| Description: |
The first USMC Harrier II was the AV-8B, a daytime strike fighter. In 1984 development of the AV- 8B(NA) “Night Attack” Harriet II began. This version of the Harrier received additional counter-measure dispensers and Rolls-Royce Pegasus 11-61 (F402-RR-408) vectored-thrust turbofan engine. Constructed as AV-8B-10 163176, it completed its maiden flight on October 6, 1987. On October 29, 1987 the aircraft was assigned to VMA-513 at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. Over the next 13 years this aircraft change units several times before transferring to VMA-311 MCAS Yuma, Arizona in February 2000 where in June 2000 it was Struck Off Charge (SOC) and rebuilt. The rebuild meant a new Bu. No 165581. In 2013 165581 went back to VMA-311 and deployed to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan where it sustained $3.9 million in damages during a landing accident. |