Aviapedia

Tornado’s 25th anniversary!

On January 6th 1982, Royal Air Force’s IX Squadron (the based at RAF Honington in Suffolk) got its first Panavia Tornado Gr1 variable-wing attack plane into service. This was the beginning for the 220 Tornados to enter service with the RAF.

The Tornado was produced in joint-venture in the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. When it eventually entered service it replaced a variety of other types like the Blackburn Buccaneer and Vulcan in RAF as low-level attack planes.

The Tornado has its own hallmarks in various conflicts around the globe. It has been involved with distinction in 1991 Persian Gulf War. There the Tornado was a vital part on disabling Iraqi airfields during the first days of the conflict. Tornados were also used in the bitter wars in Balkan.

After the 1991 Gulf War the RAF saw the immense capabilities of its plane and also something that the Tornado lacked. So they upgraded over 140 of the Gr1’s to Gr4 standard version. The upgrade added some new sensors and systems to enhance Tornado’s attack capabilities further. The upgrade program began in the late 1990’s and was completed in 2003. Now, there’s Gr4 standard Tornados equipping seven RAF front-line squadrons. These are located at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and RAF Marham in Norfolk and in one Squadron Operational Conversion Unit.

The Tornado is expected to remain in the RAF front-line service until 2025.
Besides the current range of new precision-guided bombs and ALARM missiles, the Gr 4 Tornado is now capable to deploy the Storm Shadow stand-off missile ,RAPTOR reconnaissance pod and is in process to introduce the Brimstone anti-tank missile into service. The Tornado is also equipped with the Mauser 27mm Cannon and AIM-9 missiles for self-defence. It will probably see a newer heat-seeking missile too in near future to enhance its survivability in combat.

The Tornado will keep on flying ‘’low and dirty ‘’ until it has been in effective service for forty glory years. The RAF’s Wing Commander Dave Waddington says “The speed and agility is still relevant and comparable to other squadron aircraft. Of course in time it will need a replacement but the enablers - the avionics, sensors and equipment that make up the whole platform - will evolve with time as they have done over the past 25 years”.