AV8 Restoration

The McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II is a single-engine ground-attack aircraft that constitutes the second generation of the Harrier family, capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL). The aircraft was primarily employed on light attack or multi-role missions, ranging from close air support of ground troops to armed reconnaissance. According to the 2025 Marine Corps Aviation Plan, the Harrier will remain in operation until the end of 2026. MCAS Cherry Point’s VMA-223 will be the last operational AV-8B squadron. The F-35 Lighting II, a fifth-generation fighter jet with V/STOL capabilities, replaces the Harrier AV-8B II.

Key Facts:

Development History: The Harrier’s maiden flight took place on November 20, 1970, as an AV-8A, with initial deliveries to the Marines Beginning in April 1971. Limitations of the early AV-8A were quickly realized, resulting in the development of the AV-8B. The first full-scale development of AV-8Bs did not fly until November 1981, and the initial deliveries of AV-8Bs to the Marines commenced in December 1983. Between 1979 and 1984, while the AV-8B was still under development, 47 surviving AV-8As underwent major airframe overhauls to upgrade radar and avionics, adding 4,000 airframe hours to the life of the aircraft. This upgrade resulted in the AV-8C, which was ultimately withdrawn from service in April 1987.

Design and Capabilities: Aside from the improved Pegasus 15 engine, which produced 24,500 pounds of thrust, the most prominent feature of the AV-8B was the new wing. The wing’s graphite composite structure, a supercritical airfoil, and a greater area and span accommodated 2,000 pounds more internal fuel and increased the hard points from four to six. Many of the new cockpit avionics features were directly related to the F/A-18 avionics. In 1989, squadrons began transitioning to the AV-8B (NA) Night Attack variation to fill the long-range, all-weather heavy attack role of the retiring A-6E Intruder. The AV-

8B (NA) received a new F402-RR-408 engine, and a forward-looking infrared pod in front of the

windscreen. The combination of the FLIR system and helmet-mounted night vision goggles proved to be an effective combination for the night attack role. The final version introduced in 1993 was the AV-8B II Plus. The critical feature was the adoption of the Hughes AN/APG-65 pulse-Doppler radar closely resembling the radar used in USMC F/A-18 Hornets.

Significance in Aviation History: Introducing the Harrier’s unique abilities represented a monumental leap in the Marine Corps' tactical air mobility. The AV-8B’s lethality and V/STOL capability, combined with the Amphibious Ready Group’s (ARG) proximity to coastal targets, rapid turnaround time, and hot weapons reloading, make it uniquely suited for deployment on MEU’s. FLAM’s new acquisition, BuNu 165572, has 1,549 combat hours, which is the most of any Harrier still in the inventory; it served in Iraq and Afghanistan and other operations in the Indian Ocean/West areas. It was one of two VMA-211 aircraft stationed at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, that were on a mission away from the base on September 14, 2012, when the Taliban infiltrated the airfield and destroyed VMA-211's remaining six Harriers.  VMA-211’s Commanding Officer LtCol. Christopher “Otis” Raible and Sgt. Bradley Atwell of MALS-13 was killed defending their airfield.

Importance of Restoration: The aircraft was recently removed from inventory and underwent the demil

process at MCAS Cherry Point. The financial impact for FLAM is the substantial fee to transport the Harrier

along with a spare F402-RR-408 engine and armament attachments across the country. 165572 will require

some restoration to improve the exterior airframe condition for its future home in the museum.