AV-8B Harrier

By
ABC News
January 7, 2006, 10:26 AM ET
2 min read

— -- The versatile, British-designed Harrier attack jet can take off and land vertically, much like a helicopter. The $24 million aircraft has a top speed approaching Mach 1 and carries both air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, including the missile. Harriers fought dramatically and effectively in the British conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands.

Primary function: Attack and destroy surface targets under day and night visual conditions.

Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas

Propulsion: One Rolls Royce F402-RR-406 or F402-RR-408 turbofan engine

Thrust: F402-RR-406: 21,500 pounds

F402-44-208: 23,400 pounds

Length: 46.3 feet (14.11 meters)

Wing span: 30.3 feet (9.24 meters)

Cruise speed: Subsonic to transonic

Ferry range: 2100 nautical miles (2416.64 miles)

Combat radius: close air support: 163 nautical miles (187.45 miles) with 30 minutes time on station interdiction: 454 nautical miles (522.45 miles)

Armament: Seven external store stations, comprising six wing stations for AIM-9 Sidewinder and an assortment of air-to-ground weapons, external fuel tanks and AGM-65 Maverick missiles; one centerline station for DECM pod or air-to-ground ordnance. A GAU-12 25MM six-barrel gun pod can be mounted on the centerline and has a 300 round capacity with a lead computing optical sight system (LCOSS) gunsight.

Crew: 1

Introduction date: 12 January 1985, AV-8BII (Plus) introduced in June 1993.

Data courtesy www.hqmc.usmc.mil