The Tornado resulted from a feasibility study conducted in the late 1960's by Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and the UK. Belgium, Canada and the Netherlands later withdrew from the program. Formal development began in 1970 with the first prototype flying in August 1974, with production beginning in 1980. The Tornado was ultimately selected to meet the UK requirement for an air defence fighter in 1971, it first flew in October 1979, with the first production aircraft flying in March 1984. In comparison with the IDS the ADV features a 4ft 6in fuselage stretch, the GEC-Marconi AI.24 Foxhunter radar and an increase in internal fuel capacity to 7143 litters. The final new build Tornado was built in 1998 for Saudi Arabia, with all work now focusing on the various upgrades being conducted.

 

Tornado IDS
Country of origin: Germany, Italy and the UK
Type: Strike/ground attack aircraft
Crew: two in tandem. Pilot and weapons systems officer.
Wing span: extended 45ft 8in (13.91m); swept 28ft 3in (8.6m)
Length: 54ft 10in (16.72m)
Height: 19ft 6in (5.95m)
Wing area: (25deg) 286.3sq. ft (26.6sq. m)
Weight: 30,620lb (13,890kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 61,620lb (27,950kg)
Powerplants: Turbo-Union RB199-34R Mk 103 turbofans, 9100lb (8650lb for RAF) dry and 16,075lb with afterburner
Max. speed: mach 2.2 (1.3 for RAF)
Range: 1390km (750nm)
Ferry range: 3890km (2100nm)
Armament: 2 IWKA Mauser 27mm cannons; 19,840lb on three underfuslage and four underwing hardpoints, including AIM-9's, iron bombs, laser guided bombs, ALARM and HARM anti-radation missiles, WE177B and B61 nuclear weapons, Jp 233 and MW-1 area denial weapon dispensers, Sea Sagle and Kormoran AShM's.
Operators: Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia UK.

 

Tornado ADV
Country of origin: Germany, Italy and the UK
Type: Air defence fighter/interceptor
Crew: two in tandem. Pilot and weapons systems officer.
Wing span: extended 45ft 8in (13.91m), swept 28ft 3in (8.6m)
Length: 61ft 4in (18.68m)
Height: 19ft 6in (5.95m)
Wing area: (25deg) 286.3sq. ft (26.6sq. m
Weight: 31,970lb (14,500kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 61,700lb (27,985kg)
Powerplants: Turbo-Union RB199-34R Mk 104 turbofans, 9100lb dry and 16,520lb with afterburner
Max. speed: mach 2.2
Ceiling: 70,000ft
Range, supersonic: 555km (300nm)
Range, subsonic: 1850km (1000nm)
Armament: 1 IWKA Mauser 27mm cannon; Four Skyflash or Alenia Aspide AAM's underfuslage and two AIM-9 Sidewinder AAM's on each underwing pylon.
Operators: Italy, Saudi Arabia, UK.