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From: jfb@ihlpm.att.com (Joseph F Baugher)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: The Marine Corps' AV-8B Harrier
Keywords: facts, figures, data
Message-ID: <1990Sep28.014342.13695@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 28 Sep 90 01:43:42 GMT
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From: jfb@ihlpm.att.com (Joseph F Baugher)
Here's number twenty-six in the series--The AV-8B Harrier

McDonnell-Douglas AV-8B Harrier

	Engine: 
		One Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk105 vectored-thrust turbofan,
		21,750 lb. st.

	Performance:
		Maximum speed: 661 mph (Mach 0.87) at sea level
		Maximum speed:  600 mph (Mach 0.91) at 36,000 feet
		Tactical radius: 100 miles (12 Mk-82 bombs and one-hour loiter)
		Tactical radius: 550 miles (Two external tanks and 7 Mk-82
					bombs, no loiter)
		Ferry range: 2000 miles

	Weights:
		Empty weight: 14,000 pounds
		Maximum takeoff weight: 18,950 pounds (VTOL)
		Maximum takeoff weight: 31,000 pounds (STOL)

	Armament:
		Two 25-mm cannon can be carried on under-fuselage stations.
		Six underwing weapons stations.
		Up to 16 MK 82 or six Mk 83 bombs, six BL-755 cluster bombs,
		four AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles, or ten rocket
		pods on underwing stations.  
		Maximum external weapons load: 9200 pounds  (STOL mode)

	Electronics:
		I have no details.

	Remarks:
		License-built version of British Aerospace Harrier vertical
		take off close support aircraft for service with U. S. Marine
		Corps

		RAF equivalent of Marine Corps AV-8 is GR Mk. 5.

		TAV-8B is two-seat operational training version.
		
		AV-8A was similar to Harrier GR.Mk3 but with some equipment
		variations.  
		
		47 AV-8A upgraded to AV-8C standard, with new rear-warning
		radar, an AN/ALE-40 chaff dispenser, and other improvements.
		Most of the AV-8Cs will be replaced by AV-8Bs.

		AV-8B is an extensively-revised version of the basic Harrier
		with a revised cockpit canopy for better visibility.

		Cannot carry much of a useful offensive load when operated
		in the VTOL mode.  However, when used in the STOL mode, the
		load is quite impressive for an aircraft of its small size.

		In Falkland/Malvinas war between Britain and Argentina, the
		Harrier proved to be an effective dogfighter against the
		Argentinian Dagger aircraft.  The primary weakness of
		the Harrier was its limited range and endurance.  The lack of
		any effective British carrier-based radar picket aircraft also 
		played a role.

		In simulated aerial combat between Harriers and "conventional"
		aircraft, the Harrier has often proved effective against
		planes of vastly superior performance (such as the F-15 and
		F-16) by taking advantage of its unique vector thrusting
		ability to enhance its low-speed maneuverability.  The old
		warning about the Mitsubishi Zero-sen--"Never try to turn with
		a Zero"--is probably equally valid for the Harrier.

Sources:
	The Observer's Book of Aircraft, William Green.
	The World's Great Attack Aircraft, Gallery Books
 	Modern Air Combat, Bill Gunston, Mike Spick
 	The American Fighter, Enzo Angellucci and Peter Bowers.


Joe Baugher				**************************************
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