AV-8B Harrier II Stars & Stripes Rocks Glass

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The AV-8B Harrier II was a second-generation vertical/short takeoff and landing attack aircraft developed from the original Harrier by McDonnell Douglas, British Aerospace and Rolls-Royce. The YAV-8B prototype first flew on Nov 9ᵗʰ, 1978, with full-scale development aircraft following in 1981. The type entered U.S. Marine Corps squadron service in the mid-1980s.

Designed to replace the AV-8A Harrier and A-4M Skyhawk, the Harrier II used a larger composite wing, improved avionics, greater fuel capacity and a larger weapons load. Its ability to operate from amphibious assault ships, short runways, roads, remote landing sites and damaged airfields made it well suited to Marine expeditionary operations.

The AV-8B served as a close air support and light attack aircraft in Desert Storm, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. During Desert Storm alone, AV-8Bs flew 3,380 sorties and more than 4,000 flight hours, operating from sea bases and forward expeditionary airfields. Later versions included the Night Attack Harrier and the radar-equipped AV-8B Harrier II Plus.

Boeing gives total AV-8B production as 377 aircraft delivered between 1978 and 1995. The U.S. Marine Corps phased out the Harrier as it transitioned to the F-35B Lightning II, which retains short takeoff and vertical landing capability while adding stealth, modern sensors and supersonic performance. The AV-8B Harrier II+ reached the end of its planned U.S. Marine Corps service life in fiscal year 2026.