The British Aerospace/McDonnell Douglas Harrier II is a second-generation vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) jet aircraft used previously by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and, between 2006–2010, the Royal Navy. Derived from the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, which was a development of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the BAe Harrier II was produced as the Harrier GR5/GR7/GR9. Both are primarily used for light attack or multi-role tasks, and are often operated from small aircraft carriers. The Harrier II fell victim to a UK defence review which saw all its operational airframes retired from service in December 2010.
