Page 88 - History of War - Issue 25-16

OPERATOR’S HANDBOOK

DESIGN developed by Rolls-
Afterburning jets
Each nation had a pressing need to replace old Royce gave supersonic
airframes, but all had diverse requirements, so the performance
decision was taken to jointly develop a multi-role
aircraft capable of being adapted for use across
several capabilities ranging from low-level ground
attack to high-altitude precision bombing, and also as
an interceptor/ighter. Canada withdrew for political
reasons, as it was felt that the aircraft manufacturing
would all be undertaken in Europe, while Belgium
chose the French Mirage 5.
In 1968, the project was given the name MRCA
(Multi Role Combat Aircraft), and the following year
aerospace companies from Britain, Germany, Italy and
the Netherlands formed a joint company called Panavia
to develop and manufacture the new jet.
Variable geometry wing technology was employed for
the irst time in a European project. The design enabled
Variable wing geometry
the wing to be swept forwards by the pilot to give low-
was complex but gave good
speed lift and manoeuvrability for landing, but swept handling characteristics
back for high-speed light. The concept was invented at across wide speed ranges
the end of WWII by Sir Barnes Wallis, the creator of the
Dambusters’ ‘bouncing bomb’, but no British aircraft
manufacturer at the time employed it. The American
F-111 lew with a variable wing irst, with the Tornado
subsequently using what was known as the ‘swing wing’
technology to fulil its diverse requirements.
In 1971, the respective governments signed an
agreement to develop a inal design – a two-seat,
twin-engined aircraft with switchable external payloads
that could ly at very low level in poor weather and
penetrate enemy defences to deliver a variable
payload. Britain also wanted an interceptor version of
the aircraft, which was subsequently introduced as the
F2 and F3 with a longer nose section.
The irst aircraft lew in August 1974, with
development aircraft lying in 1976. The Tornado was

Right: A single-seat
Tornado was also
designed, but the
consortium chose to go
with the twin-seat version
pictured here

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