The AV-8B Night Attack is a multirole attack aircraft with short takeoff and vertical landing (V/STOL) capabilities, designed to perform various combat missions, including close air support, strike operations, and precision weapon engagement. Key enhancements include the installation of the NAVFLIR navigation and targeting system in the aircraft’s nose, allowing pilots to identify targets at night. The upgraded avionics also feature color multifunction displays (MFDs) integrated with weapon control and navigation systems.

The standard armament for the AV-8B Night Attack is a 25mm GAU-12/U cannon with a 300 round ammunition capacity, and for air combat, four AIM-9L air-to-air missiles. To strike ground targets, this aircraft can carry up to 16 Mk.82 500 lb bombs and 6 Mk.84 2000 lb bombs, plus up to 16 Mk.81 250 lb bombs and 16 Mk.82 Snakeye 500 lb bombs. For precision ground strikes, the AV-8B can be equipped with up to 10 GBU-12 or up to four GBU-16 guided bombs, both using the LITENING II targeting pod, as well as up to 10 GBU-38 guided bombs. For air-to-ground missile capability, this aircraft includes four AGM-65G and four AGM-65E2. Additionally, this aircraft can carry up to 190 FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets and 40 Zuni Mk32 rockets, plus 10 Mk.77 incendiary bombs. For defense against air-to-air missile threats, this aircraft is equipped with 180 flare and chaff countermeasures.