Tornado
IOC: 1982
Total Production: 1,001
Tornado IDS
Production: 793
Also Known As
Tornado Gr1
Origin
Germany
Italy
United Kingdom
Contractor/s
BAE Systems
EADS
Finmeccanica
Family Members
Tornado ADV
Tornado ECR
Tornado Gr4
Air-to-Air Missiles:
AIM-9M Sidewinder (2)
Guided Missiles:
AGM-65A Maverick
AGM-88A HARM (2)
ALARM (6)
Kormoran (2)
Storm Shadow (2)
Taurus KEPD 350 (2)
Bombs:
GBU-10 Paveway II
GBU-12 Paveway II
GBU-16 Paveway II
GBU-24 Paveway III
GBU-27 Paveway III
GBU-54
Power plant:
RB199-34R Mk101 (2)
RB199-34R Mk103 (2)
Sensors & Communications:
BOW-21
Protection Systems:
TSPJ
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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 IDS was designed to carry out surface attack missions ranging from air strikes to anti-ship attack missions. It features two 27mm guns mounted under the forward fuselage. Typically carries two external fuel tanks, 2 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for self-defense, electronic countermeasures and chaff/flare dispensing pods, and the weapons load under the centerline airframe. A laser designator pod can be also provided for delivery of precision guided weapons.
Tornado IDS currently in service with Germany and Italy are being upgraded to remain in service beyond 2020. The upgraded Tornado will feature improved performance and will be able to release the latest weaponry such as the impressive Taurus KEPD 350 and Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
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)
Other: Number of Engines 2
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Notes
(*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)
Last Updated: Friday, October 10, 2008
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Germany / 324 
Italy / 100 
Saudi Arabia / 96 
United Kingdom / 273 