AV-8B Plus (Italy)
| This page is about the jet fighter AV-8B Plus (Italy). For other versions, see Harrier (Family). |
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Contents
Description
In 1989, Italy's ban on using fixed-wing aircraft in naval aviation was finally lifted and, without missing a beat, Italy signed a contract the following year for the purchase of 14 AV-8B+ VTOL fighters and 2 TAV-8B trainers for usage aboard their Giuseppe Garibaldi-class aircraft carrier. The Harrier IIs would form the backbone of Italian naval aviation in the modern era, being modernized for operations aboard the new Cavour-class carrier and soon the upcoming Trieste carrier, where they will be supplemented in the VTOL strike role by F-35B Lightning II fighters.
The ▄AV-8B Plus Harrier, introduced in Update "Sons of Attila", is a modernized version of the venerable AV-8 Harrier, bringing it up to 4th generation fighter standards. The upgrades applied allow this aircraft to not only carry a plethora of new guided ordnance, targeting systems, protective measures, and advanced air-to-air missiles, but also the airframe itself was heavily upgraded over previous AV-8s, with a more powerful engine and large leading edge extensions, allowing the Harrier II to manoeuvre swiftly in ways its predecessors could only imagine.
The AV-8B+ is an incredible all-rounder for the high ranks of Italy, proving to be a decent support fighter in dedicated air battles, but where it truly shines in mixed battles: With the capability to bring up to 10 x laser guided GBU-12 bombs, in addition to a LITENING II thermal pod, a GAU-12/U rotary cannon, and two AIM-9Ms for self-defence, the AV-8B+ can absolutely decimate ground forces when left unchecked in the airspace above a ground battle. Other ordnance options on the AV-8B+ include up to four AGM-65D Mavericks or the larger GBU-16 laser guided bombs, or a wide array of various unguided bombs and rockets to choose from. The aircraft also presents itself with many tricks up its sleeve due to being a VTOL: In air engagements, the act of "VIFF"ing, or "Vector In Forward Flight" allows the Harrier II to quickly force an opponent to overshoot while also tightening its own turning circle through the use of VTOL thrust vectoring. In ground battles, while a risky manoeuvre with a lot of preparation required, it is possible to use the AV-8B+ similarly to a helicopter: by hovering behind terrain cover and only popping out occasionally to launch a fire-and-forget AGM-65D Maverick missile at unsuspecting tanks.
General info
Flight performance
| Characteristics | Max speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level) |
Max altitude (metres) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (metres/second) |
Take-off run (metres) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | |||
| Stock | 1,126 | 1,119 | 12192 | 30.9 | 31.6 | 82.7 | 82.7 | 550 |
| Upgraded | 1,143 | 1,134 | 30.1 | 30.5 | 123.1 | 102.0 | ||
Details
| Features | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear | Drogue chute |
| X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | X |
| Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
| Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
| 1,137 | 648 | - | ___ | ___ | ~__ | ~__ |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < ___ | < ___ | < ___ | - |
Engine performance
| Engine | Aircraft mass | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine name | Number | Basic mass | Wing loading (full fuel) | ||||
| Rolls-Royce F402-RR-408 | 1 | 6,679 kg | 472 kg/m2 | ||||
| Engine characteristics | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) | Max Gross Weight | |||||
| Weight (each) | Type | 13m fuel | 20m fuel | 30m fuel | 45m fuel | ||
| 1,796 kg | Vectored-thrust low-bypass turbofan | 7,735 kg | 8,215 kg | 8,984 kg | 10,199 kg | 13,007 kg | |
| Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP) | ||||||
| Condition | 100% | WEP | 13m fuel | 20m fuel | 30m fuel | 45m fuel | MGW |
| Stationary | 10,024 kgf | 10,840 kgf | 1.40 | 1.32 | 1.21 | 1.06 | 0.83 |
| Optimal | 10,024 kgf (0 km/h) |
10,840 kgf (0 km/h) |
1.40 | 1.32 | 1.21 | 1.06 | 0.83 |
Survivability and armour
Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Armaments
| Ballistic Computer | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCIP (Guns) | CCIP (Rockets) | CCIP (Bombs) | CCRP (Bombs) | EEGS |
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Offensive armament
The AV-8B Plus (Italy) is armed with:
- 180 x countermeasures
Suspended armament
The AV-8B Plus (Italy) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | .png) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 mm GAU-12/U cannons (300 rpg) | 1 | ||||||||
| 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 250 lb Mk 81 Snakeye bombs | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| 277 kg GBU-12 Paveway II bombs | 2* | 3* | 3* | 2* | |||||
| 1,092 lb GBU-16 Paveway II bombs | 1* | 1* | 1* | 1* | |||||
| Mk 77 mod 4 incendiary bombs | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |||
| FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets | 38 | 57 | 57 | 38 | |||||
| Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets | 8 | 12 | 12 | 8 | |||||
| AGM-65D missiles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| AGM-65G missiles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| AIM-120A missiles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| LITENING II targeting pod | 1* | ||||||||
| Maximum permissible loadout weight: 4,200 kg Maximum permissible wing load: 1,900 kg Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 1,400 kg | |||||||||
| * The LITENING II pod must be equipped when carrying guided bombs | |||||||||
| Default weapon presets | |
|---|---|
