McDonnell Douglas AV-8C Harrier

The McDonnell Douglas AV-8C Harrier was an American-built variant of the British Hawker Siddeley Harrier vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) attack aircraft. The U.S. Marine Corps acquired the Harrier in the early 1970s to provide close air support from forward bases and amphibious assault ships. McDonnell Douglas produced the AV-8A starting in 1971, followed by the improved AV-8C variant in 1979. The AV-8C incorporated upgrades including improved avionics, a lift improvement device system, and enhanced weapons capability. The AV-8C was powered by a single Rolls-Royce Pegasus 103 vectored-thrust turbofan engine producing 21,500 pounds of thrust. The engine featured four rotating nozzles that could direct thrust downward for vertical operations or rearward for conventional flight. The aircraft served with Marine Attack Squadrons from 1971 until the early 1990s when it was replaced by the AV-8B Harrier II.