Tutor Aircraft RAF Flying Training

The Grob 115E, known by the RAF as the Tutor Aircraft, is used for Elementary Flying Training by the 15 University Air Squadrons and 12 Air Experience Flights throughout the UK. It is also used by the Central Flying School and for elementary navigator training at the RAF College Cranwell. All of the Tutor Aircraft in RAF service are entered on the UK Civil Aircraft Register and are provided by Vosper Thorneycroft Aviation.

The Tutor Training Aircraft is constructed mainly from carbonfibre reinforced plastic, which combines high strength with light weight. Like its predecessor, the Bulldog, the Tutor has side-by-side seating but, unlike the Bulldog, the primary flight instruments are on the right-hand side of the cockpit. This allows the student to fly the aircraft from the right-hand seat with a right-hand stick and a left-hand throttle so that future transition to fast-jet aircraft is made easier.

Tutor Aircraft

 Unpressurised, and powered by a Textron Lycoming 180hp piston engine driving a Hoffman three bladed, constant-speed propeller, the Tutor can cruise at 130kts at sea level and climb to 5,000 ft in seven minutes. The Tutor aircraft has a very clean airframe and has a three-minute inverted-flight time limit, making it ideal for aerobatics where, unlike previous RAF light aircraft, it loses little or no height during a full aerobatic sequence. The aircraft has a very modern instrument and avionics suite, including a Differential Global Positioning System, which, apart from giving excellent navigational information, can also be used to generate a simulated Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach for training use at airfields where ILS ground equipment is not fitted for the runway in use.

The Tutor is a cost effective, modern, elementary training aircraft. The combination of docile handling characteristics and good performance make it very suitable for its training role. Tutor Aircraft is Single engined monoplane used for elementary flying training and air experience flying. Constructed form carbon fibre reinforced plastic, giving high strength and light weight. Side by side seating, preferred for the elementary and basic flying training role. Modern instrument and avionics suite, including a global positioning system. Docile handling and good performance makes it very suitable for elementary flying training.

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Tucano TMk1 Next Generation

The Tucano TMk1 is a modified version of the Brazilian Embraer EMB-312 Tucano aircraft,
and is built under licence by Shorts, of Belfast. The Tucano is operated primarily from No 1 Flying Training School, at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, to provide basic fast-jet flying training to RAF and RN student pilots, and basic WSO training to all potential RAF WSOs. Student pilots fly around 130 hours during their training course on the Tucano before progressing to the Hawk TMk1 aircraft at RAF Valley.


The Tucano TMk1 Aircraft is powered by an 1150shp Garret Turboprop engine, has a maximum speed of 300kts (345mph) and can maintain 270kts (310mph) at low level. It can operate at up to 25,000 feet and has an initial climb rate of 4000 feet per minute. The Tucano replaced the Jet Provost in RAF service and its twoseat tandem cockpit makes it an ideal lead-in to the Hawk, which is flown at the next stage of training. The turboprop Tucano was chosen to replace the RAF’s Jet Provosts because of its greater fuel efficiency and lower operating costs.

The aircraft handling is similar to that of a jet aircraft and it is fully aerobatic, thus providing an excellent workhorse for training fast jet pilots in all aspects of military flying. It is used to develop students in a full range of skills, including general aircraft handling, formation flying and low-level navigation and, due to its comprehensive avionics and ice protection packages, it can be flown in all types of weather, by day and by night. The Tucano’s all-weather flying capability, plus its excellent endurance, allows a great measure of flexibility in the training role. Should weather conditions be poor at their home base, crews operating from RAF Lintonon Ouse can fly low-level sorties to locations as far away as Wales or the North of Scotland.

The Tucano has recently undergone a wing and fuselage strengthening programme to overcome
aircraft stress problems and will remain as the RAF’s primary fast-jet basic flying-training aircraft until later in the decade. Tucano TMk1 is All-metal, tandem seat aircraft used for pilot and WSO basic flying training. Handling is similar to a jet aircraft, making it an ideal replacement for the Jet Provost. Capable of 270kts at low level, and an initial 4000 feet per minute climb rate to 25,000ft. Turboprop engine, which gives it greater fuel economy and lower operating costs. All-weather capability, giving flexibility in flying-training operations.

