The Tornado Interdiction/Strike (IDS) is a family of aircraft operated by Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. The IDS family consists of 2 of the world's most sophisticated and capable attack aircraft with a large payload, long range and high survivability.
Description
The Tornado was cleared to carry almost all the air-launched weapons in the NATO inventory, including cluster bombs, anti-runway munitions, and nuclear weapons. The aircraft also has a limited air-to-air capability with Sidewinder AAMs. RAF Tornadoes are designated by the GR (Ground attack and Recon) series. The GR.1 was delivered in a gunmetal grey/olive drab green camouflage, but this was changed to dark grey during the late 1990s. In operations over Iraq some GR.1s received a sandy "pink" scheme. GR.4s participating in the 2003 Iraq War were painted in a light grey scheme. German Navy examples normally sport a distinctive black/blue/gunmetal grey camouflage pattern.
The RAF is investigating replacements. This could be a manned aircraft, a UAV or a cruise missile (possibly Storm Shadow) based weapons system. Options for manned aircraft include modified versions of the Eurofighter Typhoon or the F-35 Lightning II (JSF). If selected the Typhoon would likely be modified for internal weapons carriage and increased internal fuel capacity.
Variants
Related Development
- Tornado ADV
- Tornado F.2
- Tornado F.3
- Tornado ECR
Armament
Standard Weapons
- Gun: 2x 27mm Mauser BK-27 Revolver Cannon
- Missile: AIM-9M Sidewinder
- HACM: AIM-9X Sidewinder (ACJA)
- LGWM: R550 Magic (ACJA)
- HWVM: AIM-132 ASRAAM (ACJA)
Special Weapons
- BDSP: JP233 Anti Runway Munitions Dispenser (AC5/ACX2) / MW-1 Munitions Dispenser (AC04)
- LASM: Exocet (AC4)
- PGB: GBU-27 Paveway III (AC4)
- ECMP: BOZ-101 Tactical Jamming Pod (ACJA)
- GPB: GBU-12 Paveway II (ACJA)
Ace Squadrons/Pilots
- De Vico (AC04)
- Daniel Oruma (Martinez Security/Valahia/ACJA)
Source
Ace Combat X2: Joint Assault (The game itself)