US Marine Corps designations: AV-8B and TAV-8B RAF designations: GR. Mk 7 and T. Mk 10 Spanish Navy designation: VA.2 Matador II TYPE: Single-seat V/STOL close support, battlefield interdiction night attack and reconnaissance aircraft. PROGRAMME: Present collaborative programme began with two YAV-8B (converted AV-8A) aerodynamic prototypes (first flights 9 November 1978 and 19 February 1979); followed by four FSD aircraft (first flight 5 November 1981); first 12 pilot production AV-8Bs ordered FY82 (first flight 29 August 1983), deliveries to USMC began 12 January 1984; development programme for night attack version announced November 1984; first flights of RAF GR. Mk 5 development aircraft 30 April (ZD318) and 31 July 1985 (ZD319); first USMC operational AV-8B squadron (VMA-331) achieved IOC August 1985; first flight of two-seat TAV-8B (No 162747) 21 October 1986; first flight of night attack AV-8B prototype (No 162966) 26 June 1987; first GR. Mk 5 for RAF (ZD324) handed over 1 July 1987; TAV-8B deliveries (to VMAT-203) began August 1987; EAV-8B deliveries to Spain 1987 to 1988; production contract for new-build GR. Mk 7s placed April 1988; first flight of Pegasus 11-61 power plant (ZD402) 10 June 1989; first production night attack AV-8B (163853) delivered to VMA-214 on 15 September 1989; first flight of RAF GR. Mk 7 (development aircraft, converted from GR. Mk 5) 29 November 1989; 27 GR. Mk 7s ordered April 1988 (later increased to 34); first flight of production Mk 7 (ZG471) May 1990; production contract for T. Mk 10 placed February 1990; 24 FY91 AV-8Bs for USMC will be to Harrier II Plus standard (announced 4 December 1990). First flight of T. Mk 10, 7 April 1994. McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) testbed AV-8B first flew 30 November 1994 with wingtip AIM-9 Sidewinder AAM installation; 1995 trials programme included zero-scarf rear nozzles (matching front); improved underfuselage LID (Lift Improvement Device); and ceramic matrix composite blast deflector, replacing titanium shields around rear fuselage. `Phantom Works' research division also gained an NTAV-8B in 1996 for trials of low-cost integrated flight- and propulsion-control system. VERSIONS: AV-8B Harrier II: US Marine Corps single-seat close support version. Night attack avionics (including FLIR bulge ahead of windscreen) from 167th AV-8B (163853) onwards (see Avionics paragraph), plus (from No 182, 163874 and TAV-8B No 16, 164120, in December 1990) uprated F402-RR-408 (Pegasus 11-61) engine. Production complete. AV-8B Harrier II Plus: Radar equipped night attack version; described separately. AV-8B Night Attack: Night attack troop support version. See separate entry. TAV-8B Harrier II: US Marine Corps two-seat operational trainer, with longer forward fuselage and 0.43 m (1 ft 5 in) taller vertical tail than AV-8B; two cockpits in tandem; two underwing stores stations only; BAe major subcontractor for this version. EAV-8B: Manufacturer's designation for Spanish Navy VA.2 Matador II single-seat export version. Harrier GR. Mk 5: Royal Air Force single-seat battlefield air interdiction/close air support version. Two additional underwing stations, for Sidewinder missile carriage. All converted to Mk 7 by 1994. Harrier GR. Mk 5A: Interim designation for 19 GR. Mk 5s pending eventual upgrade to full GR. Mk 7 standard. All converted to Mk 7 by late 1992. Harrier GR. Mk 7: Royal Air Force single-seat night attack version, based on GR. Mk 5. Fitted with GEC Sensors FLIR and Smiths Industries HUD/HDD. Selected GR. Mk 7 fitted with Vinten five-camera reconnaissance pod. New production between May 1990 (first flight of ZG471) and 2 June 1992 (last delivery; ZG862); conversions between 1990 and 1995. Harrier T. Mk 10: Royal Air Force operational trainer for GR. Mk 7, based on TAV-8B airframe with eight underwing pylons, FLIR and night vision equipment of GR. Mk 7, but no ARBS. Last of 13 aircraft delivered on 26 October 1995. UPGRADES: AVIMO: Awarded contract by MoD in early 1997 to supply 100 sets of Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) for use on Harrier GR. Mk 7 fleet. BAe: