AV-8B Walk-Around
To the casual observer, it could be argued that the AV-8B changed little from her first generation Harrier/Sea Harrier days. However, closer study would quickly reveal the larger raised cockpit - a key identifiable feature of the newer Harrier - as well as a the larger-area wing and its additional hardpoints. The wings retain their noticeable anhedral and, despite being all-new, the nose cone assembly kept much the same shape as that of the Sea Harrier before it. The intakes are noticeably larger on the AV-8B and straddle either side of the cockpit. The fuselage tapers off at the rear to which a single vertical tail fin is affixed. The tail sports a pair of horizontal stabilizers, also with anhedral. The undercarriage remains nearly the same as in the early Harrier forms and is made up of a single-wheeled nose leg and double-wheeled main landing gear leg. The two outrigger legs that were originally positioned at the wingtips are now brought inwards to help provide for a better ground track. The AV-8B is fitted with a UPC/Stencel type 10B series ejection seat. The in-flight refueling probe is tucked away along the upper portion of the portside intake opening.
Avionics of American Harrier II consisted of a Collins RT-1250A/ARC U/UHF radio system, a Bendix RT-1157/APX-100 IFF system and a Litton AN/ASN-130A INS (Inertial Navigation System). Once the APG-65 radars became available to USMC McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets, several Harrier IIs also fitted the device, becoming known as "Harrier II Plus". The first Harrier II Plus entered service with the VMA-542 in 1993 and, by 2003, all other AV-8Bs in USMC service were also duly upgraded. It is expected that the Harrier II Plus models could very well last up until 2025.
Armament
The American AV-8B fields a standard armament suite consisting of a single 20mm General Electric GE GAU-12A "Equalizer" five-barrel Gatling-type gun inside of a portside underfuselage pod fairing. Approximately 300 rounds of ammunition are carried in a similar starboard side fairing. The British GR version originally fielded 2 x 30mm ADEN cannons in like- pod fairings under the fuselage.
The American Harrier II makes use of 7 hardpoints (6 underwing; 1 centerline) which can max out to 13,200lbs of ordnance. Options include the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile, the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile, up to 4 x AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range or AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles, conventional drop bombs, laser-guided bombs, cluster bombs, napalm and Joint Direct Attack Munitions - the latter making lethal use of GPS guidance. Targeting and reconnaissance pods, as well as up to 4 x auxiliary fuel tanks, can replace armament.
External ordnance options for the Harrier GR are primarily made up of LAU-5003, BL775 and Matra rocket pods. Additional options include use of the American-made AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile, the MBDA Brimstone anti-tank missile, CBU-87 cluster bombs and conventional or the Paveway family of laser-guided bombs (LGB) across 9 hardpoints. AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles are fielded in self-defense as GRs lack internal cannons. External hardpoints can also make way for auxiliary drop tanks for improved ranges and loitering times or reconnaissance pods as needed. Later GR models can self-designate their targets.
Variants
The YAV-8B designation was afforded to the two aforementioned developmental prototypes that made use of existing USMC AV-8A airframes (there was also a USMC C-model in the original Harrier crop). Consequently, production models followed with the "AV-8B" designation despite the Harrier II being essentially a "like-new" aircraft in many ways.
The AV-8B was the initial USMC production Harrier II model and was categorized as a daytime strike fighter. These served for a time before being replaced or retired altogether by the newer AV-8B variants. The Italian Navy was a recipient of similar AV-8Bs and it is believed that 15 of these are still in service as of early 2009 with the Gruppo Aerei Imbarcati. Italy took an initial batch of nine aircraft (including one trainer) through deliveries beginning in 1994.
