McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II
The AV-8B Harrier II, is a second generation, vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) light-attack jet aircraft utilized by the United States Marine Corps. The primary mission of the AV-8B is to provide responsive close air support for the ground forces. This single-piloted, advanced V/STOL aircraft can operate from short fields, forward sites, roads and surface ships providing minimum response time to targets.
Three AV-8B squadrons stationed approximately 40 miles from the Kuwaiti border, were the most forward deployed tactical strike aircraft during Operation Desert Storm and operated from relatively unprepared sites. One AV-8B squadron and one six-aircraft detachment operated off the landing helicopter ship USS Nassau in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. The average turnaround time during the ground war surge was 23 minutes.
The current AV-8B Remanufacture Program converts older AV-8B day attack aircraft to the most recent production radar/night attack configuration. This radar-equipped version of the AV-8B became operational in the summer of 1994.
General Characteristics
- Primary Function: Support ground forces in amphibious or land operations
- Contractor: Boeing Aircraft Corp.
- Cost: Remanufactured aircraft at a cost of US$21.6 million each.
- Propulsion: One Rolls Royce F402-RR-408
- Length: 46 feet 4 inches (14.1 meters)
- Wingspan: 30 feet 4 inches (9.2 meters)
- Height: 11 feet 9 inches (3.5 meters)
- Weight: 12,500 pounds (5.625 kg) empty; 29,750 pounds (13,400 kg) max gross take-off
- Speed: 547 knots (629 miles, 1008 km, per hour)
- Ceiling: 50,000 feet
- Armament: Wing points for AIM-9 Sidewinder and an assortment of air-to-ground weapons and AGM-65 Maverick missiles
- Crew: One
- Date Deployed: January 1985