Contract awarded to BAe to upgrade 58 (less attrition) Mks 5/5A to Mk 7 on 2 November 1990; first ex-Mk 5 (ZD380) redelivered to RAF 21 December 1990, first ex-Mk 5A (ZD430) on 9 April. Final Mk 7 conversions from early Mk 5 took place between 1996-97. BAe Military Aircraft Division: Completed project study in February 1995 for feasibility of integrating GEC-Marconi Avionics TIALD thermal imaging and laser designator pod onto Harrier GR. Mk 7 aircraft of the RAF. BAe: Contract awarded to BAe in late 1996 to upgrade 10 aircraft (69th to 78th single-seat) with provision for TIALD designation pod and 100 per cent LERX. BASE: Awarded contract by Computing Devices of Hastings (UK) in September 1996 to supply the TERPROM Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) for the Harrier GR. Mk 7/T. Mk 10. The Pds2 million contract covers customisation of the TERPROM software and licence for fleetwide use. Ferranti Technologies: Awarded contract in February 1996 by BAe Defence Limited to supply its SAHIS Mk 2 Standby Attitude and Heading Indicator System for installation on Harrier GR. Mk 7 and T. Mk 10, contract value Pds6.5 million. Contract provided for one-year development phase. Production to commence October 1997 and is due for completion in June 2000. GEC-Marconi: Plans exist to retrofit GEC-Marconi Radar and Defence Systems Ariel Towed Radar Decoy (TRD) on Harrier GR. Mk 7, Tornado F. Mk 3 and Jaguar GR. Mk 1B. Boeing/BAe GR. Mk 7: See Versions. Boeing/BAe Harrier II Plus: See separate entry. Boeing/BAe T. Mk 10: See Versions. Boeing: Appointed prime contractor for the USMC Open Systems Commercial Avionics Requirements (OSCAR) programme. CDI is developing a replacement for the AV-8B's AYK-14 mission computer using the PowerPc commercial processor. Production to commence end of 1997. Retrofit into AV-8B to start in first quarter of 1998. Boeing: Contract awarded by Italian Navy to fit its two Harrier TAV-8B trainer aircraft with Rolls-Royce Pegasus F402-RR-408 engines. BAe and Rolls-Royce acted as principal subcontractors. Programme completed November 1994. Boeing: Technology Demonstrator Harrier II Plus being used as a testbed to prove concept of wingtip missile rails for AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. RAF: UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that a study is taking place to assess the requirement for a re-engine programme for the RAF Harrier GR. Mk 7 and the Royal Navy Sea Harrier F/A Mk 2 aircraft. The study covers the replacement of the existing Rolls-Royce Pegasus 11-21 with the Pegasus 11-61 turbofan engines. RAF: Carrying out clearance trials during 1997 to integrate the Bristol Aerospace CRV-7 70 mm aerial rocket system for use on RAF Harrier GR. Mk 7 aircraft. CRV-7 rockets were originally purchased by the RAF for use on Jaguar GR. Mk 1A aircraft during `Operation Desert Storm'. OPERATORS: Versions of the AV-8B are in service with the armed forces of the following countries: India (27); Italy (18); Spain (19); UK (150); and USA (190). CUSTOMERS: US Marine Corps ordered total of 280 by FY91, including four FSDs (ordered FY79), 24 TAV-8Bs and 24 Harrier II Plus; target procurement of 300 AV-8Bs and 28 TAV-8Bs not achieved, but six ordered June 1992 to replace 1991 Gulf War losses and built in II Plus configuration. VMAT-203 received first AV-8B (161573) 12 January 1984 and first TAV-8B (162963) August 1987; also operated by VMA-211 (re-equipped 1990, second Night Attack squadron), VMA-214 (first with Night Attack version; initial aircraft, 163853, delivered 15 September 1989), VMA-223 (1 October 1987), VMA-231 (September 1985), VMA-311 (1989; third Night Attack unit, 1992), VMA-331 (commissioned 30 January 1985 as first operational unit but disbanded 30 September 1992), VMA-513 (January 1987; fourth Night Attack unit, 1992) and VMA-542 (1986; first Harrier II Plus unit, 1993). Small-scale detachments, from 1992 onwards, to Marines' composite squadrons (also with CH-46, AH-1W and UH-1N) for overseas voyages (for example, Somalia peacekeeping); AV-8B in HMM-262, 263 and 362; AV-8B Night Attack in HMM-161 and 361. Final