The AV-8B(NA) "Night Attack" Harrier II variant (originally known as the AV-8D) began development in 1984 and implemented NAVFLIR (Navigation Forward-Looking Infrared camera consisting of a GEC-Marconi FLIR system mounted in the nose) for night operations. Additionally, GEC Cat's Eyes night vision goggles were provided to the pilot as well as a revised cockpit with new color MFDs, a wider field-of-view HUDs display, a color CRT digital moving map and complete "heads-down" operation capability. The FLIR is mounted on the top of the nose assembly which helps the casual observer in identification of the Harrier type in photography. The Night Attack Harrier II also sports four Tracor ALE-39 countermeasures dispensers along the top of the rear fuselage in addition to the two ALE-39 dispensers along the lower rear of the fuselage. The AV-8B(NA) also fields an uprated version of the Rolls-Royce Pegasus 11-61 (F402-RR-408) vectored-thrust turbofan engine. First flight of a modified AV-8B in night attack from was on June 26th, 1987. Deliveries to the USMC began in September of 1989 to VMA-214 at Yuma. Follow-up units based out of Yuma received their Night Attack forms by the end of 1992.
The AV-8B Harrier II+ (or "Harrier II Plus", also originally known as the AV-8E) incorporated the additions made in the Night Attack model but added the Hughes APG-65 pulse-Doppler radar system as found on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (with the exception of the Sea Harrier, no previous Harrier model was fielded with a radar system) the "100%" LERX (Leading Edge Root Extension) and Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capability. Since the F/A-18 Hornet was due to be upgraded with the APG-73 series radars, the APG-65 would be in good supply. Considering cost measures for the time, the APG-65 was the economical choice despite the fact that the British Blue Vixen system was probably the right choice.
The United States, Britain, Spain and Italy all played a role in the new type's development. The Harrier II+ is now the primary USMC model and (as of this writing) is fielded with VMA-211, VMA-214, VMA-223, VMA-231, VMA-311, VMA-513, VMA-542, VMAT-203, VX-31 and VX-9. Additionally, the Harrier II+ was delivered to the Spanish and Italian Navies complete with AIM-120 AMRAAM capability. Performance specs for this improved variant include a reported top speed of 662 miles per hour, a range of 1,400 miles and a rate-of-climb equal to 14,700 feet per minute. First flight of the new Harrier II occurred on September 22nd, 1992. Deliveries followed to USMC units at Cherry Point.
The TAV-8B Harrier II became the tandem twin-seat trainer models of the AV-8B line. These fitted a second separate cockpit in a stepped arrangement just aft of the primary cockpit and provided redundant flight controls for the instructor. However, only two underwing hardpoints were provided for in these special Harrier models.
EAV-8B "Matador II" was the designation reserved for Spanish export Harrier II's. These were fielded by the Spanish Navy as part of their 09th Squadron. At least 13 AV-8B Harrier II Plus aircraft are still believed to be in service as of early 2009. Spanish Matador IIs began delivery in October of 1987.
British Harrier IIs
British Harrier IIs are known by their formal designation of BAe Systems/Boeing Harrier II (McDonnell Douglas Corporation had become a subsidiary of Boeing) and cover the GR.Mk 5, GR. Mk 7 and GR.Mk 9 production series. Though initially fielded by the RAF, the Royal Navy gave up use of their Sea Harriers and made use of GRs beginning in 2006 (first the GR.Mk 7 then the follow-up GR.Mk 9).
The GR.Mk 5 was the first second-generation Harrier to become available for the RAF. The Mk 5 featured British-inspired modifications that differentiated this model from the American AV-8B to a good degree and became the standard RAF Harrier since inception with some 40 examples produced. These were followed by the GR.Mk 5A in 21 examples and incorporated new features (such as FLIR) that would become standardized in the upcoming GR.Mk 7. First flight of the new mark was on November 20th, 1989.
The GR.Mk 7 was an improved form of the GR.Mk 5 and is the equivalent of the night-fighting Harrier II. First delivery was in May of 1990 with operational status was achieved in August of 1995. GR.Mk 7's implemented the same GEC Marconi FLIR system for night operations as the USMC AV-8B "Night Harrier. Unlike the USMC, the RAF GR.Mk 7 fields the Ferranti Night-Owl night vision goggles. Like the USMC, this night-capable Harrier became the new British standard Harrier mount. Countermeasures consist of the Marconi Zeus ECM (Electronic CounterMeasure) integrated into an automatic-reaction countermeasures chaff/flare system that selects the appropriate defense based on missile tracking. The GR.Mk 7 was used concurrently between the RAF and Royal Navy with at-sea deployments beginning in 1997. The new variant reported performance statistics of 662 miles per hour in top speed, 2,015 miles of ferry range, a 50,000 foot service ceiling and a rate-of-climb equal to 14,715 feet per minute. GR.Mk 7s will eventually be upgraded to the GR.Mk 9 standard.
