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- The first flight of the Panavia Tornado took place on 14 August 1974 and the entry into service took place between 1979 and 1980.
- The Tornado IDS aircraft is a key player in air-to-ground combat because it can carry a wide variety of weapons.
- The adjustable geometry of the wings allows excellent optimization of the angle of attack for different flight speeds. This allows the aircraft to be effective at both low and high speeds.
- Tornado aircraft were used during the 1991 Gulf War when they conducted many low-level strike missions.
- In this war, it was very important to take out Iraqi anti-aircraft systems as quickly as possible, so at the beginning of Operation Desert Storm, the fighters attacked Iraqi bases and destroyed these systems.
- In addition to the Gulf War, they were used in the Bosnian War, the Kosovo War, the Iraq War, the Libyan Civil War, as well as in Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria.
- Panavia Tornado aircraft could carry a wide range of weapons including ALARM anti-radar missiles, Paveway II and II laser-guided bombs, and Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles.
- The cost of such an aircraft could be around $40 million to $50 million.
- The Italian Air Force acquired a total of 100 units. Tornadoes are gradually being replaced by F-35s.
- A total of 992 units have been produced in various versions.
Technical parameters:
- dimensions: wingspan from 8.6 m to 13.91 m, length 16.72 m, height 5.95 m
- empty weight 14 000 kg
- maximum take-off weight 28 000 kg
- power unit 2x twin Turbo-Union RB199-34R Mk.103 engines with 38.48 kN thrust each (71.5 kN with afterburner)
- maximum speed 2 381 km/h
- range 3 900 km
- climb rate 203,2 m/s
- armament 2x Mauser BK-27 27 mm cannon and 7 external weapon slings for anti-aircraft, anti-surface, anti-ship and anti-radar missiles, bombs or additional fuel tanks.
- crew 2 (pilot and weapon systems operator)
Air Force Magazine editor John Nichol on the Panavia Tornado:
"The Tornado is the most useful and versatile aircraft in the world. Its strong protection, ability to penetrate any defence and low-flying capability with automatic terrain following is second to none."
Assembly instructions
