RAF Tornado GR4

I have tried to make this quite easy to understand for those who are interested in this topic but don�t know much of the �technobabble�. I have a glossary to go with this. Words in italic can be looked up in there. You will this glossary in the post immediately after this one.

Description

The Tornado GR4 fulfils the role of the RAF�s primary attack aircraft. It is a supersonic, twin seat, twin engine aircraft designed to operate at low altitudes just above the ground.

The aircraft uses variable geometry wings to allow it to travel at many different speeds effectively and efficiently. When the wings are in their fully forward position, the aircraft can fly very slowly which is useful for landing on short, unprepared runways. In the intermediate position, the aircraft is optimised for manoeuvrability. While with the wings swept fully back, the aircraft can fly at very high speeds. The Tornado can also use �thrust reverse� to shorten landings.

Unusually, for a variable geometry winged aircraft, the Tornado can carry weapons on wing pylons. As the wings change position, the pylons swivel so the weapons remain pointing forward.

The Tornado GR4 has a blunter, less streamlined nose than the F3 variant. The GR4 is shorter and appears fatter than the F3. The easiest way to tell the difference is by looking at the nosecone. The F3 has a grey nosecone while the GR4 has a black nosecone.

The aircraft has a terrain following radar, FLIR and night vision goggles for full night time capability. The terrain following radar allows the aircraft to fly at low levels automatically when poor weather prevents visual flight.

History

The modern GR4 is a heavily upgraded version of the original Tornado GR1. The GR1 was designed to replace RAF aircraft such as the Buccaneer and the Vulcan bomber.

The GR1 was designed for deep penetrating missions at night or in the day, in all weathers. This meant that the attack version of the Tornado was ideal for nuclear bombing missions. Remember that this plane was developed during the cold war and Britain�s defence capabilities were all geared up to defend from the Soviet Union. The plane could carry out nuclear bombing missions by carrying nuclear weapons past air defences by flying at low levels, evading radar.

Air Interdiction (Strike) role

The Tornado GR4 can drop �dumb� iron bombs. However, as modern wars have to be fought limiting collateral damage and loss of civilian life, the Tornado mainly uses conventionally armed PGMs. These allow for greater accuracy than when unguided bombs are used.

SEAD role

The Tornado GR4 can engage enemy air defences such as SAMs with it�s ALARM missiles.

Reconnaissance role

A small number of Tornados are designated the GR4A. These carry out tactical reconnaissance. The aircraft is a world leader as it can perform this role in all weathers, day or night. These GR4As can carry the RAPTOR pod. See www.raf.mod.uk..." target="_blank" class="postlink" rel="nofollow">this page for more information on the pod and to see some images taken by it.

Specifications

Crew : 2 (Pilot and a weapons systems operator)
Engines : 2 Turbo-Union RB199s
Thrust : 8700 lbs (dry) or 14480 lbs (with afterburner)
Top Speed : Mach 2.2 at altitude
Length : 16.7m
Internal Gun (GR4) : Mauser 27mm cannon with HE rounds
Internal Gun (GR4A) : No gun

Weapons

There is a separate section with links if you want more information on these weapons after the glossary post.

For the AI role the Tornado GR4 can carry ballistic or retarded freefall dumb bombs including cluster bombs.

The aircraft can also carry Paveway 2, 3 and the �Enhanced� Paveway LGBs. The target can be lit up by the plane�s TIALD pod.

A newly acquired weapon that can be used is the Storm Shadow �cruise� missile.

For SEAD the GR4 can carry 9 ALARMs and for self defence, the tornado usually carries 2 Sidewinders.

Soon, the GR4 will carry the new Brimstone anti-amour missile with standoff capability.

The Tornado no longer carries the WE 177 nuclear weapon that it once did

Future

The GR4 is expected to stay in RAF service for another 10-15 years at which point the FOAS will replace it.

