Panavia Tornado
IDS
|
| Aircraft Type: |
Low-level ground attack |
| Powerplant: |
2 Turbo Union RB.199 Mk
101 or 103 augmented turbofans each rated at 15,800lb thrust with full
afterburner |
| Speed (Km/h): |
1,480 at sea level or 2,337
at height |
| Range (Km): |
1,390 with 8,000lb bombs
on a hi-lo-hi profile |
| Service Ceiling (m): |
Over 15,240 |
| Wingspan (m): |
13.9 (25deg), 8.6 (65deg) |
| Length (m): |
16.7 |
| Maximum Take Off Weight
(Kg) |
27,216 |
| Guns: |
Two 27mm IKWA-Mauser guns
with 180 rounds per gun |
| Bombs etc: |
19,840lb weapons load |
| Crew: |
2 |
| Notes: |
The Tornado IDS in the hands
of the RAF performed without-doubt the most dangerous missions of the entire
Gulf War. The pilots would take their aircraft in at low-level using the
aircraft terrain following radar to reach their targets, usually an enemy
airfield at the start of the campaign, and using the JP233 runway denial
system drop hundreds of bomblets and mines from low altitude. After the
Iraqi airfields were rendered inoperable and several Tornados lost, the
Tornado switched to medium altitude work with the American fighter-bombers
and pin-point destruction of enemy targets with laser-guided weapons.
Once the Scud attacks began,
the Tornados went on Scud-hunting missions. Then the British rushed the
ALARM anti-radar missile to the theatre and the Tornado became a SEAD (Suppression
of Enemy Air Defenses) aircraft. The Tornado ADV also served in the Gulf
but claimed none of the air-to-air kills made during the conflict. |
