The AV-8B project was born in the early 1970's as an effort to address the operational inadequacies of the AV-8A first generation Harrier, aimed to dramatically improve the capabilities and performance of the early AV-8A's. The AV-8B made its maiden flight in November 1981 and entered service with the United States Marine Corps in January 1985. It later evolved into the AV-8B N/A (Night Attack) and AV-8B Harrier II Plus.
First flight of a modified AV-8B in the night attack configuration was on June 26th, 1987. Deliveries to the USMC began in September of 1989 to VMA-214 at Yuma, Arizona. Follow-up units based out of Yuma received their Night Attack AV-8Bs by the end of 1992.The AV-8B N/A variant (originally known as the AV-8D) had its first operational development in 1984 and included use of the NAVFLIR (Navigation Forward-Looking Infrared camera, consisting of a GEC-Marconi FLIR system mounted in the nose) for night operations. Additionally, GEC Cat's Eyes night vision goggles were provided to the pilot as well as a revised cockpit with color MFDs, a wider field-of-view HUD display, a color CRT digital moving map, and a complete "heads-down" operation capability. The AV-8B N/A also sports four Tracor ALE-39 countermeasures dispensers along the top of the rear fuselage, in addition to two ALE-39 dispensers along the lower rear of the fuselage. The AV-8B N/A also fields an updated version of the Rolls-Royce Pegasus 11-61 (F402-RR-408) vectored-thrust turbofan engine.
The subject of this study level simulation is the AV-8B N/A Bu No's 163853 and up which are the latest variant of this very capable AV-8B version.
Advanced Flight Model that provides realistic performance and flight characteristics of a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft
Highly detailed external 3D model and textures with animations
Highly detailed and accurate 6 DOF cockpit with high resolution textures, specular and bump mapping, and mouse-interactive controls
Highly realistic modelling of the aircraft systems including electrical, fuel, hydraulics, lighting, engine and navigation that includes:
Digital Engine Control System (DECS)
Automatic Fuel System
Air Refueling System
Electrical Power System
External Lighting
Internal Lighting
Hydraulic Power Supply System
Flight Control System (FCS)
Head-Up Display (HUD)
Up-front Control (UFC)
Option Display Unit (ODU)
Multipurpose Color Displays (MPCD)
VREST Computer (for jet-borne flight)
Air Data Computer (ADC)
Environmental Control System (ECS)
On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS)
Realistic weapons, sensor, and defensive systems include:
Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground GAU-12 Equalizer 25 mm (0.984 in) 5-barreled Rotary cannon pod
6 under-wing pylon stations holding up to 9,200 lb (4,200 kg) of payload which include:
AIM-9 Sidewinder or similar-sized infrared-guided missiles
AGM-65 Maverick Air-to-Surface missiles
Mark 80 series of unguided bombs (including 3 kg [6.6 lb] and 14 kg [31 lb] practice bombs)
Paveway series of Laser-Guided Bombs (LGBs)
Joint Direct Attack Munitions (GBU-38, GBU-32, and GBU-54)
Mark 20 Cluster Bomb Units (CBUs)
AN/AAQ-28V LITENING targeting pod
ALQ-164 ECM Pod
Several skins
Detailed Operational Manual and Pocket guide
Instant Action, Single, and Training Missions
Detailed representation of the USS Tarawa (LHA-1), lead ship of her class.