Hawker Siddeley TAV-8A Harrier

Hawker Siddeley · United Kingdom · first flew 1975 · fighter

The TAV-8A is a two-seat operational trainer variant of the AV-8A Harrier operated by the U.S. Marine Corps, featuring a lengthened fuselage with tandem cockpits.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, swept
E — Engines	1 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	Vectored-thrust VSTOL — four rotating nozzles under fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Two-seat trainer version of AV-8A Harrier for USMC
Lengthened tandem cockpit with dual raised canopies
Vectored-thrust VSTOL — four rotating nozzles under fuselage

Distinct from the single-seat AV-8A by its noticeably longer fuselage and raised second cockpit behind the front seat; otherwise shares the same cropped-delta wings and four-nozzle Pegasus installation.

Specifications

The Hawker Siddeley TAV-8A Harrier has a length of 13.87 m (46 ft).
It has a wingspan of 7.7 m (25 ft).
Its maximum speed is 1083 km/h (673 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Hawker Siddeley developed the TAV-8A to allow the USMC to train pilots in the unique techniques of vectored-thrust VSTOL flight; eight were delivered between 1975 and 1976. The type retained full operational capability alongside the training role.

Variants

The TAV-8A was the two-seat equivalent of the single-seat AV-8A; it was followed by the TAV-8B based on the second-generation Harrier II airframe.

Where you'll see it

Operated exclusively by the USMC; not operated by the RAF or Royal Navy, though the RAF flew the equivalent two-seat Harrier T.4.

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