The AV-8B project was born in the early 1970's as an effort to address the operational inadequacies of the AV-8A first generation Harrier, aimed to dramatically improve the capabilities and performance of the early AV-8A's. The AV-8B made its maiden flight in November 1981 and entered service with the United States Marine Corps in January 1985. It later evolved into the AV-8B N/A (Night Attack) and AV-8B Harrier II Plus.

First flight of a modified AV-8B in the night attack configuration was on June 26th, 1987. Deliveries to the USMC began in September of 1989 to VMA-214 at Yuma, Arizona. Follow-up units based out of Yuma received their Night Attack AV-8Bs by the end of 1992.The AV-8B N/A variant (originally known as the AV-8D) had its first operational development in 1984 and included use of the NAVFLIR (Navigation Forward-Looking Infrared camera, consisting of a GEC-Marconi FLIR system mounted in the nose) for night operations. Additionally, GEC Cat's Eyes night vision goggles were provided to the pilot as well as a revised cockpit with color MFDs, a wider field-of-view HUD display, a color CRT digital moving map, and a complete "heads-down" operation capability. The AV-8B N/A also sports four Tracor ALE-39 countermeasures dispensers along the top of the rear fuselage, in addition to two ALE-39 dispensers along the lower rear of the fuselage. The AV-8B N/A also fields an updated version of the Rolls-Royce Pegasus 11-61 (F402-RR-408) vectored-thrust turbofan engine.

The subject of this study level simulation is the AV-8B N/A Bu No's 163853 and up which are the latest variant of this very capable AV-8B version.

Key Features of DCS: AV-8B N/A VTOL by RAZBAM include:

• Advanced Flight Model that provides realistic performance and flight characteristics of a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft
  
• Highly detailed external 3D model and textures with animations
  
• Highly detailed and accurate 6 DOF cockpit with high resolution textures, specular and bump mapping, and mouse-interactive controls
  
• Highly realistic modelling of the aircraft systems including electrical, fuel, hydraulics, lighting, engine and navigation that includes:
  
• Digital Engine Control System (DECS)
  
• Automatic Fuel System
  
• Air Refueling System
  
• Electrical Power System
  
• External Lighting
  
• Internal Lighting
  
• Hydraulic Power Supply System
  
• Flight Control System (FCS)
  
• Head-Up Display (HUD)
  
• Up-front Control (UFC)
  
• Option Display Unit (ODU)
  
• Multipurpose Color Displays (MPCD)
  
• VREST Computer (for jet-borne flight)
  
• Air Data Computer (ADC)
  
• Environmental Control System (ECS)
  
• On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS)
  
• Realistic weapons, sensor, and defensive systems include:
  
• Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground GAU-12 Equalizer 25 mm (0.984 in) 5-barreled Rotary cannon pod
  
• 6 under-wing pylon stations holding up to 9,200 lb (4,200 kg) of payload which include:
  
• AIM-9 Sidewinder or similar-sized infrared-guided missiles
  
• AGM-65 Maverick Air-to-Surface missiles
  
• Mark 80 series of unguided bombs (including 3 kg [6.6 lb] and 14 kg [31 lb] practice bombs)
  
• Paveway series of Laser-Guided Bombs (LGBs)
  
• Joint Direct Attack Munitions (GBU-38, GBU-32, and GBU-54)
  
• Mark 20 Cluster Bomb Units (CBUs)
  
• AN/AAQ-28V LITENING targeting pod
  
• ALQ-164 ECM Pod
  
• Several skins
  
• Detailed Operational Manual and Pocket guide
  
• Instant Action, Single, and Training Missions
  
• Detailed representation of the USS Tarawa (LHA-1), lead ship of her class.

Further additions coming:

• Moving map
  
• GPS-guided weapons
  
• Fully functional inertial navigation system
  
• Additional targeting pod features
  
• Auto pilot modes