Which aircraft is the Harrier with short takeoff and vertical landing, a single pilot, and 31,000 pounds payload?

• A. F-35 Lightning II
• B. CH-46 Sea Knight
• C. AV-8B Harrier
• D. UAV VMU

Answer: (C)

STOVL capability with a single-pilot fixed-wing attack aircraft is what defines this Harrier. The AV-8B Harrier II is the version used by the US Marines and is designed to take off from short runways or ships and land vertically, thanks to its vectored-thrust engine. It’s configured for a single pilot in the cockpit and is built to carry substantial external stores, which aligns with a large payload figure. Among the options, only the AV-8B Harrier fits the description of a Harrier with short takeoff and vertical landing, flown by a single pilot, capable of carrying a heavy payload. The CH-46 Sea Knight is a helicopter, the UAV VMU is unmanned, and while the F-35 also has STOVL capability in one variant, it is a different aircraft family and not the Harrier.