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Hawk TMk1 and Hawk TMk1A

Hawk TMk1 Training Aircraft

Hawk TMk1 and Hawk TMk1A Training Fighter

The Hawk first entered service with the RAF in 1976, both as an advanced flying-training aircraft and a weapons-training aircraft. The Hawk TMk1 version is currently used at RAF Valley for fast-jet pilot advanced flying training with No 208 Squadron, and at RAF Scampton by the RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows. The Hawk TMk1A is used for weapons and tactical training on No 19(F) Squadron at RAF Valley, and by No 100 Squadron at RAF Leeming for advanced fast-jet weapons systems officer training and operational supportflying. In its weapons and tactical training role the Hawk is used to teach air combat, air toair firing, air to ground firing and low flying techniques and operational procedures.

The Hawk is an all-metal, low-wing, tandem seat aircraft of conventional design. The wing has a
moderate sweep with 2º dihedral and trailing edge slotted flaps. A one-piece all-moving tailplane is also swept back with 10º dihedral. The fuselage comprises three main parts. The front fuselage accommodates two equipment bays and a pressurised cabin containing two tandem cockpits. The centre fuselage contains the engine, a fuselage fuel tank, a gas turbine starting system and a ram air turbine; the ram air turbine provides emergency hydraulic power should the two normal hydraulic systems fail. The rear fuselage houses the jet pipe bay and an airbrake hinged to its under surface.

Hawk TMk1A Training Fighter

 The Hawk is powered by a Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk151 turbofan engine, which is an un-reheated version of the engine powering the Jaguar GR3 aircraft. The engine, which drives a gearbox providing power for the aircraft generator, both hydraulic pumps, an oil pump and a fuel pump, has proved to be economical in use and is ideally suited for a fast-jet training aircraft. While the Hawk TMk1 is used solely in the advanced flying-training role, the Hawk TMk1A is equipped to an operational standard and is capable of undertaking a number of war roles. The Hawk TMk1A has two under-wing pylons cleared to carry BL755 cluster bombs or Sidewinder AIM-9L air-to-air missiles, and can carry a 30mm Aden cannon in a pod underneath the fuselage centre-line. The cannon can be fired at the same time as any of the pylon-mounted weapons are selected for release or firing. Aiming facilities for the aircraft’s attack modes are provided by an integrated strike and interception system, while a Vinten video recording system is used to record the weapon sighting.

Hawk TMk1

The next generation Hawk aircraft, the Hawk 128, will enter service in 2008 as a replacement for some of the current Hawk TMk1s. The Hawk 128 will introduce student pilots to the digital cockpit environment they will experience in front-line operational service and will provide a seamless transition between basic flying training on the Tucano, and operational conversion training onto advanced fighter aircraft such as the Typhoon F2 and the Joint Combat Aircraft. The Hawk next generation TMk1 version is used as a fast-jet pilot advanced flying-training aircraft. Hawk  TMk1A version is used as an air-to-air and airto ground weapons training aircraft. Can be equipped with bombs, rockets and missiles making it suitable for a war role. A strong and rugged aircraft, which has been designed to cut training and maintenance costs. Airframe refurbishment and replacement programme will extend its life into the next decade.

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Nimrod MRA4 Aircraft Anti Unit Warfare

Nimrod MRA4 Aircraft

 The Nimrod MRA4 Aircraft is expected to start entering service with the RAF in 2007 and a total of 18 aircraft will replace the present MR2, which first entered service in the early 1980s. Although the
MRA4 Aircraft looks similar to the MR2, only the basic fuselage shell is shared between the two aircraft and the MRA4 will have completely new systems and a new, longer wing carrying advanced Rolls-Royce Deutschland (RRD) BR710 turbofan engines. The engines are 30% more fuel-efficient and 25% more powerful than the Rolls-Royce Spey 250 engines they replace. The aircraft’s maximum weight has increased from around 87 tonnes to approximately 104 tonnes and it can fly for longer periods than its predecessor with a bigger payload in both weapons and sensors.

The Nimrod MRA4 will have a multi-tasking role, which will include its main roles of anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface unit warfare, maritime reconnaissance and search and rescue but, in addition, it will be used in law enforcement tasks including anti-smuggling and anti-gun-running operations, fisheries protection and counter-terrorism duties.

The MRA4 operating crew will consist of two pilots and eight mission crew members operating new stateof- the-art radar, electronic and acoustic sensor systems. The new flight deck is an all-glass cockpit, which incorporates many of the systems, displays and integrated avionics developed for the Airbus series of civil airliners. There are a total of seven liquid-crystal, full colour displays - the seventh display presents tactical information fed from the sensor bays for use by the pilots. The aircraft navigation system incorporates an interfaced navigation computer and flight management computer, which automatically controls the aircraft using a laser inertial navigation system and two global-positioning systems.

