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GR4 Tornado, Royal Air Force
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Photography by Action Asia Photo |
Designed and built as a collaborative project in the UK, Germany and Italy, the Tornado GR4 all-weather strike aircraft is the latest version of the RAF's primary attack aircraft. Capable of supersonic speeds at all levels, the twin-seat, twin-engined, variable geometry aircraft is also flown by the air forces of Germany, Italy, the German Navy and is in service with Oman and Saudi Arabia. First deliveries to the RAF of the original GR1 version were made in 1980 when it replaced a number of older RAF aircraft including the Buccaneer and Vulcan as low-level attack aircraft. Deliveries of the GR4 began in late 1997 and the aircraft formally entered service with the RAF in September of 1998. A major feature of the Tornado is its variable geometry "swing wings". With the wings swept fully out (or forward) at only 28 degrees back from a square to the fuselage, the aircraft can fly very slowly - ideal for landing on short, unprepared runways. With the wings swept to their full 68° back (tucked in) the aircraft can fly supersonically; whilst - at the intermediate position - maneuverability is greatly increased (useful should the aircraft need to undertake rapid action during an attack). Another innovative feature of the Tornado is the ability to use reverse thrusters to shorten landings. A program to update many of the Tornado's weapons and navigation systems was completed in 2003 and these updated aircraft are known as Tornado GR4s. As well as the existing weapons carried by Tornados (such as the Paveway family of laser- and GPS-guided bombs and the ALARM anti-radar missile) a number of new weapons can now be used. These include the Storm Shadow stand-off 'cruise' missile and the RAPTOR reconnaissance pod - both of which were used for the first time during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Forthcoming is the Brimstone anti-tank missile. Other improvements include GPS navigation and changes to the cockpit to allow the use of night-vision goggles. A reconnaissance version of the Tornado GR4, the GR4A, is in service with the RAF. RAF GR.4s and GR.4As continue to form part of UK contribution to stability operations in Iraq The aircraft is armed with one Mauser 27mm cannon and up to 18,000lb of ordnance on 6 hardpoints including any of the following: Sidewinder (for defense), Paveway 2 or 3 laser-guided bombs, ballistic or retarded "dumb" 1000lb bombs, Cluster Bomb Units (CBU), Storm Shadow cruise missiles, Brimstone anti-tank missiles, Air Launched Anti-Radiation Missile (ALARM) anti-radar missiles, HARM,. Maverick, Sea Eagle anti-shipping missile, and nuclear freefall bombs. Crew:
Pilot and Weapons Systems Operator
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