Hawker Siddeley AV-8C Harrier

The Hawker Siddeley AV‑8C Harrier, produced by British Aerospace under licence for the United States Marine Corps, is the most advanced variant of the pioneering V/STOL fighter‑jet family. Its development traces back to the 1960s when Hawker Siddeley introduced the original Harrier, the world’s first operational aircraft capable of vertical or short take‑off and landing using a single swivelling exhaust nozzle. In the 1980s the USMC selected the AV‑8C for a major upgrade, integrating a more powerful Rolls‑Royce Pegasus turbofan, digital flight‑control computers, and reinforced airframe components. Key features include thrust‑vectoring nozzles that enable true vertical lift, a lightweight composite wing, and a cockpit equipped with heads‑up display and night‑vision compatibility. The aircraft can carry a versatile payload of air‑to‑air missiles, precision‑guided bombs, and reconnaissance pods while operating from amphibious assault ships, austere forward bases, or conventional runways. Its ability to hover, transition to supersonic flight, and operate in constrained environments reshaped close‑air support doctrine and gave the Marine Corps a decisive tactical edge. The AV‑8C Harrier remains a symbol of engineering ingenuity, illustrating how V/STOL technology expanded operational flexibility and influenced later designs such as the F‑35B.