Panavia Tornado
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| Panavia Tornado | ||
|---|---|---|
 RAF Panavia Tornado GR.4A ZA401/XIII from 13 Squadron | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Strike/Attack/Air Defence | |
| Crew | 2 | |
| First Flight | 14 August 1974 | |
| Entered Service | 1980 | |
| Number built | 993 (including 9 prototypes, 6 pre-production aircraft and 1 static test airframe) | |
| Manufacturer | Panavia | |
| PA 200 | ||
| Dimensions (Tornado IDS) | ||
| Length | 16.72 m | 54 ft 10 in |
| Wingspan | 13.91 m | 45 ft 6 in |
| Height | 5.95 m | 19 ft 5 in |
| Wing area | 26.6 m² | 286 ft² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 13,890 kg | 31,620 lb |
| Loaded | kg | lb |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 28,000 kg | 61,700 lb |
| Capacity | yourcapacity | |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | two Turbo Union RB199 | |
| Power | kW (each) | hp (each) |
| Thrust | kN (each) | lbf (each) |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | km/h | mph |
| Operational range | km | miles |
| Service ceiling | m | ft |
| Rate of climb | ft/min | m/min |
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | youravio | |
| Armament | ||
| Armament | yourarma | |
Contents |
History
Prelude
During the late 1960s several countries in Europe were looking for a future replacement for their current fleet of fighters. Of these countries Belgium, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands (all flying the F-104G at the time) joined in August 1967 forming the "Multi Role Aircraft for 1975" (MRA-75) programme, shortly afterwards joined by Canada. Like many other projects at that time, they concentrated on a variable geometry (swing-wing) aircraft, which seemed the way to make an aircraft perform well throughout a wider flight envelope.
The United Kingdom and France had already started the "Anglo French Variable Geometry" (AFVG) project in 1965, building on French studies on the subject. But after France pulled out of the project again in 1967, the UK also joined the MRA-75 group during 1968, while France went on on its own on what eventually would become the Mirage 2000. The expertise BAC had gained from the AFVG-project though proved to be very worthwhile in the MRA-75 programme.
On 17 July 1968, only weeks after the UK joined, the first Memorandum of Understanding for the MRA-75 was signed, covering the conceptional phase. From this conceptional phase two configurations were proposed in March 1969, by which time the name had changed to MRCA (Multi Role Combat Aircraft);
- the PA100, a single seat aircraft for Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, as a replacement for the F-104G, in close air support and air superiority variants.
- the PA200, a two seat strike/interdiction variant for Germany and the United Kingdom.
As a result, on 26 March 1969, Panavia GmbH was formed by MBB (now DASA), BAC (now BAE) and Fiat (later Aeritalia and now Alenia), a multinational consortium which was to handle the production of the aircraft, followed by Turbo Union for the production of the engine on 1 June 1969. But during July 1969 the Netherlands withdrew from the programme, as had Belgium and Canada done earlier, leaving only Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
At this point the indicated requirements were for 600 single-seaters (480 for Germany and 120 for Italy) and 505 two-seaters (385 for the RAF and 120 for Germany), but by the time the "Definition Phase" Final Report was generated in April 1970, Germany had adjusted its requirements to 420 of the two seat variant, dropping its requirements for the single seat variant all together. In the process Italy also adjusted its wishes to the two seat variant which effectually mend the cancellation of the single seat variant.
On 22 July 1970 the 5th MoU was signed for nine flying prototypes and one static test airframe, followed in March 1973 by the 6th Memorandum of Understanding which covered six pre-series aircraft. In the mean time the assemblage of the first prototype had started late 1972 and this airframe had its official roll-out on 8 April 1974 at Ingolstadt-Manching in Germany.
Testing
D-9591, the initial prototype (P.01), was first flown from Manching in Germany by British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) chief test pilot Paul Millet.
Versions
Air Defence Variant (ADV)
- Tornado F2: The first ADV version of the RAF. This versions' AI24 Foxhunter radar encountered numerous problems in the beginning. This even led to the first Tornado F2s being delivered with concrete and lead ballast instead of the actual radar
- Tornado F3: The eventual ADV version that was delivered to the RAF, replacing the F-4M Phantom II in the air-defence role.
- Tornado ADV: Designation for the export version of the Tornado F3 of the Royal Saudi Air Force
Twin-stick aircraft, with full mission-capability, are unofficially designated as Tornado F2(T), Tornado F3(T) and Tornado ADV(T).
Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance (ECR)
- Tornado ECR: Operates in the SEAD role. The ECR version is optimised for electronic battle management and reconnaissance. It is equipped with an Emitter Locator System (ELS), an Infrared Imaging System (IIS), Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) and the Operational Data Interface (ODIN). The AGM-88 HARM High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile is used to combat radar installations.
Interdictor/Strike (IDS)
- Tornado GR1: The standard IDS version of the RAF
- Tornado GR1A: The recconaissance version of the RAF. Sixteen GR1s were modified to GR1A and fourteen new-built GR1As have been built. The two 27mm guns have been removed to make room for the recce equipment. The foundation for this system is the TIRSS
- Tornado GR1B: As a replacement for the Blackburn Buccaneer at total of 26 GR1s were modified to the GR1B version. The GR1B was capable of carrying the Sea Eagle. The GR1B-designation was abandoned in 2001 since all GR4s are capable of carrying this missile
- Tornado GR4: All RAF Tornado GR1s that underwent their Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) were designated GR4 afterwards. The upgrade comprised installment of a Global Positioning System (GPS), a new variant of the Heads Up Display (HUD) and a Laser Inertial Navigation System (LIRS)/Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS)
- Tornado GR4A: Designation for a modified GR1A where the TIRSS has been replaced by new recce systems ; The Thales DJRP -Digital Joint Recconaissance pod (also carried on Harrier) and RAPTOR (Recconaissance Airborne Pod TORnado) both are external recce pods.
- Tornado IDS: Designation used for the standard German and Italian Air Force aircaft and for the export version of the Tornado GR1 of the Royal Saudi Air Force
Twin-stick aircraft, with full mission-capability, are unofficially designated as Tornado GR1(T), Tornado GR4(T) and Tornado IDS(T).
Operators
- Royal Air Force: Tornado F3 and GR4/GR4A.
- German Air Force: Tornado ECR and IDS.
- Italian Air Force: Tornado ECR and IDS. The Italian Air Force operated the Tornado F3 for a short while (1995/2004) using aircraft on lease from the RAF.
- Royal Saudi Air Force: Tornado ADV and IDS.
Images
 German Air Force Tornado ECR before take-off on one of its first flights |
 A Royal Saudi Air Force Tornado IDS |
More information
External links
- Tornado data
- Panavia Tornado - Wikipedia NL
- Panavia Tornado - Wikipedia D
- Panavia Tornado - Wikipedia GB
- Panavia Tornado - Wikipedia I
Sources
- Modern Fighting Aircraft - Tornado by Doug Richardson (ISBN 0861012011)
- Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1970-71 (ISBN 354000675)
