VX-31 Retires AV-8B Harrier II After 38 Years of STOVL Operations

After nearly four decades of service as a Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) workhorse in U.S. naval aviation, the AV-8B Harrier II has officially retired from test operations at VX-31 “Dust Devils,” the U.S. Navy’s premier developmental flight test squadron at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. The departure marks a symbolic end to an era shaped by the unique capabilities of the Harrier platform and signals a generational shift toward fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35B Lightning II.

VX-31’s Role in Naval Flight Testing

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 (VX-31), known as the “Dust Devils,” is part of Naval Test Wing Pacific under the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD). Based at China Lake, California, VX-31 is responsible for developmental flight testing across a wide range of fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms for both Navy and Marine Corps aviation programs.

The squadron operates in one of the most demanding environments for weapons testing in North America. Its mission includes evaluation of aircraft performance, weapons integration trials, avionics systems development, and survivability testing under operationally realistic conditions.

Over its tenure with VX-31, the AV-8B was used extensively to validate software updates, integrate new weapons such as precision-guided munitions (PGMs), and assess flight envelope modifications. The aircraft also supported safety-of-flight certifications critical to fleet-wide implementation.

The Legacy of the AV-8B Harrier II

The AV-8B Harrier II is a second-generation vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) in collaboration with British Aerospace (now BAE Systems). Entering service with the U.S. Marine Corps in 1985, it was designed to provide close air support from austere forward bases or amphibious assault ships without requiring full-length runways.

Key features included:

Rolls-Royce Pegasus turbofan engine enabling vectored thrust
Night attack capability with FLIR sensors
Digital cockpit upgrades over time including moving map displays
Weapons compatibility with JDAMs, AGM-65 Maverick missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinders

The AV-8B proved itself in numerous conflicts including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and missions over Afghanistan. Its ability to operate from expeditionary airfields or amphibious assault ships made it indispensable to Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) operations for decades.

Why Now? Sunset Driven by F-35 Transition

The retirement of the Harrier from VX squadrons like VX-31 aligns with broader force structure changes driven by F-35B Lightning II integration into USMC aviation. The F-35B offers stealth characteristics, sensor fusion capabilities via its AN/APG-81 AESA radar and Distributed Aperture System (DAS), and superior situational awareness through helmet-mounted displays—capabilities far beyond what legacy platforms like the Harrier can deliver.

The U.S. Marine Corps plans to fully divest its remaining active-duty AV-8Bs by Fiscal Year 2029 according to FY2024 budget documents. As of late 2023 reports from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), over half of active squadrons had already transitioned or begun transition training toward F-35Bs operated under Marine Aircraft Groups (MAGs).

From a test perspective at VX commands like VX-23 (“Salty Dogs”) on the East Coast or VX-9 (“Vampires”), legacy aircraft are being phased out in favor of supporting next-gen platforms including MQ-series UAVs and manned-unmanned teaming architectures under Project Convergence-like initiatives.

A Ceremonial Send-Off at China Lake

The final flight ceremony for VX‑31’s last operational AV‑8B took place on September 27th at NAWS China Lake. Piloted by Lt. Col. James “JB” Birchfield—a long-time developmental test pilot—the event marked not only an airframe retirement but also celebrated decades of engineering innovation that kept this unique platform relevant well into its fourth decade.

A formation flyby featured both fixed-wing assets still operated by VX‑31—including FA‑18 Hornets—and showcased cross-generational continuity within naval aviation testing units. Attendees included former pilots who had flown early-model YAV‑8Bs during initial trials as well as current engineers involved in Joint Strike Fighter integration efforts.

What Comes Next for Test Squadrons?

With legacy platforms sunsetting across multiple services—including A‑10C Thunderbolt IIs in USAF inventory—test squadrons are pivoting toward validating next-gen capabilities such as:

MUM-T protocols between F‑35s and MQ‑25 Stingray tankers
Spectrum warfare resilience testing using NGJ-MBs on Growlers
Cognitive EW suites integrated into manned/unmanned ISR nodes
Synthetic training environments leveraging LVC (Live-Virtual Constructive) frameworks

This evolution reflects not just technological change but doctrinal shifts toward distributed maritime operations (DMO), expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO), and Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2). Platforms like F‑35Bs will be central not only to strike roles but also as airborne C4ISR nodes within these emerging concepts.

A Final Note on Sustainment Challenges

The decision to retire remaining Harriers was not solely based on capability gaps but also sustainment realities. According to FY2023 GAO reports on aging tactical aviation fleets, spare parts availability for Pegasus engines had become increasingly problematic due to diminishing manufacturing sources (DMS) issues affecting Rolls-Royce support chains.

Boeing’s AV‑8 Integrated Maintenance Program had extended life through Service Life Extension Programs (SLEPs), but depot-level maintenance costs continued rising even as sortie rates declined across MAGTF units still operating them.

Conclusion: End of an Era—And Beginning of Another

The farewell ceremony at China Lake closes a significant chapter not only for VX‑31 but also for U.S. naval aviation history writ large. The AV‑8B Harrier II represented an era when vertical lift met tactical strike power—an engineering marvel that held its own across four decades thanks to continuous upgrades and dedicated maintainers.

As fifth-generation systems take center stage—from stealth fighters to autonomous ISR drones—the lessons learned through platforms like the Harrier remain embedded within today’s test protocols and tomorrow’s doctrine evolution paths.