tornado family twin engine variable sweep wing combat aircraft jointly developed manufactured italy united_kingdom west_germany primary tornado variants tornado strike fighter bomber suppression enemy air defences tornado electronic combat reconnaissance tornado air defence variant aircraft tornado developed built tri national consortium consisting previously west_germany flew august introduced service nature able replace different fleets aircraft adopting air forces export operator tornado addition original partner nations tri nation training evaluation unit operating maintained level international operation production stage tornado royal_air_force raf gulf war tornado conducted low altitude penetrating strike missions operators conflicts yugoslavia war war iraq war libya civil war smaller roles afghanistan syria including variants aircraft built development origins 1960s designers looked variable geometry wing designs gain efficient cruise straight wings speed swept wing designs united_kingdom cancelled subsequent aircraft looking replacement vulcan strike aircraft britain france initiated project ended french withdrawal britain continued develop variable geometry aircraft similar proposed sought new partners achieve west_germany netherlands belgium italy canada formed working group examine replacements lockheed initially called later renamed participating nations fleets required replacing requirements diverse decided develop single aircraft perform variety missions previously undertaken fleet different aircraft britain joined group represented air vice marshal memorandum agreement drafted britain west_germany italy end prospective purchases countries amounted aircraft canada belgium departed long term commitments programme canada found project politically perception political circles manufacturing specifications focused western_europe france favourable offer belgium created doubt worthwhile belgium operational perspective aircraft march partner nations united_kingdom germany italy netherlands agreed form multinational company aircraft develop manufacture project aim produce aircraft capable undertaking missions tactical strike reconnaissance air defence maritime roles allowing replace different aircraft use partner nations concepts including alternative fixed wing single engine designs studied defining aircraft netherlands pulled project citing aircraft complicated technical preferences sought simpler aircraft outstanding additional blow struck german requirement reduced initial aircraft agreement finalised united_kingdom west_germany stake workload remaining going italy division production work heavily influenced international political fuselage tail assembly assigned united_kingdom centre fuselage west_germany wings italy similarly tri national engines general equipment separate multinational company formed june develop build engines aircraft ownership similarly split conclusion project definition phase concepts reduced designs single seat west_germany initially preferred twin seat raf preferred tornado aircraft briefly called project soon seat option september governments signed document point aircraft intended solely low level strike mission viewed viable threat soviet defences role point britain chief defence staff announced thirds fighting line composed single basic aircraft type prototypes testing dozen tornado prototypes took flight august germany pilot stated occasion aircraft handling delightful actual flight went smoothly begin wonder simulation flight testing led need minor modifications disturbances responded engine fuselage experienced speeds testing revealed nose wheel steering system connecting necessary counteract effect produced deploying thrust landing august soviet espionage activities exposed trying obtain information aircraft prototypes lost accidents primarily caused poor decisions errors leading ground collision incidents tornado prototype seriously damaged incident involving pilot induced pitch type development aircraft designers era beginning incorporate features sophisticated stability systems aircraft tornado use new technologies failure testing tornado command stability system conducted series realistic flight control variable sweep wings combination varying frequently heavy complicated clearance process production contract batch aircraft signed july aircraft delivered raf june respectively italian tornado delivered september january tri national tornado training establishment officially opened remaining active training pilots operating nations march tornado produced delivered west_germany december export customers sought west_germany withdrew objections aircraft saudi_arabia export customer tornado agreement purchase tornado controversial arms deal government committed purchasing equipment operate total value million late 1980s cancelled order financial difficulties 1970s australia considered joining programme find replacement ultimately selected meet requirement canada similarly opted considering tornado japan considered tornado 1980s selecting domestically produced design based 1990s taiwan south_korea expressed interest acquiring small number aircraft proposed variant greater electronic warfare capability australia production came end batch aircraft produced going ordered total june announced raf tornado fleet flown collectively million flying hours aviation author noted produced short making successful postwar bomber programs said tornado quarter century important military aircraft western_europe design overview tornado twin engined aircraft designed low level penetration enemy defences mission envisaged cold war delivery conventional nuclear ordnance invading