The GR.Mk 7A was an upgrade program of existing GR.Mk 7s to a new GR.Mk 9 standard. Theses GR.Mk 7As were fitted with a more powerful Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk 107 series vectored-thrust turbofan engine. Weapon options have also been dramatically expanded. Some 40 upgraded GR.Mk 7s made up the GR.Mk 7A variant line.
As it stands, the GR.Mk 9 is the ultimate British Harrier II Mark standard and features upgraded weapons and avionics suites first implemented in the GR.Mk 7. The new Harrier has "smart weapons" capability which can utilized GPS for accurate targeting and engagement. Additionally, the aircraft supports the latest line of AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface family of missiles, Brimstone anti-tank missiles and Paveway laser-guided bombs as well as rocket pods and conventional drop bombs as needed. The engine remains the Pegasus Mark 105 series but as more GR.Mk 9s are fitted with the newer Pegasus Mk 107 (of the GR.Mk 7As) they will take on the designation of GR.Mk 9A themselves.
The T.Mk 10 is the British designation of the base two-seat trainer that covers the systems of the GR.Mk 5 fighter. T.Mk 10s were a bit different from their American TAV-8Bs in that they included eight underwing hardpoints instead of two, retaining their full combat capabilities as well as night-attack systems. Though these replaced the outdated T.Mk 4s of the original Harrier set, the T.Mk 12 now replaces the T.Mk 10 in turn. The T.Mk 12 features the upgrades found on the GR.Mk 7 and GR.Mk 9 variants as well as student/instructor tandem seating with dual controls.
BAe Systems Harriers current serve only with the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm as part of the Nos 1, 3, IV and 20 Squadrons as well as the Naval Strike Wing of the FAA.
Harrier IIs in the Gulf
An oft-forgotten fact is that the AV-8B Harrier II became the first USMC aircraft to be deployed in the Gulf in preparation for Operation Desert Storm. In 1991, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had invaded the smaller, oil-rich country with what was then the fourth largest army in the world. Five of the total eight Marine Harrier squadrons came to the region and war proved all but inevitable.
Once the opening rounds of Desert Storm were over, this comprised of off-shore cruise missile strikes and F-117 stealth fighter attacks, the coalition of NATO nations unleashed hell on the occupiers in Kuwait. AB-8Bs were flown against Iraqi ground targets using rockets, air-to-surface missiles and bombs or various types (napalm, cluster). Sidewinder air-to-air missiles were utilized early on in a defensive role but this need all but dissipated with the death of the Iraqi air force meaning that the AV-8Bs could utilize their pylons for more offensive stores. At the cost of five AV-8Bs, the Harrier II flew in 3,380 sorties and totaled some 4,112 hours in 42 days. By war's end, an estimated six million pounds of ordnance had been delivered by the Harrier IIs against Iraqi targets making it one of the more important battlefield elements of the short-lived conflict.
The Future of the Av-8B Harrier II/Harrier II GR
Though still a serviceable machine, the Harrier II is expected to be replaced in time (possibly beginning in 2018) by the new-generation Rolls-Royce-powered Lockheed F-35 Lightning II - the end-product of the Joint Strike Fighter development program. Available in three options - an A-, B- and C- model - the F-35B (and, its integrated vertical flight system) will become the new Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) mount of the United States and United Kingdom. Other participants in the F-35 program include Turkey, Australia, Israel and the Netherlands.
Production of all new-build Harrier IIs ceased in 1997 though some were receiving new-build fuselages as recently as 2004.
As of 2010, all RAF Harrier GR.Mk 9 ground attack aircraft were mothbolled in a cost-cutting initiative.
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