Nimrod MRA4

The heart of the mission system is the entirely new Tactical Command System, which is based around the seven reconfigurable, high-resolution, multi-function colour display workstations used by the mission crew, plus the pilots’ tactical display. The primary sensor will be the Thales Searchwater 2000MR multi-mode search radar. This is a new, extremely high-performance radar designed for all-weather operation and optimised to have a high probability of tracking small targets in poor weather. It can automatically track over 100 surface contacts and can use a pulse-doppler mode for air contacts. Other sensors include electronic support measures, an acoustic detection system, magnetic anomaly detection equipment and an electro-optical surveillance and detection system. A new defensive-aids system will include a radar warning receiver, a missile approach receiver and integral chaff/flare dispensers.

Nimrod MRA4 Aircraft Anti Unit Warfare

The Nimrod MRA4 will carry an extensive range of weapons both underwing and in the weapons bay. The range will include Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Sting Ray torpedos, mines and over 150 sonobuoys. Weapons management will be conducted via a stores management system, which carries out inventory tracking control, air-to-air and air-to-sea weapon control, and built-in test and fault diagnostic systems. Nimrod MRA4 Aircraft is Only jet-powered maritime patrol aircraft in military service. Roles are anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare and search and rescue. Endurance of 15 hours, which can be extended by air refuelling. Crew of 10, which includes ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ sensor coordination teams. Completely new integrated Tactical Command Mission Control System. Weapons include Sting Ray torpedos, Harpoon anti ship missiles and mines.

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Nimrod MR2 Aircraft Anti Submarine

Nimrod MR2 Aircraft

The Nimrod MR1 Aircraft entered service in 1969, but was upgraded to Nimrod MR2 Aircraft standard in the early 1980s. While the flight deck and general systems remained the same, the Mission System was given a significant upgrade. The Nimrod is the only jet-powered maritime patrol aircraft in military service and offers the advantages of speed and height in transit, while still capable of operating for long on-task periods. It also offers a stealth element in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role as most propeller driven aircraft make a discrete resonance that is easily detectable by submerged submarines, whereas the jet noise of the Nimrod is much less detectable.

The Nimrod is used in three main roles: ASW, Anti Surface Unit Warfare (ASUW) and Search and Rescue (SAR). It has an unrefuelled endurance of around 10 hours, which can be extended by the use of air refuelling. The operating crew comprises two pilots and a flight engineer, two weapons systems officers (WSO) (tactical and routine), and a WSO who is the sensor and communications coordinator. He is supported by a team of three ‘wet’ weapons systems operators (WSOps) and four ‘dry’ WSOps. The ‘wet’ team supervise the aircraft’s acoustic processors, which monitor active and passive sonobuoys, whilst the ‘dry’ team manage a wide range of avionics and weapon systems which are essential to delivering Nimrod’s full capability.


The Nimrod’s offensive weapons include Sting Ray torpedos for use in the ASW role and Harpoon missiles for the ASUW role. For SAR purposes the aircraft has a selection of air deliverable, multi-seat dinghies and survival packs. For self-defence, the aircraft can be armed with four AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles carried under the wings. The aircraft can carry in excess of 200 sonobuoys internally, of several different types, both active and passive, which are delivered via two unpressurised 6-buoy rotary launchers and two pressurised single-shot launchers.

Nimrod MR2 Aircraft Anti Submarine

The majority of the Nimrod’s tasking comes from the Maritime Headquarters at Northwood. Peacetime work includes surface and sub-surface surveillance and the maintenance of a one-hour SAR standby in support of the Air Rescue Coordination Centre, collocated at RAF Kinloss. SAR tasks include long-range searches, assistance to SAR helicopters and coordination of search activities as an on-scene communication platform at major incidents. The aircraft routinely operates over the sea down to 200 feet, but is limited to 300 feet at night or in bad weather.

Nimrod aircraft are operated by Nos 120, 201 and 206 Squadrons, which are all based at RAF Kinloss, in Morayshire; RAF Kinloss is also the home of the Nimrod Operational Conversion Unit, No 42(R) Squadron. The Nimrod MR2 will continue in service until it is replaced by the MRA4, which is expected to enter service from 2007. Nimrod MR2 Aircraft is Only jet-powered maritime patrol aircraft in military service. Roles are anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare and search and rescue. Endurance of 10 hours, which can be extended by air refuelling. Crew of 13, which include ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ sensor coordination teams. Can carry Sting Ray torpedos, Harpoon antiship missiles, bombs and depth charges.

