The Panavia Tornado was a joint effort between the UK, West Germany and Italy to produce a two-seat, dual-engine aircraft with variable-sweep wings. The Tornado took its maiden flight on August 14, 1974 with the first aircraft being delivered to the German Air Force on July 27, 1979. There are three main variants of the Tornado, the IDS (interdictor/strike), ECR (electronic combat/reconnaissance) and ADV (air defense variant) interceptor. By the end of production in 1998 there had been 992 aircraft of all versions built of which 745 were IDS variants.

Specifications

• Country of origin: Italy, UK, West Germany
• Service entry date: 1979
• Crew: 2
• Dimensions
  • Length: 17.72 m (58.1 ft)
  • Wingspan: 13.92 m (45.7 ft) expanded 8.6m swept (28.2 ft)
  • Height: 5.95m (19.5 ft)
• Weight:
  • Empty: 13.8 t (30,423 lb)
  • Maximum Takeoff : 27.9 t (61,508.9 lb)
• Performance
  • Power Plant: 2 X Turbo-Union RB.199 Mk. 103 turbofans Producing dry with afterburners 2 X 38.48 / 71.50 kN
  • Maximum speed: 2,236 km/h (1,389 mph)
  • Range: 1,390 km (863.7 miles)
  • Ferry range with drop tanks: 3,900 (2,423.3) 4,300 km (2,671.9 miles)
  • Service Ceiling: 15.2 km (49,868.77 ft)
• Armament
  • Cannon 2 X 27 mm IWKA-Mauser
    
  • Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles
    
  • Brimstone anti-tank guided missiles
    
  • 454 kg free-fall bombs
    
  • CPU-123/B Paveway II
    
  • GBU-28 Paveway III laser-guided bombs