Based on the 1957 British-designed Hawker-Siddley Kestrel, the AV-8B Harrier II was developed by a team representing McDonnell Douglas, British Aerospace and Rolls-Royce. Production of the St. Louis, Mo.-built AV-8B began in 1981, and more than 340 Harrier IIs were produced. They carried more fuel than the earlier AV-8As and had higher lift and better cruise characteristics.

A fixed-wing vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft, its ability to take off vertically makes it one of the most maneuverable combat aircraft in service. It can zoom out of the range of enemy fire extremely quickly.