimized for night attack and equipped with new cockpit displays and a HUD, TV/laser target trackers, and a FLIR, saw combat in Kosovo and Iraq and began deployments aboard aircraft carriers in 1997; 34 built and all GR.5 airframes upgraded to this standard
T.6	Proposed two-seat trainer for the RAF based on the Harrier T.4 but incorporating GR.7 avionics; cancelled in 1990 in favor of a true Harrier II trainer called the T.10
T.10	RAF trainer based on the American TAV-8B except incorporating night attack and full combat capability; 13 built
GR.7A	Upgrade to GR.7 airframes adding a more powerful engine
AV-8B Harrier II+	Similar to the AV-8B Harrier II Night Attack model except also incorporating an APG-65 radar; 72 converted and 43 built from 1993-1997 for use by the USMC and Italy
TAV-8B Harrier II+	Two-seat trainer purchased by the Italian Navy; 2 built from 1990-1991
EAV-8B Matador II+	Spanish version of the Harrier II+; 11 converted from EAV-8B airframes and 8 new airframes built from 1995-1997
GR.9	GR.7 airframes upgraded with new inertial navigation and GPS systems plus the ability to carry smart weapons such as Maverick, Brimstone, and Enhanced Paveway laser-guided/GPS-guided bombs for improved ground attack in all-weather conditions
GR.9A	GR.7A airframes upgraded with the avionics and weapon options of the GR.9
T.12	T.10 trainers updated with the avionics and weapon upgrades of the GR.7 and GR.9 models
KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:	Iraq - Operation Desert Storm (USMC, 1991) Bosnia - Operation Deliberate Force (USMC, 1995) Kosovo - Operation Allied Force (USMC, RAF, 1999) Afghanistan - Operation Enduring Freedom (USMC, RAF, RN, 2001-present) Iraq - Operation Iraqi Freedom (USMC, RAF, 2003-present) Libya - Operation Odyssey Dawn (USMC, 2011)
KNOWN OPERATORS:	Italy, Marina Militare (Italian Navy Aviation) Spain, Arma Aérea de la Armada Española (Spanish Naval Aviation) United Kingdom (Royal Air Force) United Kingdom (Royal Navy) United States (US Marine Corps)
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
SOURCES: Bishop, Chris, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Weapons: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Weapon Systems from 1945 to the Present Day. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1999, p. 349. Bonds, Ray, ed. The Modern US War Machine: An Encyclopedia of American Military Equipment and Strategy. NY: Military Press, 1987, p. 204-205. Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 617-618, McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace Harrier II. Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 103-106, 282-284, British Aerospace Harrier GR.MK 5/5A, Harrier GR.Mk 7, Harrier T.Mk 10, McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, TAV-8B Harrier II. Gunston, Bill, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1995, p. 181-182, McDonnell Douglas/BAe AV-8B Harrier II, Harrier GR.Mk 5/7 and T.Mk 10. Gunston, Bill and Spick, Mike. Modern Air Combat: The Aircraft, Tactics and Weapons Employed in Aerial Combat Today. NY: Crescent Books, 1983, p. 120-121. Laur, Timothy M. and Llanso, Steven L. Encyclopedia of Modern U.S. Military Weapons. NY: Berkley Books, 1995, p. 3-6, Harrier (AV-8B). Miller, David, ed. The Illustrated Directory of Modern American Weapons. London: Salamander Books, 2002, p. 60-63, Boeing/BAe AV-8B Harrier II and Harrier II Plus. Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 54-55, British Aerospace Harrier GR.7. Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 22, 30, BAe GR.Mk 7 Harrier, Boeing AV-8B Harrier II. Spohrer, Jennifer. Jane's Combat Simulations: USNF '97 Users Manual. San Mateo, CA: Electronic Arts, 1996, p. 8.10-8.13. Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 160-162, McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace Harrier II, Harrier II Plus. Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 133-135, Boeing/British Aerospace Harrier II, Harrier II Plus. Wilson, Jim. Combat: The Great American Warplane. NY: Hearst Books, 2001, p. 90-93, AV-8B Harrier II.