Fruitful cooperation
After undertaking parallel studies for a successor to the similar Harrier
GR.Mk 3 and AV-8A in service with the Royal Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps.
McDonnell Douglas and British Aerospace decided to join forces for the
design of an advanced version of the Harrier, and the resulting YAV-8B
prototype first flew in November 1978.
Much enhanced Harrier
The AV-8B Harrier II entered USMC service in October 1983. By comparison
with the basic Harrier, it has a more powerful engine aspirated via larger
inlets, a revised fuselage with a fighter-type cockpit, a completely new
and larger wing of supercritical section and graphite epoxy construction
(with larger flaps, drooping ailerons, and leading-edge root extensions
for improved maneuverability), better underfuselage life-improvement
devices, and seven hardpoints for weapon carriage. From 1989 new aircraft
have had improved night attack capability through provision of night vision
goggles, a moving map display, and a head-up display accommodating FLIR
imaging.
Principal versions
AV-8B Harrier II (production model, of which the USMC needs 328), and TAV-8B
Harrier II (two-seat version with full combat capability).
Principal user
Spain and USA
Technical data
Type: McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace AV-8B Harrier II single-seat
STOVL close support warplane.
Engine: one 21,450-lb (9,730-kg) thrust Rolls-Royce F402-RR-406A or from
1990 25,000-lb (11,340-kg) thrust F402-RR-408 vectored-thrust turbofan.
Performance: maximum speed 661 mph (1,065 km/h) at sea level; initial
climb rate 14,715 ft (4,485 m) per minute; service ceiling 50,000+ ft
(15,240+ m); radius 103 miles (167 km) on a lo-lo-lo [sic] mission with
a one-hour loiter.
Weights: empty 13,086 lb (5,936 kg); maximum take-off 31,000 lb (14,061 kg).
Dimensions: span 30 ft 4 in (9.25 m); length 46 ft 4 in (14.12 m); height
11 ft 7.75 in (3.55 m); wing area 238.7 sq ft (22.18 m^2).
Armament: one 25-mm multi-barrel cannon, and up to 17,000+ lb (7,711+ kg)
of disposable stores.
--
Terry W. Colvin, Sierra Vista, Arizona (USA)
< fortean1@frontiernet.net >
Home Page: < http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Stargate/8958/index.html >
Sites: Fortean Times * Northwest Mysteries * Mystic's Cyberpage *
TLCB * U.S. Message Text Formatting (USMTF) Program
------------
Member: Thailand-Laos-Cambodia Brotherhood (TLCB) Mailing List
TLCB Web Site: < http://www.tlc-brotherhood.org >[Allies, CIA/NSA,
and Vietnam veterans welcome]
Southeast Asia (SEA) service:
Vietnam - Theater Telecommunications Center/HHC, 1st Aviation Brigade
(Jan 71 - Aug 72)
Thailand/Laos
- Telecommunications Center/U.S. Army Support Thailand
(USARSUPTHAI), Camp Samae San (Jan 73 - Aug 73)
- Special Security/Strategic Communications - Thailand
(STRATCOM - Thailand), Phu Mu (Pig Mountain) Signal Site
(Aug 73 - Jan 74)
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