Used by VMA-211 AV-8B Harrier crews from USS Makin Island and forward-deployed sites in combat operations against ISIL in Iraq and Syria from October 2014 to March 2015.
Role detailsAircraft & UAVs
AV-8B Harrier II
Also known as
- AV-8B
- Harrier II
- AV-8B Harrier
- AV-8B II+
- AV-8B Harrier II+
- AV-8B Harrier II Plus
- Harrier II Plus
- AV-8B Night Attack
- AV-8B(NA)
- TAV-8B
- TAV-8B Harrier II
- Harrier jump jet
The AV-8B Harrier II is a second-generation Harrier built around vectored-thrust V/STOL light attack missions: expeditionary close air support, armed reconnaissance, interdiction, shipboard strike, and dispersed forward-base operations. Developed by McDonnell Douglas with British Aerospace participation, it added a larger composite wing, improved Pegasus-powered performance, and later Night Attack and Harrier II Plus radar configurations. The U.S. Marine Corps formally sundowned the type at Cherry Point on June 3, 2026, while Italian and Spanish naval Harriers remained a separate service caveat.
Role in Conflicts
- Side
- United States and Libyan Government of National Accord
Used by 22nd MEU AV-8B Harrier II crews from USS Wasp during Operation Odyssey Lightning precision air strikes against ISIL targets in Sirte, Libya.
Used by 22nd MEU AV-8B Harrier II crews from Al Dhafra Air Base in April 2019 while supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Afghan National Army support through the U.S. coalition.
Role detailsProfile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- United States
- Built by
- McDonnell Douglas; Boeing
- Type
- V/STOL light attack and close-air-support aircraft
- Service note
- 1985-2026 in U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B service; still in Italian and Spanish naval service as of June 2026
- Designer
- McDonnell Douglas and British Aerospace
- Designed
- 1970s-1981
- Unit cost
- Not readily published for the AV-8B Harrier II as a common fleet figure
- Produced
- 1981-2003
- Number built
- 340 aircraft delivered, including AV-8B attack jets, TAV-8B trainers, and YAV-8B prototypes
Specifications
- Crew
- 1 in AV-8B attack variants; 2 in TAV-8B trainer
- Primary function
- Close air support, intermediate-range intercept, and attack missions
- Basing
- Carriers and other suitable seagoing platforms, advanced bases, expeditionary airfields, and remote tactical landing sites
- Engine
- One Rolls-Royce Pegasus F402 vectored-thrust turbofan
- Day Attack thrust
- About 20,280 lb thrust with F402-RR-406
- Night Attack / radar thrust
- About 22,200 lb thrust with F402-RR-408A
- Wingspan
- 30 ft 4 in (9.25 m)
- Length
- 46 ft 4 in (14.12 m)
- Height
- 11 ft 8 in (3.55 m)
- Maximum speed
- 630 mph
- Ferry range
- 1,700 nautical miles unrefueled
Variants
The AV-8B family began as a redesigned second-generation Harrier for Marine Corps V/STOL light attack missions, then moved from Day Attack aircraft into Night Attack, radar-equipped Harrier II Plus, and two-seat TAV-8B training configurations.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| YAV-8B | Prototype | McDonnell Douglas proposed the AV-8B in May 1975, and the YAV-8B prototype first flew on November 9, 1978. Sources: Boeing Last AV-8B Harrier Jet |
| AV-8B Harrier II Day Attack | Initial single-seat attack variant | NAVAIR describes the AV-8B as replacing the AV-8A and A-4M; Day Attack aircraft used the F402-RR-406 engine and later became candidates for remanufacture. Sources: NAVAIR AV-8B Harrier, NAVAIR AV-8B Litening II |
| AV-8B Night Attack | Night-capable attack variant | The Night Attack configuration used the higher-thrust F402-RR-408A engine and night-attack avionics. Sources: NAVAIR AV-8B Harrier |
| AV-8B Harrier II Plus | Radar-equipped night/radar configuration | The U.S., Spain, and Italy developed the Plus version in the 1990s; it first flew on September 22, 1992, and NAVAIR identifies the APG-65 radar and remanufacture path from Day Attack aircraft. Sources: Boeing Last AV-8B Harrier Jet, NAVAIR AV-8B Harrier, NAVAIR AV-8B Litening II |
| TAV-8B | Two-seat trainer | NAVAIR identifies the TAV-8B as the two-seat trainer version of the AV-8B; the upgrade program added night-vision compatibility, Pegasus 408 engines, structural enhancements, and mission software for representative fleet training. Sources: NAVAIR First Upgraded TAV-8B |
