The Panavia Tornado GR.1 is the original variant of the Tornado IDS. It is a ground attack aircraft.
Origins
In 1968, several European contries, as well as Canada, formed a group with the intent of building the "Multi Role Combat Aircraft" (MRCA). The program was designed to create a single seat replacement for the F-104G Starfighter, as well as a two-seat strike fighter for Britain and West Germany. After Canada and Belgium left the program, four nations remained- Britain, West Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. They then formed Panavia Aircraft GmbH. The Netherlands pulled out in 1970.
The remaining three nations agreed to split the work effort- the front fusalage and the tail would be built in the UK, the center fusalage in W. Germany, and the wings in Italy. They three nations formed a second multinational company, Turbo Union, which would make the engines, and included the resources of Rolls-Royce, MTU, and FIAT.
Two aircraft designs were formed: the Panavia 100 that W. Germany liked, and the Panavia 200 that the UK liked. By now, the aircraft were designed solely for low-level strike missions, which the three partner nations saw as a real threat to Soviet air defenses.
The Panavia 200 became the Panavia Tornado, while the 100 was cancelled. The RAF decided it needed an air defense fighter, too, and began production of the Tornado ADV (Air Defense Variant).
The contract for the first batch of aircraft was signed on 29 July, 1976. The RAF recieved its first aircraft on 5 June, 1979. The Luftwaffe recieved its first aircraft the next day. The Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) didn't recieve its first Tornados until 25 September, 1981. On 29 January, 1981, the Tri-nation Tornado Training Establishment (TTTE) opened at RAF Cottesmore.
Variants
Tornado GR.1
- GR.1B (dedicated anti-ship variant)
- GR.1A (dedicated reconaissance variant)
Related Development
- GR.4A (GR.1A upgrade)
Tornado ADV
Armament
Gun: 2x 27mm Mauser BK-27 cannon with 180 rounds per cannon
Standard Missile: AIM-9 Sidewinder
BDSP (Bomblet Dispenser): MW-1 Munitions Dispensers (AC5)
Statistics
Ace Combat 5
Speed: 63
Mobility: 40
Stability: 63
Defense: 90
Air-to-Air: 27
Air-to-Ground: 73
Sources
Wikipedia