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Usage in battles
Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great payload options, access to a very diverse range of ground attack ordnance which include laser-guided bombs and missiles
- Has access to VTOL, can be used to capture enemy points or even hide the aircraft when engaging enemies
- Can sustain long dogfights with its decent energy retention
- Has built-in target tracker and FLIR even without targeting pod
- Has Pilot NVD
Cons:
- Relatively slow top speed compared to other modern aircraft
- Need to be in a light configuration if you want to survive dogfights
- Not very armoured, can't handle being damaged unlike other aircraft
History
The Italian's Harrier story begins on 1st February 1989. Due to post-war laws, Italy had very strict guidelines to follow when it came down to its own military forces, these laws would however change shortly after Italy would join NATO. Of these many laws, one would prohibit the Italian Navy from possessing heavily armed aircraft. As such, a new law would be passed known as the "La Legge N.36 del 1 febbraio del 1989 " or "Ali alla Marina" (wings to the Navy) which allowed the Italian Navy to equip itself with armed jets to not only bolster its forces, but mainly to guarantee the security of the Italian Navy and one of its flagships known as the Garibaldi. The Italian Navy was only looking for VTOL/STOL aircraft, so in turn it went for the Harrier, as it fit the role perfectly. Italy was always interested in the Harrier and had even designed a few VTOL/STOL designs of its own, one of the Harrier prototypes was also tested in Italy which likely further pushed the Italian Navy's interest in the platform. This aircraft has been seen being used in multiple countries. Users of the Harrier II include Spain, America and the UK under several different variants. BAE systems had acquired the right to further develop and build the AV-8A that the Americans were already using, so in turn BAE systems had improved it so much such as giving it a better engine. Along other upgrades and changes BAE systems had practically made a new machine which now went under the name of the AV-8B, and also went by the name of "Harrier II". It had access to the latest logistical equipment, and was able to partake in day/night operations.
Due to this, it was the perfect vehicle for the Italian Navy. In September 1990, Italy decided to join the "Plus" program, which aimed to equip the Harriers with radar suites, in which Spain and the US also joined. Italy had bought 18 of the AV-8B, and 2 of the TAV-8B Harrier IIs for training. The Italian government also struck a deal with the United States which allowed Italian Navy pilots to directly train with the Harrier and familiarize themselves with the platform in the US even before they were delivered to Italy. In February 1994, the first Harrier was delivered to the Italian Navy, and by November of that same year, 3 Harriers would call the Garibaldi their new home. Part of the acquisition also allowed Italy to modify their own Harriers (which Alenia would be in charge of). The weapon of choice for the Italian Harriers in terms of air-to-air combat would be the Hughes AIM-120B AMRAAM and the AIM-9L Sidewinder, which at the time were very modern missiles. Italy would also use upgraded variants of those 2 missiles as the years went on. Besides air combat, Italian Navy Harriers were surprisingly well-armed in their air-to-ground configuration, not even the Italian airforce AMX was as heavily armed as the Harrier was during its service. In terms of armament, its main cannon comprised of a GAU-12A 25 mm, something which was already in use with other aircraft of the era. Stand-off capability also included a wide range of laser-guided bombs such as the Paveway series, for anti-tank they had access to the AGM-65 Maverick in 2 different variants. Other optional equipment included unguided rockets and bombs, flare and chaff countermeasures, RWR, and ECM.
Italian Harriers participated in Operation "United Shield" in Somalia, performing multiple recon missions for the American Marines and the Italian "San Marco" regiment. They participated in "Operazione alba neo" in Albania, and had to scramble and intercept multiple jets daily, and in Enduring Freedom where they racked up more than 800 flight hours in combat missions. They also took part with Allied Forces in Kosovo, Operazione Leonte in Lebanon where it was mainly used for monitoring airspace. One of the times it was used as a ground strike aircraft would be in Libya during Operation Unified Protector, and managed to rack up to 1,040 flight hours. Overall, Italian Harriers proved to be a more than useful platform for the Italian Navy, they are soon to be phased out as the Italian Navy begins to put into service their new F-35s.
Media
- Skins
See also
- Related development
External links
Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
- https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Italian-Navy/Aviation/AV-8B-Harrier.htm
- https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/mezzi/forze-aeree/Pagine/av8b.aspx
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| See Also | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
| Italy jet aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Aerfer | Sagittario 2 · Ariete |
| Fiat | G.91 pre-serie · G.91 R/1 · G.91 R/4 (Portugal) · G.91 Y · G.91 YS |
| AMX International | AMX · AMX A-1A (Brazil) |
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| Foreign: | |
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| F-104 | ▄F-104G · F-104S · ▄F-104S TAF (Turkey) · F-104S.ASA |
| F-16 | ▄F-16A ADF |
| AV-8 | ▄AV-8B Plus |
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| Ilyushin | ◔IL-28 |
| Sukhoi | ◔Su-22M3 |
| Saab | ◔JAS39EBS HU C |
