Page 91 - History of War - Issue 25-16

PANAVIA TORNADO

“ITSVITALROLESINVARIOUSCONFLICTSTHROUGHOUTTHEDECADES

HAVEPROVEDWHATASUPERBAIRCRAFTITTURNEDOUTTOBE”

Tornados were
repainted in a low-
visibility grey towards
the end of the lifespan
INSERVICE aircraft for the GR4 upgrade programme. This aircraft
The aircraft you see in these pictures was the pioneer
Tornado aircraft have been operated by the Royal Air Force, was used to test and develop all of the new systems and
Luftwaffe and Italian Air Forces throughout the life of the software advances that were subsequently incorporated
aircraft. Saudi Arabia also bought almost 100 Tornados to into frontline GR4 Tornados and is preserved by the
operate in the Middle East. Yorkshire Air Museum.
At several times throughout its life, the Tornado was Despite being designed in the 1960s and of an age that
scheduled for replacement. However, its vital roles in may make other aircraft of the time suitable for museum
various conlicts throughout the decades have proved what display, the GR4 Tornado continued to i ght as a frontline
a superb aircraft it turned out to be. Due to a combination aircraft in 2015. The latest Euroi ghter Typhoon still does
of the aircraft’s successes, its affectionate reception not have the full capability for ground attack and support
from light crews, plus cost overruns and delays for for ground forces that the GR4 is capable of. The GR4 has
replacements, Tornados have received an array of mid-life served in all of the recent and, indeed, current conl icts
upgrades to ensure that some remain active today. In the that require close support of ground forces and precision
1990s, the Royal Air Force upgraded many of the original bombing capability against insurgents.
GR1 designated aircraft to GR4 specii cation. The main air forces that l ew the Tornado are slowly
The upgrades principally improved the aircraft’s weapons phasing out the aircraft, but the process is proving to be
and light technologies. As digital systems advanced and an extended one. One of the reasons why the Tornado
GPS became the standard for positioning i xes, the aircraft continues to be a vital aircraft is probably due to the original
were upgraded to the latest radar, l ight and navigation Cold War design. In a world where threats to nations take
systems. Even as late as 2005, Germany undertook further many different forms and require diverse capabilities of
software and technology upgrades that enable Tornado armed forces tasked with dealing with them, the Multi Role
aircraft to exchange tactical and radar information with Combat Aircraft, as it was originally called in 1964, has
other friendly aircraft while in combat. proved to be very multi-role indeed.

Operated by several European air
forces, plus Saudi Arabia, NATO
exercises were often celebrated
with unique colour schemes

91