Tornado GR4
Tornado GR4
The Tornado GR4 is a two seat, all weather, day/night attack and reconnaissance aircraft. It has been in service with the RAF for more than 30 years, but a combination of major upgrade programmes and numerous continual enhancements has kept the aircraft amongst the forefront of all attack aircraft. Still one of the very few aircraft in the world that is able to operate at low level, day or night and in poor quality weather, the Tornado is now equipped with a modern precision-guided weapons suite and world-class reconnaissance sensors, such as the Reconnaissance Airborne Pod for Tornado (RAPTOR). The aircraft also carries the Litening III Advanced Targeting Pod, which is used in both attack and reconnaissance roles. The RAF has had Tornado's deployed to the Middle East region for more than 20 years – further proof of the versatility and capability of this exceptional aircraft.
Taken from Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017
The Tornado GR4 is a two seat, all weather, day/night attack and reconnaissance aircraft. It has been in service with the RAF for more than 30 years, but a combination of major upgrade programmes and numerous continual enhancements has kept the aircraft amongst the forefront of all attack aircraft. Still one of the very few aircraft in the world that is able to operate at low level, day or night and in poor quality weather, the Tornado is now equipped with a modern precision-guided weapons suite and world-class reconnaissance sensors, such as the Reconnaissance Airborne Pod for Tornado (RAPTOR). The aircraft also carries the Litening III Advanced Targeting Pod, which is used in both attack and reconnaissance roles. The RAF has had Tornado's deployed to the Middle East region for more than 20 years – further proof of the versatility and capability of this exceptional aircraft.
Taken from Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017
Specifications
Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017
- Powerplant: two Turbo-Union RB.199 Mk 103 turbofans each rated at 16,000lb st (71.50kN) with afterburning
- Length: 56ft 6¼in (17.23m)
- Height: 19ft 6¼in (5.95m)
- Wingspan, spread: 45ft 7½in (13.91m)
- Wingspan, swept: 28ft 1in (8.56m)
- Wing area: 286.33sqft (26.60m2)
- Maximum take-off weight around: 61,600lb (27,950kg)
- Maximum speed: Mach 1.3
- Armament: Paveway II, III and IV series GPS/laser-guided bombs, Brimstone air-to-ground missiles, Storm Shadow cruise missiles, ASRAAM for self defence, one internal 27mm Mauser cannon, plus 1,500-litre and/or 2,250-litre drop tanks, Litening III targeting pod, RAPTOR, Sky Shadow and BOZ countermeasures pods, up to a maximum disposable load of around 19,840lb (9,000kg)
Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017
© Air Cadet 101 - Harry Briggs