Panavia Tornado GR1

1981 to 1999

Designed and built as a collaborative project in the UK, Germany and Italy, the Tornado programme was initiated in 1968 and known as Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). A new tri-national company, Panavia, was set up in Germany to build the aircraft.

The first prototype flew on 14 August 1974 and initial orders from the three partner countries totalled 640 aircraft, with the work share divided in relation to the number of aircraft ordered; UK and Germany 42.5% each and Italy 15%. The initial RAF requirement was for 220 aircraft, and the first of these was delivered to the new Tri-national Tornado Training Establishment (TTTE) at RAF Cottesmore in July 1980.

The aircraft has variable geometry wings and is powered by two Turbo-Union RB199-34R turbofans, with a maximum speed of 1452 mph and a service ceiling of 50000 feet.

The first of 229 Tornado GR.1 strike aircraft was delivered to the Royal Air Force in 1981 and the first squadron equipped with the aircraft became operational in 1982. The GR.1 is capable of carrying a wide range of armaments, including conventional and anti-airfield bombs, laser-guided bombs, air-to-ground rockets and anti-radar missiles. During the 1991 Gulf War, the Tornado GR.1 force flew 1500 operational sorties mainly against airfields, air defence sites and bridges. Six aircraft were lost in low-level missions.

Technical Specs

Wingspan: 13.91 m (45 ft 8 in) at 25° sweep

Length: 16.72 m (54 ft 10 in)

Height: 5.95 m (19 ft 6 in)

Empty Weight: 3,890 kg (30,622 lb)

Max Take Off Weight: 20,240 kg (44,622 lb)

Performance

Engine(s): 2 × Turbo-Union RB199-34R Mk 103 afterburning 3-spool turbofan

Rate of Climb: 76.7 m/s (15,100 ft/min)

Service Ceiling: 15,240 m (50,000 ft)

Range: 1,390 km (860 mi, 750 nmi)

Max Speed: 2,400 km/h (1,500 mph)

Role

The role of this aircraft was air-to-air combat,intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance,air to ground

The Tornado has been the mainstay of the RAF strike/attack force since June 1982.

The world’s first operational Tornado squadron was IX Squadron, based at Honington in Suffolk, from June 1982.

Designed from the outset as a low-level supersonic aircraft, Tornado is capable of carrying a wide range of conventional stores, including the MBDA Storm Shadow long-range stand-off missile, MBDA Brimstone anti-armour missile system, Air-Launched Anti-Radar Missile (ALARM), Paveway II, III and IV laser-guided bombs (LGBs).

For self-defence, the Tornado carries Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and is fitted with twin internal 27mm cannons.

During the 1991 Gulf War, 5 Tornados were modified to carry the new Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designator (TIALD) pod.

Modifications to a number of aircraft were carried out to produce the GR1B variant optimised for maritime strike missions with the Sea Eagle anti-shipping missile and in 1993-94, Nos. 12, 14 and 617 Squadrons relocated to Lossiemouth to replace the Buccaneers in this role.

Tornado was upgraded to GR4 status in 1999 and this made it even more capable.

Armaments & Stores

Below are the details of the armaments and stores that could be carried by the Panavia Tornado GR1. The Panavia Tornado GR1 had 3 × under-fuselage and 4 × under-wing pylon stations hard points which stores could be attached.

Gun(s)

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1 × 27 mm (1.06 in) Mauser BK-27 revolver cannon internally mounted under starboard side of fuselage with 180 rounds

Bombs

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BL755 cluster bombs

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Up to 2 × JP233 or MW-1

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Up to 4 × B61 or WE.177

Missiles.

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2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder (AIM-9B / AIM-9G / AIM-9L)

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9 × ALARM anti-radiation missile

External Stores

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2 x 2250Ltr Fuel Tank

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3 x 1500 Ltr fuel tank

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TIALD Pod

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Boz 107

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Skyshadow 2

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Vicon Pod

Operations

Below are listed the Operations that the Panavia Tornado GR1 took part in during its Service life.

Op Granby

Iraq and Kuwait

Aug 1990 to 28 Feb 1991

Index: 0
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31 Sqn Aircraft