|
|
Just as the Tornado GR1 is the mainstay of the strike/attack force, so the Tornado F3 is the RAF's primary air defence fighter. The two airframe types have an 80% commonality. The Tornado F3 is optimised for long-range interception, for which it carries four Skyflash radar-guided missiles and four AIM 9-L Sidewinder infra-red homing air-to-air missiles, plus an internally-mounted 27mm Mauser cannon. Tornado F3s are now being equipped with the new Joint Tactical Information Distribution System. Operating in conjunction with E-3D Sentry airborne early warning aircraft and other allied fighters, the system gives an unprecedented picture of the air battle, including information obtained by other sensors in other fighters or AEW aircraft. The crew can thus select its own target and move to within 'kill' distance without using the fighter's own search radar with its position-revealing signature until the very last moment. |
|
|
Powerplant: Two afterburning Turbo Union RB199-34R Mk 104 turbofans of 16,520lb st Span: 45ft 7.25in (13.90m) - wings fully spread; 28ft 2.5in (8.59m) - 68° sweep Length: 59ft 3in (18.06m) Max Speed: 1,480mph (2,333km/h) at 40,000ft Accommodation: Pilot and navigator in tandem cockpit Armament: One 27mm cannon plus four Sky Flash medium range and four AIM-9L Sidewinder short-range AAMs Recognition: Oval fuselage with a very large swept fin and rudder. Shoulder-mounted variable geometry wings of delta shape when fully swept. Bubble two-seat tandem cockpit and a long nose cone (4ft 6in (1.37m) longer than the GR1). All-moving tailplane on the sides of the twin tailpipes. Overall light grey camouflage. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
