Harriers are no newcomers to combat, having acquitted themselves extremely well in the South Atlantic nearly a decade ago. For the USMC AV-8B Harrier however, the Gulf War was its baptism of fire. In USMC duty the AV-8B is primarily tasked with providing close air support for the Marines on the ground. The aircraft have operated throughout the conflict with a very high rate of availability and performed their missions with a high degree of accuracy. This Night Attack configured Harrier is equipped with Maverick anti armour missiles and low drag 500lb Mk82 bombs in addition to its twin internal 25mm cannons.
Desert Storm Air War Analysis
Desert Storm
Desert Storm, the military operation to retake Kuwait, ushered in the beginnings of the largest military campaign since WW2. Desert Storm also heralds the beginning of a new era in that it truly represents the first en masse use of high technology precision guided weaponry — indeed it is truly the world’s first microchip war. In this special in-depth analysis of the air component of Desert Storm, our technology specialist, Carlo Kopp, examines the diversity of aircraft, their systems, weaponry and tactics used in this leading-edge campaign.
To conquer the command of the air means victory; to be beaten in the air means defeat and acceptance of whatever terms the enemy may be pleased to impose. . . ”
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