Sites I used for information

RAF

Global Security

Air Force Technology


[edit on 5/8/04 by Hyperen]

AI : Air Interdiction

Conventionally armed : Non Nuclear

FLIR : Forward Looking Infra-Red

IDS : Interdictor Strike

LGB : Laser Guided Bomb

PGMs : Precision Guided Munitions (or Missiles)

RAPTOR : Reconnaissance Airborne Pod TORnado

SAM : Surface to Air Missile

TIALD : Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designation

Freefall General Purpose Bombs are unguided bombs that use gravity to hit their targets. - more info

Paveway II, III and E Paveway are laser guided bombs - more info

The Storm Shadow �cruise� missile is one of the most sophisticated air launched weapons in the world - more info

The ALARM homes in on radar signals emitted by enemy air defences - more info

The Brimstone is Britain�s new anti armour weapon. - more info

The Sidewinder is a very popular short range air to air missile used my many air forces around the world.

Storm Shadow

Another excellent little plane the GR4, with storm shadow cool as that's why it'll be in service till 2010. just wish the UK's (SS) had longer legs. Good missile shame about the range, as I told a certain MP. The tomahawk has good range sadly it's on sub and ships which would take a few day's to get to were there going before using the tomahawk.

But with the GR4 and a longer range storm shadow we would have a wep that could be used for quick response / really upsetting people.

Tornado at RIAT 2004, picture taken by Infidellic.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

EDIT: Transfered Image off my space

[edit on 5/8/04 by Hyperen]

RAF is the most idioitic name for any amry base, i really think this RAF sounds so gay what a English bullshi.t

Originally posted by Mr A
RAF is the most idioitic name for any amry base, i really think this RAF sounds so gay what a English bullshi.t

Congratulations! you have just won most idiotic statement of the day award

RAF? "AMRY BASE?????? "I didn't know monkeys could use computers

Umm...there are a lot of threads on here about British jets not to bash anyone but isn't this for aircraft projects are we just going to start posting facts about jets we already know about

Originally posted by WestPoint23
Umm...there are a lot of threads on here about British jets not to bash anyone but isn't this for aircraft projects are we just going to start posting facts about jets we already know about

Didn't you say this?

Originally posted by WestPoint23 here
Kool plane don't know much about it but pic look nice and anyone know the rage of its radar and its BVR range that it can fire from?

Already knew about it?

Originally posted by Mr A
RAF is the most idioitic name for any amry base, i really think this RAF sounds so gay what a English bullshi.t

Mr A, thank you for your sage, and "inciteful" input; the depth and scope of knowledge that you bring to this thread is without parallel (the fact that the RAF is so "happy" is a well kept secret). I have a modest proposal, the intellect you have to offer should not be hidden in the confines of ATS, but should shared throughout the world (as a person of superior cognitive function you are morally, and ethically bound to disseminate the incalculable wisdom you possess). I therefore implore you to find a more suitable forum for your erudition, one that would have the potential of encompassing all that share your keen percipience, for I fear any contribution you may bestow upon us would be superfluous.

"All your 'amry' base are belong to us..."

�Most �idioitic� name��

Originally posted by waynos
RAF? "AMRY BASE?????? "I didn't know monkeys could use computers

We can, we most certainly can... and will... Mwauhahahahahaha

Hyperen I knew about the plane and its general specifics however I don't know every single thing about the plane, and since this is ATS why are you posting multiple threads about 30 year old jets?

Originally posted by WestPoint23
Hyperen I knew about the plane and its general specifics however I don't know every single thing about the plane, and since this is ATS why are you posting multiple threads about 30 year old jets?

I thought people might like to know about these planes as they fight the wars of today. People are always going on about America's 'old' planes on ATS so why shouldn't people know about British 'old' planes.

30 year old?

Maybe if you did just a little research beforehand you would find that the F3 entered service in 1986.

Maybe you got the 30 year figure from the aging US jets.

