Between 2025 and October 2026, the Pentagon has planned to retire the last operational AV-8B Harrier vertical takeoff aircraft, which are part of two squadrons of the U.S. Marine Corps. This involves 39 aircraft assigned to VMA-231, which is set to retire its planes by October 2025, and VMA-223, which will do so a year later.
Both units will transition to the F-35B, marking the end of AV-8B Harrier operations in the U.S. military. This is outlined in the Marine Corps aviation development plan for 2025, and it may be of interest to Ukraine as the Armed Forces are currently seeking weapons support. Even setting aside the potential for the U.S. to provide new assistance to Ukraine, there remain questions about the feasibility of discussions regarding the AV-8B Harrier as a means to bolster the Armed Forces.
At first glance, this is a very intriguing aircraft, capable of operating in harsh conditions, as the Harrier is a carrier-based plane that can take off and land vertically or with minimal runway distance. Furthermore, the latest version of the AV-8B Harrier possesses significantly enhanced capabilities beyond its traditional classification as an attack aircraft.
The American Harriers, which entered service in 1985, underwent modernization in the 1990s under the Plus designation, expanding their combat capabilities through the integration of precision-guided munitions and the AN/APG-65 radar, which allows for the use of AIM-120 missiles. Essentially, this means they are practically full-fledged multi-role fighters of the 4+ generation, except that the Harrier is subsonic.
Overall, creating an aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing involves limitations and compromises. The ability to operate from ships comes at the cost of a reduced armament capacity (4.1 tons with a maximum takeoff weight of 14.1 tons), a limited combat radius of about 550 km, subsonic speed, and lower maneuverability.
Additionally, there are unique design solutions. For instance, the Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine features a distinctive design with four swiveling nozzles. Moreover, a water injection system is used in the engine for takeoff modes to cool the blades. Notably, to replace this engine, the wing must be removed from the aircraft.
Furthermore, the overall life cycle of the AV-8B Harrier is nearing its conclusion. After being retired from service in the U.S., they will continue to be operated in Italy, which is replacing them with F-35Bs, and in Spain, which currently lacks the funds for their replacement. Ultimately, there are also concerns regarding the training of pilots and technicians, especially for such a specialized aircraft that will no longer be modernized or updated.
Therefore, even with the presence of conditionally available AV-8B Harriers, which have effectively reached the end of their operational lifespan, considering them as a viable enhancement for the Armed Forces is quite challenging. This is without even mentioning the uncertainties surrounding U.S. assistance to Ukraine, its continuation, volume, and form.