Contractor/s:
BAE Systems, EADS, Finmeccanica
Description:
The Tornado is a swing-wing, multi-role aircraft designed to perform air defense, reconnaissance, and attack missions. It flies at low altitude and supersonic speed to penetrate sophisticated air defenses. Tornado aircraft variants feature tandem two-seat cockpit. Panavia is a consortium comprising Germany, United Kingdom and Italy responsible for the development and production of Tornado aircraft. The Tornado was ordered by the Panavia consortium countries plus Saudi Arabia.
The Tornado entered service in 1982. It was first deployed during the Gulf War in 1991. Subsequently Tornado aircraft have been employed over the former Yugoslavia and most recently over Iraq during operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. During these conflicts Tornadoes performed ground attack, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), reconnaissance and air defense missions.
The Tornado Gr4 is the most advanced derivative of proven Tornado IDS. The Royal Air Force (RAF) upgraded 142 Tornado Gr1 to the Gr4 configuration. Gr4 aircraft will be fully compatible with the latest weaponry such as the advanced Brimstone and Storm Shadow missiles. By 2018 all current Tornado Gr4 aircraft will be replaced by the F-35B/C stealth multi-role fighter.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 2
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 27 mm
Dimensions: Height 6 m, Length 17.2 m, Wingspan 13.9 m
Weights: Max Weight 28,500 kg (62,831 lb), Min Weight 14,000 kg (30,864 lb), Payload 9,000 kg (19,841 lb)
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 29,680 lb (13,463 kg)
Performance: Max Range 2,780 km (1,501 nm), Top Speed 731 mps (Mach 2.20)
United Kingdom / 142 