AV-8B Harrier Jump Jet

The McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier jump jet is a subsonic, fixed-wing Marine airplane that can take off and land vertically because of movable nozzles that can send its thrust downward instead of rearward. A light-attack plane, the Harrier can operate from Marine amphibious ships, Navy carriers, or austere Marine bases close to the enemy. It packs a GAU-12 cannon and can carry a variety of other munitions, as well as external fuel tanks, under its wings and belly. (McDonnell Douglas has been gobbled up by Boeing.)

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