In fact, the entire VTOL system of the Hydra is still based on the AV-8B Harrier II, rather than the F-35B's Lift Fan System, two steering nozzles and rotatable 'Lobster Back' exhaust for its main engine. The Hydra's air intakes are from the AV-8B, as well as the side air holes and the four rotatable exhaust nozzles. The Hydra's cockpit resembles the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, especially the integrated control panel below the HUD, which is directly taken from that of the F-16. The B variant is utilized by the US Marines and is the STOVL (Short-take off and Vertical Landing) / VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) version. Like the GTA: San Andreas rendition, the jet is based largely on the British Aerospace Harrier II however, the nose, vertical fins, and horizontal stabilizers resemble those of the F-35 Lightning II. The Hydra is included in GTA Online as part of the Heists Update. The built-in machine gun of the Harrier, however, does not appear instead, the machine gun is featured on another vehicle, the Hunter.

The Hydra features the Harrier's VTOL system, as well as its weaponry, including missiles and countermeasures. The Harrier's influence is further proven by the cheat code that is used to spawn the jet in the PC version: 'Jumpjet', which is a nickname for Harrier jets. It is suggestively based on the British Aerospace Harrier II (formerly known as the Hawker Siddley Harrier) a well-known British fighter jet with Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capabilities, with minor detailing from the F-16 Fighting Falcon, such as the cockpit and air intake. The Hydra is a jet-powered military aircraft, bearing roundels of the United States Air Force on its wings.

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