USMC new-build Harrier (165006, a Plus version) first flew on 8 September 1995. Programme under way to modify 72 `day attack' aircraft to Plus standard (see following entry). Royal Air Force ordered total of 109 by 1990, comprising two FSDs, 41 GR. Mk 5s, 19 GR. Mk 5As, 34 GR. Mk 7s and 13 T. Mk 10s (last-mentioned announced 28 February 1990). First service flight of Mk 5 (ZD324) with No. 233 OCU, 30 March 1988; OCU redesignated No. 20 (Reserve) Squadron on 1 September 1992; deliveries to No. 1 Squadron from 23 November 1988 and unit redeclared to NATO on 2 November 1989; No. 1 re-equipped to GR. Mk 7 (rebuilt Mk 5As) and flew first sortie (ZD434) 2 June 1992; to No. 3 Squadron from 17 March 1989 (ZD401); Mk 5A delivered mainly to storage from 21 August 1990 (ZD432); first Mk 7 delivery to A&AEE, Boscombe Down, 5 June 1990 (ZG472); to Strike/Attack Operational Evaluation Unit (SAOEU) from 17 August 1990 (ZG473) - unit flew RAF's first NVG Harrier mission, 11 December 1990 and first NVG/GPS live bomb drop 19 February 1992; to No. 4 Squadron from 12 September 1990 (ZG473); re-equipped No. 3 Squadron from 30 November 1990 (ZG479). Single-seat deliveries completed (ZG862) 2 June 1992. Contract for BAe upgrade of 58 (less any attrition) Mks 5/5A to Mk 7 awarded 2 November 1990; first ex-Mk 5 (ZD380) redelivered to RAF 21 December 1990, first ex-Mk 5A (ZD430) on 9 April 1991. No. 1 Squadron mainly equipped with ex-Mk 5As; No. 20 Squadron (OCU) received first Mk 7 on 4 January 1993 and equipped with ex-Mk 5s from late production; final Mk 7 conversions, from early Mk 5s under way 1995-96. INS modified to FIN 1075G (incorporating GPS) on one SAOEU aircraft and six of No. 1 Squadron; first squadron flight (ZD437) 19 November 1992; all SAOEU Harriers with GPS by 1994; followed by modification of 18 used by Nos. 3 and 4 Squadrons (new production Mk 7s) to provide detachment of eight grey-camouflaged Harriers to Turkey for two years from April 1993 to patrol northern Iraq for UN; No. 1 Squadron achieved night operational status by March 1994; No. 3 Squadron by March 1995 and No. 4 12 months later. All three operational squadrons to move to Cottesmore in 1999. First landing of an RAF Harrier II aboard an aircraft carrier was effected by GR. Mk 7 ZG475 of SAOEU on HMS Illustrious at start of a three-aircraft deployment, 27 June 1994. Harriers employed over former Yugoslavia from 1 August 1995; configuration, including overall grey camouflage and BOL chaff dispenser, known as Mod Standard 95; undertook first RAF combat missions on 30 August; dropped 48 LGBs (with 92 per cent success) and 32 free-fall bombs by cessation of UN operation Deliberate Force on 21 September. Nos. 1, 3 and 4 Squadrons declared to Nato Reaction Force (Air) on 1 January 1996 and continued patrols over former Yugoslavia throughout that year. Further trials aboard aircraft carriers in 1996, including night flying, for Far East training deployment alongside Sea Harriers in February-March 1997. Contract placed with BAe at Dunsfold, late 1996, to upgrade 10 aircraft (69th to 78th UK single-seat) with provision for TIALD designation pod and 100 per cent LERX. Addition to Mk 7/10 fleet of Terprom GPWS authorised in 1996 for completion in 1998. Spanish Navy received 12 Matador IIs for Novena Escuadrilla (Eslla 009) between 6 October 1987 and September 1988; operational aboard Principe de Asturias; eight new-build Harrier II Plus ordered, for which first rear fuselage delivered to CASA in December 1994 to launch local assembly; five for delivery in 1996, plus three in 1997; remaining 10 Matador IIs to be converted to Plus standard; procurement 20. Italian Navy ordered a total of 18; two TAV-8Bs ordered May 1989 and 16 Harrier II Plus, of which first three ordered late 1991 (initial five all from USMC batch); option on eight; first delivery (two TAV-8Bs, MM55032-55033, to Giuseppe Garibaldi) 23 August 1991. Total firm orders (including II Plus, but excluding rebuilds) 428, of which 419 delivered by January 1997. MDC and BAe both delivered their final new-built aircraft in October 1995. COSTS: Pds200 million (1990 