A joint effort by British Aerospace and McDonnell Douglas resulted in the development of the AV-8A Harrier II which first flew on November 9, 1978. Deliveries began in July 1987 for the USMC AV-8A/RAF GR.5, but was soon followed with the night attack-capable AV-8B/GR.7 variants. Existing RAF GR.5 aircraft in service were upgraded to GR.7 standard by 1994, and AV-8A to B upgrades completed by 1993.
Like the AV-8B, the RAF Harrier GR.7 features a longer fuselage and larger wing area over its predecessor. The redesigned fuselage includes a raised cockpit and modified engine air intakes. For the night attack role, it has a full color digital map display and wide-angle HUD. Weapon delivery sensors include an Angle Rate Bombing Set (ARBS) system with TV and laser target seeker and tracker in the nose, and a forward-looking infrared sensor in the fairing atop the nose. The defensive systems include the Zeus ECM and chaff/flare dispensors located in the rear of the AIM-9 launch rails.
Prime Contractor: McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, British Aerospace
Nation of Origin: USA and UK
Function: Attack
Crew: 1
Year: 1978
In-service year: 1987
Engine:
AV-8B : One Rolls Royce F402-RR-408 turbofan, 23,400 lb thrust
GR.7 : One Rolls Royce Pegasus Mk 105 turbofan, 21,750 lb thrust
Dimensions
Wingspan: 9.25 m / 30 ft 4 in
Length: 14.11 m / 46 ft 4 in
Height: 3.55 m / 11 ft 8 in
Weight: 15,542 lb empty / 31,000 lb max. standard take off / 18,950 lb max. vertical take off
Speed: 1,065 km/h / 661 mph @ sea level
Range: 1,500 km / 2,416 miles
Armament: Two 25mm cannons with 100 rounds each, plus up to 9,200 lb including bombs, rockets, AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs, or fuel tanks on seven external points
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