Carried Missiles and Guided Bombs
The Harrier's published AV-8B fact file and U.S. Air Force JDAM fact sheet document representative air-to-air and precision air-to-ground stores.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Short-range air-to-air missile | The AV-8B PDF fact file lists Sidewinder missiles among the Harrier's carried air-to-air weapons. Sources: NHHC AV-8B PDF Fact File |
 | Air-to-surface guided missile | The AV-8B PDF fact file lists the AGM-65 Maverick among the Harrier's carried attack weapons. Sources: NHHC AV-8B PDF Fact File |
 | 500-pound laser-guided bomb | The AV-8B PDF fact file lists GBU-12 among the Harrier's air-to-ground weapons, and this catalog entry represents the Mk 82/Paveway-Lizard guided-bomb family that includes the GBU-12 configuration. Sources: NHHC AV-8B PDF Fact File |
 | 1,000-pound laser-guided bomb | The AV-8B PDF fact file lists GBU-16 among the Harrier's air-to-ground weapons. Sources: NHHC AV-8B PDF Fact File |
 | JDAM guided-bomb family | The Air Force JDAM fact sheet lists JDAM as currently compatible with the AV-8B and identifies GBU-31, GBU-32, and GBU-38 JDAM variants. Sources: Air Force JDAM Fact Sheet |
 | 2,000-pound hard-target JDAM | The Air Force JDAM fact sheet lists GBU-31 as part of the JDAM family and identifies JDAM as compatible with the AV-8B. Sources: Air Force JDAM Fact Sheet |
 | 1,000-pound JDAM bomb | The AV-8B PDF fact file lists GBU-32 among the Harrier's air-to-ground weapons. Sources: NHHC AV-8B PDF Fact File |
 | 500-pound JDAM bomb | The Air Force JDAM fact sheet lists GBU-38 as part of the JDAM family and identifies JDAM as compatible with the AV-8B. Sources: Air Force JDAM Fact Sheet |
 | 500-pound dual-mode guided bomb | The AV-8B PDF fact file lists GBU-54 among the Harrier's air-to-ground weapons. Sources: NHHC AV-8B PDF Fact File |
Rocket Stores
The Harrier's air-to-ground stores list includes unguided 2.75-inch and 5-inch rockets, while NAVAIR documents later fixed-wing APKWS fielding on AV-8B Harriers.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Unguided 2.75-inch rocket family | The Navy fact file lists 2.75-inch rockets among the AV-8B's air-to-ground stores. Sources: NHHC AV-8B PDF Fact File |
 | Laser-guided 2.75-inch rocket family | NAVAIR reported that the Navy delivered the first fixed-wing APKWS variant to VMA-223 operating AV-8B Harriers in theater in March 2016. Sources: NAVAIR APKWS fixed-wing AV-8B |
 | Unguided 5-inch rocket family | The Navy fact file lists 5-inch rockets among the AV-8B's air-to-ground stores. Sources: NHHC AV-8B PDF Fact File |
Incendiary Bomb Stores
The Harrier's air-to-ground stores list also includes Mk-77 fire bombs.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Incendiary bomb family | The Navy fact file lists Mk-77 (Mod 2/4) fire bombs among the AV-8B's air-to-ground stores. Sources: NHHC AV-8B PDF Fact File |
Targeting Pods
The Harrier II Plus transformation adds extended war-fighting capability with LITENING II Targeting Pods.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Targeting pod | NAVAIR described the AV-8B Harrier II Plus configuration as gaining extended war-fighting capability with LITENING II Targeting Pods. Sources: NAVAIR AV-8B Litening II |
Timeline
AV-8B Harrier II Key Events
AV-8B proposed
McDonnell Douglas proposed the AV-8B as a new advanced vectored-thrust V/STOL light attack aircraft.
Sources: Boeing Last AV-8B Harrier Jet
YAV-8B first flight
The YAV-8B prototype flew for the first time, beginning the AV-8B Harrier II program.
Sources: Boeing Last AV-8B Harrier Jet
First operational AV-8B squadron
VMA-331 became the Marine Corps' first operational AV-8B squadron.
Sources: USMC VMA-223 Harrier Sundown
Harrier II Plus first flight
The AV-8B Harrier II Plus first flew as a U.S., Spanish, and Italian radar/avionics upgrade effort.
Sources: Boeing Last AV-8B Harrier Jet
Production ended
Production ended with delivery of the last AV-8B to Spain; Boeing counts 340 delivered aircraft including attack jets, trainers, and prototypes.