forces warsaw pact countries eastern_europe dictated significant features design variable wing geometry allowing minimal drag critical low level dash prepared enemy desired project start advanced navigation flight computers including innovative fly wire system greatly reduced workload pilot low level flight eased control aircraft long range bombing missions tornado retractable probe aircraft tornado capable undertaking mission profiles anticipated strike mission operators replaced multiple aircraft types tornado common type use dedicated single role aircraft specialist purposes battlefield reconnaissance maritime patrol duties dedicated electronic phased standard modified variants extensive modification base tornado design tornado stretched armed long range anti aircraft missiles serve role tornado operators chosen undertake life extension upgrade programmes tornado fleets viable aircraft future raf upgraded standard increase combat effectiveness undergoing periodic upgrades multi stage system software tornado programme upgrades projected tornado shall service years prototype took flight variable sweep wing order tornado perform low level strike aircraft considered necessary possess good high speed low speed flight characteristics achieve high speed performance swept delta wing typically adopted wing designs inefficient low speeds operate high low speeds great effectiveness tornado uses variable sweep wing approach adopted earlier aircraft strike fighter soviet fighter similarities smaller tornado tornado differs multi role aircraft advanced onboard systems level wing sweep angle wings relation fuselage altered flight pilot control variable wing adopt sweep angle degrees degrees corresponding speed range angle tornado outfitted automatic wing sweep system reduce pilot workload wings swept exposed wing area lowered drag significantly decreased performing high speed low level flight weapons pivot angle variable sweep wings stores point direction flight hinder wing positions development significant attention given tornado short field landing performance germany particular encouraged design aspect shorter landing distances tornado sweep wings forwards degree position deploy span flaps leading edge allow aircraft fly slower speeds features combination thrust equipped engines tornado excellent low speed handling landing characteristics tornado features tandem seat cockpit pilot navigator weapons officer electro optical controls fly aircraft manage systems array switches mounted centrally placed monitor controlling navigational communications weapons control computers developed tornado advanced radar display information system tardis multi function display replace rear cockpit raf began installing tardis fleet primary flight controls tornado fly wire hybrid consisting command connected digital director system addition level mechanical capacity retained safeguard potential failure enhance pilot awareness artificial feel built flight controls centrally located stick tornado variable wings enabling aircraft drastically alter flight envelope artificial responses adjust automatically wing profile changes changes flight attitude large variety munitions stores outfitted resulting changes aircraft flight dynamics routinely compensated flight stability system tornado incorporates combined navigation attack radar simultaneously targets conducts fully automated terrain following low level flight operations readily able conduct weather hands low level flight considered core advantages tornado tornado different radar system variants designated designed air defence operations capable continuously keeping track targets ranges kilometres tornado earliest aircraft fitted digital data bus data transmission link integration variant enabled exchange radar sensory information nearby friendly aircraft tornado variants carry different equipment depending mission devoted missions operated germany italy tornado equipped system spot radar use german infrared imaging system reconnaissance flights raf laser range marked target targeting laser guided munitions raf introduced allowing tornado laser designate targets equipped tornado infrared reconnaissance system consisting sideways looking red fuselage forward engine capture oblique images single mounted fuselage underside provide vertical images recorded images vhs video tapes newer reconnaissance pod replaced built system armament equipment tornado cleared carry majority air launched weapons nato inventory including laser guided bombs anti ship anti radiation missiles specialised weapons anti personnel mines anti runway munitions improve combat tornado equipped onboard ranging electronic pods mounted wings fuel tanks buddy store aerial system allows tornado refuel available extend aircraft range decades tornado introduction tornado operators undertaken upgrade modification programmes allow recently introduced weapons squadrons new armaments tornado adapted deploy enhanced joint direct attack bombs modern cruise missiles missiles upgrades increased tornado capabilities combat accuracy precision weapons cruise missiles replaced older munitions cluster bombs strike variants limited air air capability air air missiles additionally tornado outfitted visual range missiles tornado armed revolver cannon internally mounted underneath fuselage tornado armed cannon raf aircraft converted replaced left hand cannon leaving reconnaissance variant gave guns space sideways looking red sensors developed specifically tornado european fighters alpha jet tornado capable delivering air launched nuclear weapons britain considered replacing submarines submarines alternatively tornado main bearer nuclear