The Hawker Siddeley Harrier is a British jet-powered attack aircraft designed and produced by the British aerospace company Hawker Siddeley. It was the first operational ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft with vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) capabilities and the only truly successful V/STOL design of its era.
Hawker Siddeley Harrier
Hawker Siddeley XV-6A Kestrel in later USAF markings
AV-8C Harrier taking off from an amphibious transport dock ship
An RAF Harrier GR.1, on loan to the USMC, displaying its underside with a full load of bombs
An attack aircraft, strike aircraft, or attack bomber is a tactical military aircraft that has a primary role of carrying out airstrikes with greater precision than bombers, and is prepared to encounter strong low-level air defenses while pressing the attack. This class of aircraft is designed mostly for close air support and naval air-to-surface missions, overlapping the tactical bomber mission. Designs dedicated to non-naval roles are often known as ground-attack aircraft.
A USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft in flight
An A-1 Skyraider of the USAF
RAF Harrier GR9 in flight, 2008
Boeing GA-1, ~1920