Sources: Boeing Last AV-8B Harrier Jet
Marine Corps Harrier sundown
The Marine Corps held the official AV-8B sundown ceremony at MCAS Cherry Point as VMA-223 concluded final Harrier operations.
Sources: USMC AV-8B Harrier Sundown Ceremony, USMC VMA-223 Harrier Sundown
Media
AV-8B Harrier II Images
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
Air Force JDAM Fact SheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports JDAM compatibility with the AV-8B Harrier II. | Accessed: 2026-07-04NAVAIR AV-8B HarrierPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports AV-8B mission tasks, ship and expeditionary basing, Harrier II Plus APG-65 radar background, contractor context, engine thrust, and core dimensions. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Boeing Last AV-8B Harrier JetPublisher: Boeing | Note: Supports AV-8B development chronology, Harrier II Plus first flight, 340-aircraft delivery count, 2003 production end, June 2026 U.S. Marine Corps sundown, and continuing Italian and Spanish naval service caveat. | Accessed: 2026-07-04NHHC AV-8B Harrier IIPublisher: Naval History and Heritage Command | Note: Supports the AV-8B Harrier II's U.S. Navy/Marine Corps inventory description and core specifications such as wingspan, length, speed, ferry range, and power plant. | Accessed: 2026-07-04NHHC AV-8B PDF Fact FilePublisher: Naval History and Heritage Command | Note: Supports the AV-8B Harrier II as a single-seat close-air-support light attack aircraft with V/STOL capability, plus the published built count and air-to-ground stores list that includes 2.75-inch and 5-inch rockets and Mk-77 (Mod 2/4) fire bombs. | Accessed: 2026-07-04AGM-65 Maverick Guided MissilePublisher: U.S. Navy | Note: Supports AV-8 family carriage of the AGM-65E Maverick and related carrier-platform background. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Marines AV-8B Harrier LegacyPublisher: U.S. Marine Corps | Note: Supports the AV-8B Harrier's Marine Corps service history and January 1985 initial operating capability. | Accessed: 2026-07-04USMC AV-8B Harrier Sundown CeremonyPublisher: U.S. Marine Corps | Note: Supports the official June 3, 2026 AV-8B Harrier sundown ceremony date at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. | Accessed: 2026-07-04USMC VMA-223 Harrier SundownPublisher: U.S. Marine Corps | Note: Supports the VMA-223 final Harrier squadron context, June 3, 2026 sundown event, and the transition from AV-8B Harrier II to F-35B/C. | Accessed: 2026-07-04VMFA-211 Squadron HistoryPublisher: U.S. Marine Corps | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Supports 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve: used by VMA-211 AV-8B Harrier crews from USS Makin Island and forward-deployed sites in combat operations against ISIL in Iraq and Syria from October 2014 to March 2015. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Operation Odyssey Lightning B-RollPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports 2016 U.S. Campaign Against ISIS in Libya: used by the 22nd MEU AV-8B Harrier II operations from USS Wasp in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning against ISIL targets in Sirte. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Operation Odyssey Lightning Launch PrepPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports 2016 U.S. Campaign Against ISIS in Libya: used by Marines preparing an AV-8B Harrier II for launch from USS Wasp during precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. | Accessed: 2026-07-0422nd MEU at ADABPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports 2001 War in Afghanistan: used by 22nd MEU AV-8B Harrier II crews from Al Dhafra Air Base in April 2019 while supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Afghan National Army support through the U.S. coalition. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons AV-8B Harrier II imagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a CC BY 2.0 Flickr-sourced AV-8B Harrier II photograph hosted on Wikimedia Commons. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons AV-8B on USS EssexPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a public-domain AV-8B Harrier II carrier-deck photograph. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons AV-8B hoveringPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a CC BY 2.0 Flickr-sourced AV-8B Harrier II hovering photograph hosted on Wikimedia Commons. | Accessed: 2026-07-04NAVAIR AV-8B Litening IIPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports AV-8B remanufacture from Day Attack aircraft to night attack/radar Harrier II Plus configuration, APG-65 radar, LITENING II Targeting Pods, and JDAM provisions. | Accessed: 2026-07-04NAVAIR First Upgraded TAV-8BPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports TAV-8B two-seat trainer identity and upgrade program details including night-vision compatibility, Pegasus 408 engines, structural enhancements, and mission software. | Accessed: 2026-07-04NAVAIR APKWS fixed-wing AV-8BPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports AV-8B carriage and fielding of fixed-wing APKWS 2.75-inch guided rockets with VMA-223 in March 2016. | Accessed: 2026-07-04