The AV-8B decision

Abstract

This thesis is a case study of the debate over the decision of the United States Government to procure the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Advanced Harrier V/STOL jet aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps. It includes a history of the develop­ment of the AV-8A Harrier, the development of the Marine Corps' concept of employment of V/STOL aircraft, and the development of the AV-8B. The study centers around the ac­tions taken by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Department of the Navy, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the Congress of the United states in the controversy over the AV-8B during the period 1977-1980.That controversy was over the decision to equip the Marine light attack force during the 1980's with either the AV-8B Advanced Harrier or the A-18 Hornet to replace worn-out A-4M Skyhawks and AV-8A Harriers. The thesis follows both sides of the argument over the AV-8B in the context of the PPBS process, the President's budget process, and the Major System Acquisition process.