Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the ground attack / cas aircraft category.
01 / Overview
McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1985–2003
Quantity
337
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT · COLD WAR
37
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
78
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the ground attack / cas aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1981
- Service Entry Year1985
- Crew1
- Primary Roleground-attack aircraft
- Generationsecond generation
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant6MOD.6
- Engine TypeRolls-Royce Pegasus F402-RR-408 (Mk 107)
- Engine ModelRolls-Royce Pegasus
- Number of Engines1
- Thrust (dry, each)96
- AfterburnerNo
- Thrust VectoringYes
▣Performance5MOD.5
- Top Speed1,083.326 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)0.8 Mach
- Service Ceiling13,000 m
- Ferry Range2,222.4 km
- Rate of Climb74.676 m/s
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length14.021 m
- Wingspan9.144 m
- Height3.353 m
- Wing Area22.613
- Empty Weight6,335.885 kg
- Loaded Weight10,410.12 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight14,000 kg
◆Armament5MOD.5
- Hardpoints9
- Weapons Payload5,500 kg
- Internal Gun1× General Dynamics GAU-12 Equalizer 25 mm (0.984 in) 5-barreled rotary cannon mounted under-fuselage in the left pod, w
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
▤Avionics & Stealth1MOD.1
⬢Production1MOD.1
- Total Built340
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1985Production started
- 1987Sale: Spain (12 units)
- 2003Production ended
41
years in service
18
years in production
337
units produced
6
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AV-8B HARRIER II · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win
Total Conflicts
5
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
2011Operation Unified Protector—→2011Operation Odyssey Dawn—→20112011 military intervention in Libya—→2001–2014Operation Enduring Freedom—→1992–1993Unified Task Force—→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries6country
McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier IISALES2records
Spain
Italyⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
06 / MASS Score
GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT RANKING Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
118GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT37COLD WAR · GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT1449UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS132PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT
ⓘ Rankings are within theGround Attack / CAS Aircraftcategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
The ability to direct engine thrust in varying directions to control aircraft attitude or trajectory.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources