AV- 8B Harrier II

AV-8B Harrier II (American designation) or Harrier GR.5 (English designation) is the second generation of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier. Its development was initiated at the end of the years 1970 by the the United States, joined quickly by the the United Kingdom which had designed the initial version.

Design

AV- 8B and GR.5

In 1973, British Aerospace and McDonnell Douglas study a version improved of the Harrier able to carry a load twice more important at a distance twice larger. The project is cancelled by English in 1975, also American go back to work only on a less ambitious version not requiring to develop a new engine. November 9th, 1978, a AV-8A equipped with a new wing in composite materials makes its first vol. Of the extensions of leading edge are added thereafter to improve maneuverability. In 1980 the British, who had also studied a modification of the wing of Harrier on their side, finally decide to take part in the American project.

Largely built out of composite materials, the first genuine AV-8B makes its inaugural flight on November 5th, 1981. It is able to carry the double of load of a AV-8A, with 2 additional pylons under the wings. The 2 pods guns of 30mm of the previous model are replaced by only one gun of 25mm, the other pod containing the ammunition. The cockpit entirely is re-examined, raised on the model of the Sea Harrier and becoming as modern as that of F/A-18 Hornet. New electronic systems are installed, in particular a new system of bombardment coupled to a laser aiming and TV.

Construction in series started in 1983. The the United States accepted single-seat 174 AV- 8B and 22 two-seater TAV-8B of drive. The the United Kingdom produced 62 specimens of version GR.5, based on the AV-8B with important modifications of the electronic systems. The Spain also bought 12 AV- 8B. At the end of the years 1980, these new planes had entirely replaced the Harrier of first generation.

Evolutions with the the United States

A version AV-8B (NA) intended for the night attack appeared in 1987, equipped with a camera Infrarouge and an instrument panel compatible with the American equipment of night vision. It also has a more powerful engine 10% and some other modifications.

Version AV-8B+ (or Harrier II More) appeared in 1992. In addition to the modifications of the AV-8B (NA), it has an adapted version of the radar Hughes AN/APG-65 of F/A-18 Hornet. Two additional rails of carrying for missile AIM-9 Sidewinder were also installed. The AV-8B+ was sold with the Italy (18 planes) and with the Spain (9 planes plus modified 10 AV- 8B), part of these planes being assembled locally.

Other improvements and evolutions are wished by the US Marine Body, principal user of the AV-8B Harrier II, but not produced yet because of problems of financing.

Evolutions with the the United Kingdom

Version GR.7 is equivalent to the AV-8B (NA) American, although it is equipped with English electronic systems. The prototype made its first flight at the end of 1989 and the deliveries began one year later. Thirty specimens GR.7A received an engine Pegasus 107 of 106 kN push.

A version GR.9 is envisaged. It will consist in modifying the GR.7 by replacing important parts of embarked electronics, in particular all the system of armament in order to enable them to use new missiles. The modified GR.7A will then be indicated GR.9A.

Engagements

The American AV-8B took part in:

English Harrier GR.5/GR.7 took part in:

  • the War of Yugoslavia (to replace the Sea Harrier)
  • the War in Iraq (2003-2006)

Country operators

Alternatives

Note:: for the previous models, to see the article Hawker Siddeley Harrier

  • AV-8B Harrier II: initial version for the the United States (174 specimens)

  • TAV-8B: two-seat trainer of the AV-8B (22 specimens)
  • AV-8B (NA): capacities of night attack (61 specimens)
  • AV-8B+: new radar, 2 additional pylons (27 new planes plus 72 existing modified)

  • Harrier GR.5 : initial version for the the United Kingdom (41 specimens)
  • Harrier GR.5A: version slightly modified to prepare the GR.7 (21 specimens)
  • Harrier GR.7: capacities of night attack (34 new planes plus 58 modified GR.5/GR.5A)
  • Harrier GR.7A: GR.7 with Pegasus 107 (30 modified GR.7)
  • Harrier GR.9: modified electronics (30 modified GR.7)
  • Harrier GR.9A: GR.9 with Pegasus 107 (30 modified GR.7A)
  • Harrier T.6: two-seat trainer of the GR.5 (14 specimens)

  • Exemplary for the Italy: Exemplary 18 AV- 8B+
  • for the Spain: 12 AV- 8B and 9 AV- 8B+

Total second generation: 433 specimens

Related articles

External bonds

  • History of the AV-8B Harrier II on Air Vectors

Be-X-old: Harrier II

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