By Mike Barton
Public Affairs Specialist

Harrier pilots in the fleet have begun to see an even meaner aircraft with the delivery of the first of a newly upgraded version of the TAV-8B by depot artisans recently.

Naval Air Depot Cherry Point reached a new milestone with the delivery of an upgraded TAV-8B, the two-seated training model of the aircraft, to Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 in late August. It was the first aircraft to be delivered to the fleet with the newest modifications.

The upgrades included the long-awaited OC1.2 software, nicknamed “OSCAR,” that provides the aircraft with the capability to drop joint direct attack munitions – such as 500- and 1,000-pound bombs that are precisely guided by global positioning system equipment (the same stuff shown so frequently on television during the Gulf War). The OSCAR software also allows pilots to conduct joint communication with other friendly aircrews on secure frequencies. As a part of the T-upgrade program, Cherry Point artisans also upgraded the aircraft’s nosewheel steering system to work with the new software.

According to Maj. Steve Hagerty, the AV-8B program officer, the OSCAR software was originally scheduled to be introduced to the fleet’s active attack squadrons – “gun squadrons” to the Marines. “However, the OSCAR program was delayed and it fell upon our TAV-8B Upgrade Program to introduce it to the fleet,” said Hagerty. “The first aircraft was delivered to (the training squadron) before the gun squadrons even had a chance to see it.”

Jeff Jaskolka, an industrial specialist here and managing liaison with PMA-257 at Patuxent River, Md., pointed out that the original upgrade program for the trainers was designed to bring the TAV-8Bs in line with the combat models used by the fleet. “Until we began working on them, the trainers had never been upgraded to keep up with the newer models that hit the fleet,” said Jaskolka. Those original upgrades included all new wiring, enhanced night vision capabilities and the new F408 engine, which gives the aircraft improved hover capability and better performance.

That program has expanded to include the OSCAR upgrades. The newly upgraded aircraft that was delivered in August is, in some ways, more advanced than any other Harrier in the Marine Corps inventory.

From here on out, said Hagerty, the depot will incorporate the OSCAR upgrade in all “T” models. The depot is scheduled to deliver 15 upgraded trainers to the Marines by the middle of fiscal year 2006. Upgrades to combat models of the aircraft are also scheduled, starting with three this fiscal year. These upgrades are slated to be done in the field, with the eventual upgrade of the entire Harrier fleet.

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Cutline: Airframes Worker Sonya Hollister checks hydraulic line fittings in the nosewheel well of a Harrier prior to a leak check of the system. Hollister is a member of the TAV-8B upgrade team that recently delivered the newest upgraded Harrier trainer to the fleet. (Photo by Mike Barton)