U.S. Navy photo U.S. naval aviation has rejoined the fight against ISIL with the deployment of U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jump j...
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| U.S. Navy photo |
U.S. naval aviation has rejoined the fight against ISIL with the deployment of U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jump jets in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) on November 19.
The last Naval Aviation missions in support of OIR were Oct. 17, from USS Essex (LHD 2).
The Harriers from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM)162 (Reinforced) were launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) to conduct their first missions over Iraq.
The Harrier was the first VSTOL-capable (vertical/short takeoff and landing) jet in the Marine inventory.
Even though limited in payload and speed due to its VSTOL ability, the aircraft is used for multiple missions, which include attacking and destroying surface and air targets, escorting helicopters, engaging in air-to-air defense, providing reconnaissance and applying offensive and defensive support with its arsenal of missiles, bombs and an on board 25mm cannon.
Developed in the 1960s by BAE Systems, the Harrier is an ingenious design due to its ability to hover like a helicopter and fly like a fighter jet with near supersonic speed.
The 22000 pound thrust jet engine pumps air through four nozzles, two on each side of the fuselage, right under the wings. They rotate to propel the plane forward or straight up, allowing for very short takeoffs and vertical landings.
The U.S. Marine Corps will phase out its more than 100 Boeing built AV-8B Harrier II fleet by 2025, about five years earlier than planned, which is being replaced by the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B from 2015.
Developed in the 1960s by BAE Systems, the Harrier is an ingenious design due to its ability to hover like a helicopter and fly like a fighter jet with near supersonic speed.
The 22000 pound thrust jet engine pumps air through four nozzles, two on each side of the fuselage, right under the wings. They rotate to propel the plane forward or straight up, allowing for very short takeoffs and vertical landings.
The U.S. Marine Corps will phase out its more than 100 Boeing built AV-8B Harrier II fleet by 2025, about five years earlier than planned, which is being replaced by the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B from 2015.
