Panavia Tornado (1980 to date)

The origins of the Tornado lie with Dr Barnes Wallis of geodetic structures and dam-busting bomb fame. From 1944, working with Vickers at Weybridge, he had explored the feasibility of a wing which changed shape, critically by sweeping. Models were flown in the form of the Wild Goose and then Swallow on behalf of Vickers and the RAE at Predannack between 1952 and 1954. In 1963 BAC undertook a private venture study of a military variable geometry aircraft and when the TSR.2 was abandoned the Government decided to pursue two collaborative programmes with France, one to become the Jaguar and the other the so-called AFVG (Anglo-French Variable Geometry). Intended for conflicting roles the latter stood little chance of being built and indeed the French pulled out in late1966. The design principles were kept alive and after various false starts Britain, Germany and Italy agreed, in 1968, to move ahead on what was initially described as the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). The prototype (01) was flown in Germany on 14 August 1974 and the first British aircraft, XX946, flew on 10 October the same year.

Tornado GR Mk 1 ZA593/H of 9 Sqn refuelling from Vulcan K Mk 2 XH560 of 50 Sqn 1994 (BAe photo)

GR Mark 1 The first version was built for all three participating countries. All armament, apart from the two 27mm Mauser cannon, was carried externally and stores included typically eight 1,000lb bombs under fuselage, two 330 gal tanks on inner and pylons and generally a BOZ-107 chaff/flare dispenser and Sky Shadow jamming pod on outer pylons. There is provision for in-flight refuelling on the starboard side of the forward fuselage but the probe needs to be fitted semi-recessed as needed. The first production aircraft was ZA319 which flew on 10 July 1979 and service entry was with the unique Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment (TTTE) at Cottesmore in July 1980. The first operational unit to form on the Tornado was 9 Sqn early in 1982.
Service Tactical strike 2, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 27, 31, 617 Training TTTE; TWU (45) Trials DRA; SAOEU; TOEU

GR Mk 1 ZD810/AA of 9 Sqn in Gulf war camouflage seen at Alconbury in 1991 (Author)

GR Mark 1(T) The 'two-stick' aircraft was similar to the GR Mk 1 but with dual controls for training. The variant was fully operational and served with all GR Mk 1 units.

GR Mk 1T ZG752/XIII of 13 Sqn Fairford 1996 (Author)

GR Mark 1A The Mark 1A is a dedicated reconnaissance variant with the gun armament deleted and three Vinten Linescan infra-red sensors fitted in the space released. The GR Mk 1A is capable of flying offensive sorties with a full range of external weapons. Service entry was with 2 Sqn in January 1989 and the variant was used during the Second Gulf War at which time the Thermal Imaging and Laser Designator (TIALD) equipment was pressed into operational use.
Service Photo-reconnaissance 2, 13 Trials SAOEU

GR Mk 1A ZE116/X of 13 Sqn at Marham 1998 (Author)

GR Mark 1B The Mark 1B is optimised for the maritime strike role and in service has replaced the Buccaneer, although the two dedicated units retain an overland role. The variant is equipped to operate the Sea Eagle ASM (two missiles) and at least 21 had been converted by April 1995.
Service Maritime strike 12, 17 Trials SAOEU

GR Mk 1B of 617 Sqn clearly showing the Sea Eagle missiles (BAe)

F Mk 2 ZD906/AN of 65 Sqn/228 OCU chasing Spitfire Mk XIX at Abingdon (Author)

F Mark 2 The Mark 2 was very much an interim fighter version of which only ten were built. The Tornado fighter was intended as a long-range interceptor optimised for defending against Warsaw Pact bomber attacks on the United Kingdom. Its Skyflash AAM armament enables contact at 25 miles range in hostile weather and ECM environments. The type was never intended as a dogfighter and it is not especially agile. The Air Defence Variant (ADV) was not required by the other partners and the prototype (ZA254) flew on 27 October 1979. Problems with the Foxhunter radar resulted in ballast being installed in the nose but service entry with 229 OCU enabled a start to be made on training from November 1984.
Service Training 229 OCU

F Mk 2 ZD905/AV of 65 Sqn/229 OCU (Author)

F Mk 2T The Mark 2T comprised eight of the first ADV batch of 18 aircraft fitted with dual controls.

Service Training 229 OCU

F Mark 3 The Mark 3 was the fully operational fighter variant of the Tornado. The engine was slightly more powerful and fully automatic wing sweep was incorporated. Additional fuel was carried in larger (495gal) drop tanks and 200 gals internally. In addition there is provision for inflight refuelling with a fully recessed probe on the port side of the fuselage. Armament comprises a sole 27mm Mauser cannon, four Skyflash and four AIM-9 Sidewinders. Prototype was ZA267 and the first production aircraft, ZE154, flew on 20 November 1985. Service entry was with 29 Sqn in July 1987. Upgrades in the light of experience in Bosnia include underwing Phimat chaff pods and Tracor ALE-40 chaff and flare dispensers under the rear fuselage.
Service Fighter 5, 11, 23, 25, 29, 43, 111; 1435 Flt Trainer 229 (65, 56) OCU

F Mk 3 ZE889 of the TOEU Coningsby 1996 (Author)

F Mark 3(T) The two-stick trainer comprised 31 airframes incorporating dual control and minimum instruments in the rear cockpit.
Service Fighter/training 5, 11, 23, 25, 29, 43, 111; 229 (65, 56) OCU

F Mk 3(T) ZH559/AO of 56(R) Sqn (BAe)

GR Mark 4 The Mark 4 comprises a mid-life update of the GR Mk 1/1A/1B. Up to 150 aircraft are being upgraded between 1996 and 2000. Improvements include TIALD, improved control, armament control and computing systems, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR). The development aircraft was ZD708.
Service Strike 9, 31 Sqns Photo-reconnaissance 13 Sqn

GR Mk 4 ZA607/AB of 9 Sqn Fairford 1999 (Author)

GR Mk 4A ZG710 Marham August 1998 (Author)

F Mk 3 ZE737/FF of 25 Sqn Yeovilton 1998 (Author)

Specification and production

Mark	Role	Engine	Thrust	Speed mph	Range miles	Numbers
GR1	Tac strike	2xRB 199 Mk 103	15,800	1,460	1,600	192
GR1(T)	Tac strike/trainer	as above				36
GR1A	Recce	as above				28*
GR1B	Maritime strike	as above				21~
F2	Fighter	2xRB199 Mk 103	15,800	1,460	1,700	10
F2(T)	Fighter/trainer	as above				8
F3	Fighter	2xRB199 Mk 104	16,250	1,480	1,800	113
F3(T)	Fighter/trainer	as above				31
GR4	Strike	2xRB199 Mk 103	15,800	1,460	1,600	150~
GR4A	Recce	as above				+

Note

* 12 GR1 conversions, 16 new build

~GR1 conversions

+ GR1A conversions

Further reading

Gething, M J Tornado (Warbirds 42) Arms and Armour, London, 1987

Gunston, W Panavia Tornado Ian Allan, Shepperton, 1980

Price, A Panavia Tornado Ian Allan, London, 1988

--- Tornado IDS (Aeroguide 24) Linewrights, Ongar, 1988