proceeded tornado squadrons based germany assigned deter major soviet offensive conventional nuclear weapons nuclear bomb retired german italian capable delivering nuclear bombs available nato engine britain considered selection develop advanced engine essential strongly opposed adopting engine american manufacturer point withdrawn issue september engine selected power advantage competition technology transfer partner nations agreed engine developed manufactured joint company programme delayed entry nature multinational collaboration process helped avoid major disruption tornado programme research contributed development final design engine control units provide desired performance features operate efficiently wide range conditions speeds engines use variable intake ramps control air flow hydraulic system power operational engine completely contained airframe integrating engine improve safety case double engine double generator failure tornado single use battery capable operating fuel pump minutes relatively rare fighter aircraft fitted thrust decrease distance required safely land fully deploy thrust landings connected steering provide greater stability august powered flight prototype tornado occurred engine completed qualification tests late final production standard engine met reliability performance standards development cost higher predicted ambitious performance requirements time tornado introduction service turbine blades engine suffered shorter life span desired implementation design revisions early production engines engines developed majority tornado germany tornado current engine control unit engines known cue upgrades designed low level operations tornado required modification perform medium level operations raf adopted 1990s raf fleet extensively manufactured tornado upgrades tornado included forward looking infrared wide angle head display improved cockpit displays night vision devices capabilities new global positioning system receiver upgrade eased integration new weapons sensors purchased parallel including storm shadow cruise missile anti tank missile laser guided bombs reconnaissance pod integrated flight tornado april october raf accepted delivery deliveries completed opted tornado undergo series upgrades equivalent raf configuration december signed contract project raf improved phases starting integration bomb communications upgrade followed new tactical german received system software tornado upgrade involved replacement weapons computer new gps navigation systems new computer allowed integration harm missiles pod laser guided bombs upgrade began primarily consisting new digital systems new suite provision cruise missile upgrades applied tornado process replaced upgrade programme started introduce support laser targeted software changes test platform printed parts announced december company test flown tornado equipped parts printing equipment parts included protective cover radio landing gear guard air intake door support test demonstrated feasibility making replacement parts quickly air base hosting tornado company claims parts costing piece manufacture printing resulted savings offer potential cost savings million operational history luftwaffe tornado prototype flight august west_germany deliveries production began july total number delivered numbered including variants originally equipped fighter bomber wings tactical conversion unit line wings replacing lockheed tornado wings german_navy disbanded aircraft equip luftwaffe reconnaissance wing equipped german undertook combat operations nato campaign war combat operation luftwaffe world war operating italy flew reconnaissance missions survey damage inflicted previous strikes scout targets aircraft strike reconnaissance missions reportedly responsible significant improvement target selection campaign german italian participated nato military operation war aircraft escort allies aircraft carrying harm missiles counter attempted use radar allied aircraft hostilities germany routinely conduct reconnaissance flights identify enemy ground forces civilian refugees yugoslavia june pair fly reconnaissance flights anti demonstration 33rd summit following mission admitted aircraft broken minimum flying altitude mistakes handling security summit detachment 51st reconnaissance wing deployed support nato forces decision send afghanistan controversial decision including political party launching unsuccessful legal bid block deployment unconstitutional support afghanistan mission improvements tornado reconnaissance equipment accelerated improving tornado ability detect hidden improvised explosive devices withdrawn afghanistan november defence cuts announced march resulted decision retire luftwaffe service led reduction tornado strength wings september january german defence minister announced major changes german armed forces major announcement plan cut german fighter fleet early force reduced type expected remain service luftwaffe aircraft retained undergoing service life extension programme currently luftwaffe operates training takes place der luftwaffe based new_mexico german_navy addition order luftwaffe german_navy received variant anti shipping marine reconnaissance roles replacing equipped wings nominal strength aircraft principal anti ship weapon anti ship missile initially supplemented bombs cluster munitions later harm anti radar missiles pods fitted optical cameras infrared line scan carried reconnaissance mission end cold war signing treaty gave rise requirement germany reduce size armed forces including number combat aircraft meet need tornado wings disbanded january aircraft replaced reconnaissance wing second wing enlarged continued