contract) for 14 T. Mk 10 aircraft. US$3,000 million (estimated) for rebuild of 114 AV-8Bs to Plus configuration. DESIGN FEATURES: Differences compared with Harrier GR. Mk 3/AV-8A include bigger wing and longer fuselage; use of graphite epoxy (carbonfibre) composite materials for wings and parts of fuselage and tail unit; adoption of supercritical wing section; addition of LIDS (lift improvement devices: strakes to replace gun/ammunition pods when armament not carried, plus retractable fence panel forward of pods) to augment lift for vertical take-off; larger wing trailing-edge flaps and drooped ailerons; redesigned forward fuselage and cockpit; redesigned engine air intakes to provide more VTO/STO thrust and more efficient cruise; two additional wing stores stations; wing outriggers relocated at mid-span to provide better ground manoeuvring capability; leading-edge root extensions (LERX) to enhance instantaneous turn rate and air combat capability; landing gear strengthened to cater for higher operating weights and greater external stores loads. Wing span and area increased by approximately 20 and 14.5 per cent respectively compared with GR. Mk 3/AV-8A; leading-edge sweep reduced by 10º; thickness/chord ratios 11.5 per cent (root)/7.5 per cent (tip); marked anhedral on wings and variable incidence tailplane. FLYING CONTROLS: Hydraulic actuation (by Fairey irreversible jacks) of drooping ailerons and slab tailplane; rudder actuated mechanically; single-slotted trailing-edge flaps with slot closure doors; manoeuvring at airspeeds below wingborne flight by jet reaction control valves in nosecone and tailcone and at each wingtip and by thrust vectoring; LIDS `box' traps air cushion bounced off ground by engine exhaust in VTOL modes, providing enough extra lift to enable aircraft to take off vertically at a gross weight equal to its maximum hovering gross weight; large forward hinged airbrake beneath fuselage aft of rear main landing gear bay. STRUCTURE: One-piece wing (including main multispar torsion box, ribs and skins), ailerons, flaps, LERX, outrigger pods and fairings, forward part of fuselage, LIDS, tailplane and rudder, are manufactured mainly from graphite epoxy (carbonfibre) and other composites; centre and rear fuselage, wing leading-edges (reinforced against bird strikes on RAF aircraft), wingtips, tailplane leading-edges and tips, and fin, are of aluminium alloy; titanium used for front and rear underfuselage heatshields and small area forward of windscreen. McDonnell Douglas/BAe work split is 60/40 for AV-8B and EAV-8B, 50/50 for RAF aircraft. McDonnell Douglas builds entire wing, front and forward centre-fuselage (including nosecone, air intakes, heatshields, engine access doors and forward fuel tanks) and underfuselage fences/strakes, for all aircraft, plus tailplanes for USMC and Spanish aircraft, and assembles all USMC/Spanish fuselages; BAe builds rear centre and rear fuselage (including blast and heatshields, centre and rear fuel tanks, dorsal air intakes and tail bullets), fins and rudders, and the complete jet reaction control system, for all aircraft, plus tailplanes for RAF aircraft, and assembles all RAF fuselages; final assembly is by Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) for USMC/Italy/Spain, BAe for RAF. LANDING GEAR: Retractable bicycle type of Dowty design, permitting operation from rough unprepared surfaces of very low CBR (California Bearing Ratio). Hydraulic actuation, with nitrogen bottle for emergency extension. Single steerable nosewheel retracts forward, twin coupled mainwheels rearward, into fuselage. Small outrigger units, at approximate mid-span between flaps and ailerons, retract rearward into streamline pods. Telescopic oleo-pneumatic main and outrigger gear; levered suspension nosewheel leg. Dunlop wheels, tyres, multidisc carbon brakes and anti-skid system. Mainwheel tyres (size 26.0 x 7.75-13.00) and nosewheel tyre (size 26.0 x 8.75-11) all have pressure of 8.62 bars (125 lb/sq in). Outrigger tyres are size 13.5 x 6.00-4.00, pressure 10.34 bars (150 lb/sq in). Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) is responsible for entire landing gear system. POWER PLANT: One 105.87 kN (23,800 lb st) Rolls-Royce F402-RR-408 (Pegasus 11-61) vectored thrust turbofan in AV-8B (95.42 kN; 21,450 lb st, F402-RR-406A/Pegasus 11-21 in aircraft delivered before December 1990); one 96.75 kN (21,750 lb st) Pegasus Mk 105 in Harrier GR. Mk 5; Mk 152-42 in EAV-8B. Redundant Digital Engine Control System (DECS), with mechanical back-up, standard from March 1987. Zero-scarf front nozzles. Air intakes have an elliptical lip shape, leading-edges reinforced against bird strikes and a single row of auxiliary intake doors. Access to engine accessories through top of fuselage, immediately ahead of wing. Integral fuel tanks in wings; total internal fuel capacity (fuselage and wing tanks) 4,319 litres (1,141 US gallons; 950 Imp gallons). Water injection tank with capacity of approximately 227 kg (500 lb). Retractable bolt-on in-flight refuelling probe optional. Each of the four inner underwing stations capable of carrying a 1,135 litre (300 US gallon; 250 Imp gallon) auxiliary fuel tank. ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only, on zero/zero ejection seat (UPC/Stencel for USMC, Martin-Baker for RAF), in pressurised, heated and air conditioned cockpit. AV-8B cockpit raised approximately 30.5 cm (12 in) in comparison to AV-8A/YAV-8B, with redesigned one-piece wraparound windscreen (thicker on RAF aircraft than on those for USMC) and rearward sliding bubble canopy, to improve all-round field of view. Windscreen de-icing. Windscreens and canopies for all aircraft manufactured by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). SYSTEMS: No 1 hydraulic system has flow rate of 43 litres (11.4 US gallons; 9.5 Imp gallons)/min; flow rate of No 2 system is 26.5 litres (7.0 US gallons; 5.8 Imp gallons)/min. Reservoirs nitrogen pressurised at 2.76 to 5.52 bars (40 to 80 lb/sq in). Other systems include Westinghouse Variable Speed Constant Frequency (VSCF) solid-state electrical system, Lucas Mk 4 gas-turbine starter/APU, Clifton Precision OnBoard Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS), and Graviner Firewire fire detection system. Dorsal airscoop at base of fin for avionics bay cooling system. AVIONICS: Comms: Collins RT-1250A/ARC-182 U/VHF com (GEC-Marconi Avionics AD3500 ECM-resistant U/VHF-AM/FM in RAF GR. Mk 7 aircraft; military designation ARI 23447 but ARC-182/ARI 23387 in GR. Mk 5), AlliedSignal RT-1157/APX-100 IFF (Cossor IFF 4760 Mk 12/ARI 23389 transponder for RAF). Flight: R-1379B/ARA-63 all-weather landing receiver (AV-8B only), RT-1159A/ARN-118 Tacan (ARI 23368 for RAF), RT-1015A/APN-194(V) radar altimeter (ARI 23388 for RAF GR. Mk 5 but RT1042A/ARI 23388 in GR. Mk 7), Honeywell CV-3736/A com/nav/identification data converter, Litton AN/ASN-130A inertial navigation system (replaced by GEC-Marconi FIN 1075 or 1075G with RAF), AlliedSignal CP-1471/A digital air data computer. Retrofit of integrated GPS/Tacan authorised for USMC December 1994, for completion by June 1998. Flight controls that interface with reaction control system provided by Honeywell AN/ASW-46(V)2 stability augmentation and attitude hold system, now updated to high AoA capable configuration. RAF aircraft have an accident data recorder and (ordered July 1994) GEC-Marconi AVRS (Airborne Video Recording System). BAe Terprom GPWS to be installed in all RAF Mks 7/10s in 1997-98. FIN 1075 modified for shipborne alignment by 1996. Instrumentation: Smiths Industries SU-128/A dual-combining glass HUD and CP-1450/A display computer, IP-1318/A CRT Kaiser digital display indicator, and (RAF only) GEC-Marconi moving map display. Night attack version has Smiths Industries IP 450 SUM2 wide-angle HUD, CP 1447/A display computer, two IP 714 SUM6 colour CRT multipurpose displays and digital colour moving map display (Honeywell for USMC, GEC-Marconi for RAF) and pilot's NVGs (variant of GEC-Marconi Nite-Op) with compatible cockpit lighting. Back-up mechanical instrumentation includes ASI, altimeter, AoA indicator, attitude indicator, cabin pressure altitude indicator, clock, flap position indicator, HSI, standby