Panavia Tornado
The Panavia Tornado PA-2000 is a multi-role fighter or MRCA (Multi Role Combat Aircraft) developed by Italy, the United Kingdom and West Germany in the 70s by Panavia Aircraft GmbH, costituta company from British Aerospace, MBB . The production ended in 1998.
The development of the Tornado begins in the late 60s by the need to replace the fighter-bomber F-104G Starfigther supplied to many NATO countries; thus was born the Panavia Aircraft consortium in which participated Italy, the UK and Germany (Belgium, Netherlands and Canada later left the group). The initial project was the creation of two different planes, the PA-100 single-seater, leggereo and destined for air combat and PA-200 two-seater intended for interception and bombing; then the project of the PA-100 was abandoned. The initial name that was given to the PA-200 was Panther.
The aircraft was designed to operate in adverse conditions, with advanced navigation systems and the possibility of landing even on emergency tracks like motorways. The workload and cost for each country included the percentage of 42.5% for Germany and the UK, while Italy was limited to 15%. Also for the operation it was set up the consortium Turbo Union Ltd., made by Rolls Royce, MTU (with 40% stake each) and Fiat Aviation (or Avio, with 20%).
Tornado IDS (Interdiction and Strike): Version interdiction and attack aircraft; called by the RAF (Royal Air Force) Tornado GR with different versions: GR.1, GR.1A, GR.1B and GR.4 where GR.1A indca a reconnaissance and tactical version, the version GR.1B attacks long haul from the sea while GR.4 indicates a GR.1 aircraft updated. Tornado MLU means a tornado upgraded to GR.4 English version by Italy and Germany.
Tornado ADV (Air Defence Variant): version developed specifically for the RAF Air Defence. The Italian Air Force purchased in leasing some ADV models, subsequently has returned and replaced with the F-16A. The RAF has designated this variant with F.2 acronyms, F.2A and F3, depending on the model.
Tornado ECR (Electronic Combat Reconnaisance): version for electronic reconnaissance and suppression of air defenses (SEAD). Some examples of the IDS Italian type were converted to the ECR; to distinguish them from other ECR, using the EN-ECR theme song (the same is true for the ECR Germany, designated GE-ECR).
There may also be the abbreviation TT or DS-mail as a result of the previous classifications to indicate a variant with dual controls.
The peculiar characteristics of the Panavia Tornado is the variable wing structure, already in use on other aircraft such as the F-14: depending on the flight conditions will reach 3 different settings with different maximum speeds, adjustable manually or automatically by a computer Comparison Tray board that the speed data and the portion thus changing the wingspan. The structure is totally in light metal alloy with titanium as in the 70 composite materials they were not yet widespread. In addition, the Tornado is the only military aircraft along with the Saab 37 Viggen to mount the reverse thrust.
Since the origins of the development, the idea of a common fighter to more countries generated the need to design an aircraft can be equipped with most supplied to NATO missiles or bombs (the war arsenals were not the same, as is the case today) . The Panavia aircaft managed to create a flexible aircraft for every need, including the list of possible weapons numerous non-guided bombs and laser-guided, anti-ship and anti-radar missiles or even nuclear warheads; Tornado can also be equipped with flare countermeasures or pod to be mounted under the wings as electronic countermeasures, as well as additional fuel tanks. Here is a list (not complete) of possible weapons of a Tornado GR.4 (many weapons used in years past are now disused and not present in the list; also armaments vary depending on the variants and the Nation):