anti shipping reconnaissance anti radar roles disbanded aircraft duties passed luftwaffe italian prototype maiden flight december italy received total tornado subsequently converted configuration italian tornado delivered february stop gap measure years additionally operated tornado air defence role leased raf cover service gap retirement lockheed introduction major delays began search interim fighter tornado considered long term extension lease involved upgrade raf standard considered cost effective february italy announced arrangement lease united_states returned tornado raf final aircraft arriving raf saint december aircraft retained static display purposes took gulf war saw tornado deployed del italy italy contribution coalition conflict aircraft lost iraqi anti aircraft fire pilots ejected safely captured iraqi forces total italian deployed nato organised variant bombing role variants patrolled combat region acting suppress enemy anti aircraft radars firing harm missiles response anticipated violence afghanistan elections italy nations increased military commitment afghanistan region aircraft participated enforcement fly zone military intervention libya coalition aircraft operated bases italy including italian military aircraft delivered combined guided bombs missiles strikes targets fighter bombers released guided bombs missiles italian navy delivered guided bombs italian launched storm shadow cruise missiles rest consisting guided bombs july italy signed contract upgrading received upgrade introduced improved navigation systems integrated gps laser ins ability carry new weapons including storm shadow cruise missile laser guided bombs italy opted extend tornado service life expense alternative ground attack aircraft major upgrade life extension program initiated provide new digital displays link communications capability night vision compatibility upgrades long term planned replace tornado fleet italian service lockheed martin lightning final italian tornado scheduled phased november italy announced sending tornado aircraft support staff kuwait participation coalition operations islamic state aircraft reconnaissance missions royal_air_force nicknamed british tornado combat debut british contribution gulf war saw nearly raf deploy air bases saudi_arabia tornado deployed provide air cover threat long range missiles significant iraqi pilots deliberately avoid combat approached early conflict targeted military airfields iraq deploying mixture bombs bombing attacks specialised runway denial weapons raf lost conflict lost delivering bombs lost delivering trying deliver laser guided bombs january tornado lost shot iraqi missile following failed low level bombing run january raf tornado shot intensive raid air base impact tornado strikes iraqi air fields difficult determine emergency deployment sent detachment aircraft equipped laser allowing drop precision guided weapons crash programme support sudden military action saw multiple outfitted laser designation system author declared pod enabled achieve probably accurate bombing raf history laser designation proved effective gulf war pods purchased shortages hindered combat operations following initial phase war switched medium level strike missions typical targets strikes included depots oil facilities reconnaissance tornado continued operate low altitude high speed profile war emerged unscathed despite inherent danger posed missions conducting pre attack reconnaissance war aftermath britain maintained military presence gulf half dozen based kuwait operations southern fly zone half dozen participated missions operation provide comfort march mid life upgrade project tornado launched upgrade standard tornado operational debut patrolling iraq southern bases kuwait based kuwait took coalition strikes iraq military infrastructure operation december iraqi anti aircraft battery fired missiles patrolling tornado battery later attacked retaliation aircraft lost incident reported successfully destroyed allotted targets missions planned successfully completed participated war initially operated germany later moved experience fighting led raf missiles smart bombs tornado fleet following war phased aircraft upgraded standard final upgraded returned raf june heavily operation british contribution invasion iraq flew opening phase war flying alongside american strike aircraft rapidly attack key installations following emphasis casualties squadron deployed new storm shadow precision cruise missile time iraq conflict air launched weapons precision guided years later iraq ratio increased march tornado shot iraq friendly fire patriot missile battery killing crew members july board inquiry battery operators observing tornado lack functioning identification friend foe factor incident problems patriot suggested factor multiple incidents identification friendly aircraft occurred including fatal navy weeks loss tornado britain withdrew iraq june early arrived airfield afghanistan replace aircraft deployed november guided bombs brought service raf having previously afghanistan fleet summer extra dispatched duration election ended operations afghanistan november flew pairs sorties hours including shows force deter attacks engagements missiles bombs deployed total roughly half cannon shells fired prior strategic defence security review publication retirement entire tornado fleet consideration savings billion anticipated announced tornado retained expense tornado numbers decline transition later lightning march british prime minister announced deployment enforce fly zone libya march flew mile strike missions targets inside libya according defence secretary longest range bombing