MARINE CORPS AIRCRAFT

Sea Power, Jan 2005

AV-8B HARRIER II

BRIEFING: The AV-8B Harrier II's primary tasks are to conduct close air support (CAS), armed reconnaissance and interdiction operations, armed escort of assault support operations and airdefense operations. The short-takeoff/vertical-landing (STOVL) capability of the Harrier provides greater basing flexibility and sortie generation rates than those of any other tactical jet aircraft. A Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine developing 23,400 pounds of vectored thrust enables the Harrier to perform a short takeoff using 300 to 1,200 feet of ground/shipboard roll and then return from the mission to perform a vertical landing. This STOVL capability has repeatedly proven itself during combat operations in Somalia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. During Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, the Harrier was the most forward-deployed strike aircraft in-theatcr while operating from amphibious ships and expeditionary airfields. Locating and fighting with the Marine ground combat element gave it the fastest response time of any fixed-wing aircraft. During Iraqi Freedom, several Harrier squadrons provided close air support, interdiction and strategic attack in support of coalition forces. Two amphibious assault ships operated in the Persian Gulf as dedicated "Harrier carriers," while one squadron was based ashore. All Harriers operated from forward operating bases throughout Iraq. AV-8B squadrons continue to support the global war on terrorism in deployed locations while detachments of AV-SBs are continually deployed onboard amphibious assault ships as part of the aviation combat element of a Marine Expeditionary Unit.

In September 2003, a Boeing remanufacturing program completed converting 74 older day-attack variants to the radar/nightattack standard by adding the APG-65 radar, navigation forwardlooking infrared radar (FLIR), digital moving map, night vision goggle (NVG)-compatible cockpit and tripling the capacity for expendable countermeasures, making the AV-8B one of the most capable attack aircraft in service. Litening AT targeting pods provide the AV-8B with the most advanced precision targeting pod currently fielded. Litening AT incorporates a third-generation . FLIR, television camera, laser rangefinder/tracker/designator, infrared pointer and VHS recorder.

The AV-8B was the lead platform in the introduction of the Litening video downlink capability that revolutionizes CAS and time-sensitive targeting operations by providing a live video feed of targeting and intelligence directly to the forward air controller. This system will greatly increase the Harrier's lethality and survivability while reducing the potential for fratricide, collateral damage and time to kill. Continued growth for the AV-8B is ensured by the Open-System Core Avionics Requirement (OSCAR) that will provide an advanced mission computer and warfare management computer. OSCAR provides Joint Direct-Attack Munition (JDAM) capability and the necessary architecture to allow streamlined integration of such advanced weaponry as the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). The two-seat TAV-8B trainer is also being modified with the more powerful RR-408 engine and an NVG-compatible cockpit. As of Sept. 1, 2004, the Marine Corps inventory included 141 AV-SBs and 18 TAV-SBs.

F/A-1 8 HORNET

BRIEFING: The F/A-18 Hornet replaced the F-4 Phantom II in all of the Marine Corps' fighter-attack squadrons. The two-seat F/A18D also has assumed the tactical and forward air-control missions formerly carried out by OV-10 and OA-4M aircraft in addition to the all-weather attack missions formerly carried out by the A-6E Intruder. In 1999, with the delivery of the ATARS (Advanced Tactical Air Reconnaissance System), the F/A-18D assumed the tactical reconnaissance mission previously carried out by RF-4B aircraft. ATARS permits transmission of real-time imagery to joint commanders via digital data link. The Coips now has two active squadrons of F/A-18A+S, six of F/A-18Cs, six of F/A-18Ds and three reserve squadrons flying F/A-18As. A fleet-replacement squadron operates F/A-18A/B/C/D aircraft. Four Marine F/A-18C squadrons have been integrated into Navy carrier air wings; one of these flew strikes against Iraq in Operation Desert Fox in 1998 and against terrorist targets in Afghanistan in 2001. Marine Corps F/A18s continued to support the global war on terrorism in 2002 with missions flown by two forward-deployed squadrons in Southwest Asia and one squadron embarked aboard an aircraft carrier. During Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, several Marine Corps Hornet squadrons based on carriers and ashore flew strikes against Iraqi targets and CAS for advancing coalition troops. The Marine Corps is presently upgrading all the F/A-18As to F/A-18C capability (as F/A-18A+) through Engineering Change Proposal-583. The Corps will continue to operate F/A-18A+/C/Ds until they are replaced by F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The last Hornet to be manufactured (an F/A-18D) was delivered to the Corps in August 2000. As of June 30, 2003, the Marine Corps operated 79 F/A-18A, four F/A-18B, 96 F/A-18C and 94 F/A-18D versions. (See Navy Aircraft section for F/A-18 specifications.)