The McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II is a single-engine ground-attack
aircraft. A successor to the Harrier Jump Jet, it was designed in the
late 1970s at McDonnell Douglas for vertical or short takeoff and
landing. Primarily for light attack or multi-role missions, it is
deployed by the United States Marine Corps, the Spanish Navy, and the
Italian Navy. Development of the AV-8B started in the early 1970s. It
made its maiden flight in 1981 and entered service with the US Marines
in 1985. The UK rejoined the Harrier project as a partner in 1981; since
corporate mergers in the 1990s, Boeing and BAE Systems have jointly
supported the program. Around 340 aircraft, all powered by the Rolls-
Royce Pegasus engine, were produced over 22 years. Typically operated
from small aircraft carriers, large amphibious assault ships or forward
operating bases, AV-8Bs have participated in numerous military and
humanitarian operations. They have proved themselves versatile assets,
although their accident rate during takeoffs and landings has been
relatively high.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_AV-8B_Harrier_II>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1799:
The coup of 18 Brumaire led by Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès and
Napoleon deposed the French government, replacing the Directory with the
Consulate.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coup_of_18_Brumaire>
1867:
Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun of Japan, tendered his
resignation to the Emperor Meiji.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokugawa_Yoshinobu>
1888:
Mary Jane Kelly was murdered in London; she was widely believed
to be the fifth and final victim of the notorious unidentified serial
killer Jack the Ripper.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Jane_Kelly>
1967:
The first issue of Rolling Stone, the American-based magazine
devoted to music, liberal politics and popular culture, was published.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stone>
1985:
At age 22, Garry Kasparov became the youngest-ever undisputed
World Chess Champion by defeating then-champion Anatoly Karpov.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry_Kasparov>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
welfare trap:
(US) A situation where the welfare system keeps people on social
insurance because entering low-paid work does not result into a
significant income increase.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/welfare_trap>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
A central lesson of science is that to understand complex issues
(or even simple ones), we must try to free our minds of dogma and to
guarantee the freedom to publish, to contradict, and to experiment.
Arguments from authority are unacceptable.
--Carl Sagan
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Carl_Sagan>