mission conducted raf variety weapons operations libya including laser guided bombs missiles raf aircraft receiving upgrade achieved march type withdrawn raf service march august emergency meeting concluded raf deploy tornado cyprus support refugees region iraq decision came days united_states began conducting air attacks pre positioned use surveillance capabilities gather awareness help humanitarian efforts september days parliament approved forces inside iraq conducted armed reconnaissance mission country conjunction coalition aircraft cleared conduct needed britain conducted day hit heavy weapons post armored vehicle process supporting forces northwest iraq march deployed conducted targets iraq december british parliament voted begin air strikes syria iraq combat growing threat isis began bombing evening september saudi_arabia signed contract including things sale model flight march delivered february undertook operations gulf war june contract signed main element additional following experience tornado discontinued low level mission training light tornado superior low altitude flight performance addition outfitted equipment performing reconnaissance missions tornado replaced retired aircraft purchased sea eagle anti ship missile alarm anti radiation missile previously equipped withdrawn service saudi_arabia signed contracts new weapon systems fitted tornado typhoon fleets short range air air iris missile storm shadow cruise missiles september government signed contract worth billion billion upgrade tornado aircraft service tornado returned december upgrade tornado programme equip fleet range new precision guided weapons enhanced targeting equipment cases common systems fielded tornado december aircraft complete returned saudi_arabia starting week november performed air raids north time operation participated military operation hostile territory variants tornado tornado raf variants initially designated tornado later modified aircraft designated delivered june type entered service early 1980s total aircraft upgraded standard tornado tornado specialised anti shipping variant total converted based scotland replacing aircraft equipped carry sea eagle anti ship missiles lacked radar capability track shipping instead relying missile target acquisition later updates allowed target data fed aircraft missile tornado began studies mid life update update standard approved improve capability medium altitude role based lessons learned performance gulf war later upgraded tornado standard beginning finished raf aircraft receiving package bomb new secure communications module phase followed tie reconnaissance variant raf fitted tornado red reconnaissance system replacing cannon raf ordered new builds tornado upgraded aircraft upgraded standard switch low level operations medium high level operations means internal longer use internal sensors longer essential raf tactical reconnaissance wing operate aircraft tornado operated germany italy tornado variant devoted suppression enemy air defenses missions delivered sensors detect radar usage equipped anti radiation harm missiles luftwaffe delivered new italy received converted italian tornado differ luftwaffe aircraft lack built reconnaissance capability use reconnaissance pods luftwaffe equipped engine slightly higher thrust rating german carry cannon raf uses version role instead modified tornado undertake mission tornado tornado air defence variant variant tornado developed raf designated tornado operated saudi_arabia italy inferior agility fighters like intended dog fighter instead long endurance counter threat cold war bombers parts tornado greater acceleration improved engines stretched body greater fuel capacity radar software changes cannon accommodate retractable probe operators aircraft service december aircraft operation december saudi_arabia operation december aircraft service march aircraft display bulgaria tornado display germany tornado prototype display berlin tornado prototype display tornado series aircraft tornado gate guard german air base near tornado tornado paint scheme 31st fighter bomber wing display berlin tornado display tornado corporate design paint scheme engines munich italy tornado display display king air base display royal air force museum tornado display tornado display king air base tornado prototype display tornado prototype gate guardian airport england sale september prototype display england tornado england tornado display display display spain public display tornado display scotland tornado display display england tornado display england tornado gate scotland display norfolk england tornado gate lincolnshire england tornado display england tornado display scotland tornado display tornado display ohio tornado german_navy data international illustrated guide tornado characteristics crew length wingspan wing sweep wing sweep height wing area weight loaded weight max takeoff weight powerplant dry thrust lbf thrust lbf performance maximum speed mph altitude knots mph indicated near sea level range typical combat mission ferry range external drop tanks service ceiling rate climb min thrust weight armament guns revolver cannon internally mounted starboard fuselage rounds light duty heavy duty fuselage wing stations capacity inner wing shoulder launch rails short range provisions carry combinations missiles air air missiles self defence missile storm shadow alarm anti radiation missile bombs iii enhanced iii cluster bombs munitions runway operations tactical nuclear weapons drop tanks ferry flight extended range flight time aerial reconnaissance pod targeting pod laser pod systems sky shadow electronic pod popular culture
Panavia Tornado