Name | AV-8B "Harrier II"(McDonnell Douglas Aircraft (Airframe Prime) ) |
Type | Attack and destroy
surface targets under day and night
visual conditions, CAS (Close Air Support), and intermediate range intercept |
Year | AV-8B 12 January 1985,
AV-8BII(Plus) June 1993 |
Engine | TAV-8B/AV-8B Day Attack
(DA): One Rolls Royce Pegasus F402-RR-406 turbofan: 20,280 pounds of
thrust
AV-8B Night Attack (NA)/AV-8B Radar: One Rolls Royce Pegasus F402-RR-408A turbofan: 20,200 pounds of thrust |
Length | 46.3 feet (14.11 meters) |
Height | 3.55 m |
G limits | +8/-3 |
Weight | 14,061 kg |
Speed | Subsonic to transonic |
Max. Range | 900 nautical miles |
Wing span | 30.3 feet (9.24 meters) |
Crew | 1 (AV-8B); 2 (TAV-8) training model |
Armament | One fuselage-mounted 25
mm gun system
Standard Air-to-Ground (A/G) load: Six Mk 82, 500 pound bombs Standard Air-to-Air (A/A) load: Four AIM-9L/M Sidewinder missiles Provisions for carrying up to 9,000 pounds of ordnance on seven stations |
Introduction date:
Unit Replacement Cost: $23,700,000
Mission:
The mission of the VMA STOVL squadron is to attack and
destroy surface and air targets, to escort helicopters, and to conduct
other
such air operations as may be directed. Specific tasks of the AV-8B
HARRIER II include:
- Conduct close air support using conventional and specific weapons.
- Conduct deep air support, to include armed reconnaissance and air
interdiction, using conventional and specific weapons.
- Conduct offensive and defensive antiair warfare. This includes combat
air
patrol, armed escort missions, and offensive missions against enemy
ground-to-air defenses, all within the capabilities of the aircraft.
- Be able to operate and deliver ordnance at night and to operate under
instrument flight conditions.
- Be able to deploy for extended operations employing aerial refueling.
- Be able to deploy to and operate from carriers and other suitable
seagoing platforms, advanced bases, expeditionary airfields, and remote
tactical landing sites.
Features:
The AV-8B V/STOL strike aircraft was designed to replace
the AV-8A and the A-4M light attack aircraft. The Marine Corps
requirement for a V/STOL light attack force has been well documented
since the late 1950's. Combining tactical mobility, responsiveness, reduced
operating cost and basing flexibility, both afloat and ashore, V/STOL
aircraft are particularly well-suited to the special combat and expeditionary
requirements of the Marine Corps. The AV-8BII+ features the APG-65
Radar common to the F/A-18, as well as all previous systems and features
common to the AV-8BII.
Inventory:
7 squadrons with 20 aircraft each and 1 training squadron with
20 AV-8B and 15 TAV-8B aircraft for a total 175 aircraft.
Background:
Operation Desert Storm in 1991 was highlighted by
expeditionary air operations performed by the AV-8B. The Harrier II was
the first Marine Corps tactical strike platform to arrive in theater, and
subsequently operated from various basing postures. Three squadrons,
totaling 60 aircraft, and one six-aircraft detachment operated ashore from
an expeditionary airfield, while one squadron of 20 aircraft operated from
a sea platform. During the ground war, AV-8Bs were based as close as
35 nautical miles (40.22 miles) from the Kuwait border, making them the
most forward deployed tactical strike aircraft in theater. The AV-8B flew
3,380 sorties for a total of 4,083 flight hours while maintaining a mission
capable rate in excess of 90%. Average turnaround time during the ground
war surge rate flight operations was 23 minutes.
Source-McDonnell Douglas, U.S.M.C.