McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II
Quick Facts
Quick Facts
Together, the United Kingdom, United States and Germany funded the evaluation of 9 development aircraft, known as Kestrels in 1965 to investigate the value of tactical jet V/STOL operations.
The first tactical jet V/STOL (Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing) airplane to become operational, and joined the Marine Corps in 1971.
The Harrier’s V/STOL capability allowed it to support ground troops from nearby unimproved fields.
In 1985 it featured extensive changes, including a new supercritical composite wing, increased fuel capacity, a new cockpit, new propulsion nozzles, a bubble canopy an automatic stability control.