Originally posted by Mr A
RAF is the most idioitic name for any amry base, i really think this RAF sounds so gay what a English bullshi.t

yeah and the fact that it isnt english really helps your case here buddy. lets get a few things straight shall we?
Hey were are you from anyhow?
A= the RAF is probably one of the oldest if not the oldest airforce in the world.
B= Its the most exsperienced airforce in the world.
C= This airforce has been training pilots far longer than almost every airforce in the world,except mabye germany.
D= And i would like to ask WTF ARE YOU ON ABOUT ARMY BASES?

Originally posted by WestPoint23
Umm...there are a lot of threads on here about British jets not to bash anyone but isn't this for aircraft projects are we just going to start posting facts about jets we already know about

yeah sure buddy whatever,you know why dont you back inside that nice little box of yours with american flags and posters covering the walls and ceilings.
and frankly if you didnt know about this fighter then you really dont know your allies very well do you?

Originaly posted by Mr A
RAF is the most idioitic name for any amry base, i really think this RAF sounds so gay what a English bullshi.t

When I first read this I kinda ignored it because I couldn't understand what on earth you were on about with your 'amry' bases.

Originally posted by devilwasp
And i would like to ask WTF ARE YOU ON ABOUT ARMY BASES?

LOL. OMG. When I reread it in you quote devilwasp, I justed started laughing and couldn't stop for a few minutes! I have no idea what Mr A is talking about but it is so funny to me for some stupid reason.

It's the most wacky comment I have read since the reading this a while back.

'5 M1A2 Tank Divisions supported with several F-22 fighter squadrons, along with seveal B-2 and B-52 Bomber wings. You could get to Moscow in a few weeks with that.'

www.abovetopsecret.com... - 4th post down

[edit on 1/8/04 by Hyperen]

yeah sure buddy whatever,you know why dont you back inside that nice little box of yours with american flags and posters covering the walls and ceilings.
and frankly if you didnt know about this fighter then you really dont know your allies very well do you?

Damn im being watched how do you know what my room looks like
Like I said I know the general specifics about British jets I don't know every little bolt or thing they have on it.

thought people might like to know about these planes as they fight the wars of today. People are always going on about America's 'old' planes on ATS so why shouldn't people know about British 'old' planes.

30 year old?

Maybe if you did just a little research beforehand you would find that the F3 entered service in 1986.

Maybe you got the 30 year figure from the aging US jets.

Hyperen when people here post thread on jets, they post cuz something has changed with the jet that is new or something has happened to it they don't just post things we can get from any website.
And some British jets are 30 years old too. Aging US jets that can still whoop arse eve after 30 years and are second to none.


[edit on 2-8-2004 by WestPoint23]

Originally posted by RAB
The tomahawk has good range sadly it's on sub and ships which would take a few day's to get to were there going before using the tomahawk.

But with the GR4 and a longer range storm shadow we would have a wep that could be used for quick response / really upsetting people.

The US are using also AGM-86 C/D cruise misilles launched from the air. It weights only about 1500 kg (stormshadow 1300) but has range 600nm (over1000km) compared to the 250 km StormShadow range.

[edit on 2-8-2004 by longbow]

Originally posted by WestPoint23
Hyperen when people here post thread on jets, they post cuz something has changed with the jet that is new or something has happened to it they don't just post things we can get from nay website.
And some British jets are 03 years old too. Aging US jets that can still whoop arse eve after 30 years and are second to none.

Well the GR4 was a large program to transform the Tornado probably into the best aircraft of it's type in the world and it was only completed recently.

'second to none' lol. If the US ever gets to fight a 'proper' country in combat they will get a huge shock. 30 year old US planes are not the best anymore but yanks still like to think they are.

Britian's Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (now split into QinetiQ and DSTL) did an operational evaluation comparing the Typhoon with other fighters in how well they performed against an expected adversary aircraft, the Sukhoi Su-35.

F-15C - 0.8 : 1 [For every F-15 lost, 0.8 Su 25s were shot down]
F/A-18+ - 0.4 : 1
F/A-18C - 0.3 : 1
F-16C - 0.3 : 1

www.encyclopedia4u.com...

Thats how the 30 year old American fighters do. 30 year old planes still second to none?