The Incredible Capabilities Of The Legendary Harrier Jump Jet – SlashGear

After receiving initial deliveries of the improved craft, the Marines didn’t waste any time pressing the Harrier II into service. It’s a seasoned veteran of the first and second Gulf Wars (1990 and 2003), Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and other NATO conflicts. It was particularly instrumental in the first Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, where Harrier II aircraft delivered more than six million pounds of weapons and other supplies to the front lines.

The AV-8B Harrier II received another upgrade in 1992, becoming the AV-8B Harrier II Plus. Besides a more powerful engine, the Plus adopted advanced electronics for improved operation at night and in inclement weather. Production of the aircraft ended in 2003, but Boeing continues to support AV-8B Harriers flown by the United States, Italy, and Spain. By 2029, it will finally be phased out in favor of the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II. In total, more than 340 units were built.

The Harrier II was also involved in an infamous advertising campaign for Pepsi Cola in 1996. Ad executives thought it would be humorous to run a television commercial promising one of the jets to any Pepsi drinker able to collect seven million reward points — a goal presumably unachievable.

However, college student John Leonard found a loophole. Instead of collecting Pepsi cans, the Pepsi Points could be purchased at a cost of 10 cents each, which means that the $23-million jet could be obtained for the bargain price of $700,000. Leonard eventually sued Pepsi for the plane, but the court ruled that the promotion was obviously meant to be a joke. What was not a joke was the avalanche of bad publicity that Pepsi received as a result.