Panavia Tornado
The Panavia Tornado is a European twin-engine variable-sweep-wing combat aircraft developed jointly by the United Kingdom, West Germany and Italy. It was produced in strike, air-defence and electronic-combat forms.[1]
Development
The three partner nations formed Panavia Aircraft GmbH to develop a common multirole combat aircraft, with major work shared among British Aircraft Corporation, MBB and Aeritalia. The first prototype flew in 1974 and deliveries began near the end of the decade.
The interdictor/strike Tornado IDS became the main production version. Britain developed the longer-nosed Tornado ADV interceptor, while Germany and Italy introduced the Tornado ECR for suppression of enemy air defences.[1]
Design
Tornado’s variable-sweep wing can be extended for take-off and low-speed handling or swept back for high-speed flight. Terrain-following radar allowed the strike versions to fly at high speed and very low altitude in poor weather.
Pilot and navigator sit in tandem. The compact RB199 engines, robust undercarriage and sophisticated navigation and attack system were designed for dispersed European operations and deep penetration missions.
Operational history
British, Italian and Saudi Tornados flew combat missions during the 1991 Gulf War. The type later operated over the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen. German and Italian ECR aircraft specialised in locating and attacking hostile radars.
The Royal Air Force retired Tornado in 2019, but Germany, Italy and Saudi Arabia have continued operating the aircraft while planning or introducing replacements.
Variants and operators
The aircraft family includes Tornado IDS; Tornado ECR; Tornado ADV. Equipment, weapons and mission systems differ among production blocks and national fleets.
Principal or notable users include German Air Force; Italian Air Force; Royal Saudi Air Force; historical Royal Air Force. Some operators have retired early versions while others continue upgrades or new procurement.[1]
Specifications
Published performance figures depend on configuration, fuel, altitude and mission profile. Representative figures for the family include a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 and a range of Approximately 3,148 km ferry range. The usual crew is 2, and power is provided by 2 × Turbo-Union RB199 afterburning turbofans.[1]