compass, turn and slip indicator, and vertical speed indicator. Mission: Primary weapon delivery sensor system for AV-8B and GR. Mk 7 is Hughes Aircraft AN/ASB-19(V)2 or (V)3 Angle Rate Bombing Set, mounted in nose and comprising a dual-mode (TV and laser) target seeker/tracker. ARBS functions in conjunction with Unisys CP-1429/AYK-14(V) mission computer (built as Computing Devices ACCS 2500 for RAF), Smiths Industries AN/AYQ-13 stores management system, display computer, HUD and MPD, and digital display indicator. Night attack versions equipped with GEC-Marconi nose-mounted FLIR. Vinten VICON 18 Srs 403 long-range optical reconnaissance pod evaluated for RAF 1991 and adopted 1993 as Srs 603, later 603GP(-1); VICON 57 multisensor pod evaluated in 1992, but aircraft policing northern Iraq (1993-96) employed VICON 18 or Harrier GR. Mk 3's optical pod. VICON 18 issued to RAF squadrons in Germany from late 1996. Contract placed 1994 for GEC-Marconi TIALD (Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designator) pods. AMPA (Advanced Mission Planning Aid), which incorporates a data module inserted into the aircraft, first used by RAF in September 1996. Self-defence: Litton AN/ALR-67(V)2 fore/aft-looking RWR (AV-8B only), UK MoD AN/ARR-51 FLIR receiver, Goodyear AN/ALE-39 flare/chaff dispenser (upper and lower rear fuselage; current two dispensers to be increased to six) (Tracor ADDS 2A flare dispenser in RAF aircraft). Provision for Sanders AN/ALQ-164 defensive ECM pod on centreline pylon. GR. Mk 7 has GEC-Marconi Defence Systems ARI 23333 Zeus internal ECM system comprising advanced RWR and multimode jammer with Northrop Grumman RF transmitter; and Plessey PVS 2000 pulse Doppler Missile Approach Warning (MAW) radar, mounted in tailboom, which automatically activates appropriate countermeasures upon detecting approach of enemy missiles; optical missile approach warner for retrofit to USMC aircraft. RAF defensive aids include Bofors BOL 304 chaff dispenser in rear of Sidewinder launch rails (Phimat pod on port outer wing pylon from 1994, pending BOL availability from 1996). Italian Navy aircraft have Sanders AN/ALQ-164 electronic countermeasures, ordered March 1995. EQUIPMENT: Back-up mechanical instrumentation includes ASI, altimeter, AOA indicator, attitude indicator, cabin pressure altitude indicator, clock, flap position indicator, HSI, standby compass, turn and slip indicator, and vertical speed indicator. Anti-collision, approach, formation, in-flight refuelling, landing gear position, auxiliary exterior lights, and console, instrument panel and other internal lighting. ARMAMENT: Two underfuselage packs, mounting on port side a five-barrel 25 mm cannon based on General Electric GAU-12/U, and 300-round container on starboard side, in AV-8B; or (RAF) two 25 mm Royal Ordnance Factories cannon with 100 rds/gun (derived from 30 mm Aden). Single 454 kg (1,000 lb) stores mount on fuselage centreline, between gun packs. Three stores stations under each wing on AV-8B, stressed for loads of up to 907 kg (2,000 lb) inboard, 454 kg (1,000 lb) on intermediate stations, and 286 kg (630 lb) outboard. Four inner wing stations are wet, permitting carriage of auxiliary fuel tanks; reduced manoeuvring limits apply when tanks mounted on intermediate stations. RAF aircraft and new production Harrier II Plus have additional underwing station, for Sidewinder air-to-air missile, ahead of each outrigger wheel fairing. Typical weapons include two or four AIM-9L Sidewinder, Magic or AGM-65E Maverick missiles, or up to six Sidewinders; up to 16 540 lb free-fall or retarded general purpose bombs, 12 BL 755 or similar cluster bombs, 1,000 lb free-fall or retarded bombs, 10 Paveway laser-guided bombs, eight fire bombs, 10 Matra 155 rocket pods (each with 18 68 mm SNEB rockets), or (in addition to underfuselage gun packs) two underwing gun pods. ML Aviation BRU-36/A bomb release units standard on all versions. TAV-8B can carry six Mk 76 practice bombs or two LAU-68 rocket launchers for weapons training. RAF Harrier GR. Mk 7 integrating Bristol aerospace CRV-7 rocket system during 1997.
