AV-8B HARRIER II V/STOL Close-Air-Support Fighter

The AV-8B Harrier II V/STOL Close-Air-Support Fighter program is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) managed by the Department of Defense under the Major Capability Acquisition pathway. The program supports the development, maintenance, and modernization of the AV-8B Harrier II, a vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft primarily used for close air support missions. The program encompasses multiple aspects of aircraft sustainment, including systems engineering, logistics support, and various technical upgrades for radar systems, mission computers, and targeting capabilities.

The contract awards associated with this program typically range from small purchases of under $10,000 to major delivery orders exceeding $5 million, with performance periods generally spanning 12-24 months. Primary contracted services include engineering support, logistics services, operational flight program updates, and hardware procurement for systems such as the LITENING targeting pod and radar components. The majority of contracts are structured as delivery orders with either Cost Plus Fixed Fee or Firm Fixed Price pricing arrangements. Notable contractors include Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, particularly for LITENING pod-related work. The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) appears as the primary contracting agency, with most awards having no set-aside designations. While specific performance locations are not consistently cited in the contract data, the work appears to support both U.S. Marine Corps operations and foreign military sales to partners including Italy and Spain.