RAF Nimrod MR2 Aircraft

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Airbus A400M Aircraft

 Airbus A400M Aircraft

The mainstay of the RAF’s tactical and strategic airlift is the C-130 Hercules aircraft. A total
of 25 C-130K aircraft have been replaced by the C-130J and future plans include the replacement of the remainder of the fleet by 25 Airbus A400M Aircraft outsize, strategic-airlift aircraft in 2011. The aircraft, which is a collaborative venture involving the governments and industries of six European countries, will support the deployment of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force and will give the RAF a tactical and strategic-airlift aircraft capable of supporting all three Services in peace, crisis and wartime roles.

The A400M aircraft will be capable of carrying a load of 32 tonnes over a range of 2300nmls at speeds comparable with pure-jet military transports; furthermore, the range of the aircraft can be extended by the use of a removable, air refuelling probe mounted above the cockpit. The aircraft will be capable of equipment and chaff/flare dispensers. 

The cargo bay of the A400M aircraft will be controlled by one air loadmaster and can be configured for a number of roles: pure troop carrying, or a mixture of troops and support equipment; palletised cargo or military wheeled and tracked vehicles; two attack helicopters such as the Apache or Puma; or a mixture of light and heavy engineering equipment. Offloading equipment or stores after landing can be achieved using operating either at low-level (down to 150ft agl) or at high-level altitudes up to 40,000ft, and it will be able to deploy troops or equipment between and within theatres of operation either by parachute (up to 116 paratroopers), or by landing on short, unprepared or semi-prepared strips. The aircraft will also offer significant improvements in reliability, maintenance and operating costs over the C-130K fleet.

 Airbus A400M Aircraft

 The two pilot flight deck crew will have the benefit of an integrated, digital avionics system in the cockpit and a fly by wire control system. Additional systems will provide a night vision compatible glass cockpit complete with two head-up displays supported by at least five multi-function displays that will allow stateof the art avionics developments to be incorporated into the flight-deck design, so greatly reducing crew workload. The aircraft will be driven by four Europrop International (EPI) turboprop engines, which will be the most powerful turboprops developed to date in the western world, that will be light, easy to maintain and will consume 20% less fuel per mission relative to a similar turbofan engine.

 Airbus A400M Aircraft

 A modern defensiveaids suite will be fitted, incorporating radar and missile warning receivers, electronic-countermeasure equipment and chaff/flare dispensers. The cargo bay of the A400M will be controlled by one air loadmaster and can be configured for a number of roles: pure troop carrying, or a mixture of troops and support equipment; palletised cargo or military wheeled and tracked vehicles; two attack helicopters such as the Apache or Puma; or a mixture of light and heavy engineering equipment. Offloading equipment or stores after landing can be achieved using conventional ground equipment, the aircraft’s internal load-roller system, by airborne parachute or by gravity extraction from the aircraft’s rear ramp. The RAF sees the C-17 in the short term, combined with the A400M in the longer term, as the way ahead in providing the UK with a strategic airlift capability when and where it is required.

The Airbus A400M aircraft  is tactical and strategic airlift capability from unprepared strips. Short-strip, low-speed capability allows support to front-line destinations. Four advanced turboprops offering reliability, economy and easy maintenance. Range, speed and height comparable to military jet transport aircraft. Can carry up to 116 troops or 32 tonnes of freight over 2300nmls. Two-pilot, flight-deck crew supported by one air loadmaster.

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C-17A Globemaster III Aircraft

The C-17 Globemaster III is the latest addition to the RAF’s inventory of transport cargo aircraft. It is capable of rapid, strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases anywhere in the world or directly to more temporary forward operating bases owing to its short field capability. The design of the aircraft allows it to carry out high-angle, steep approaches at relatively slow speeds, thus allowing it to operate into small, austere airfields onto runways as short as 3,500 feet long and only 90 feet wide.

The C-17A Globemaster III aircraft can operate into and out of problematic sites such as those
surrounded by inhospitable terrain or made difficult by adverse weather conditions. The fully-integrated, electronic flight-deck and the advanced cargo-handling systems allow a basic crew of only two pilots and one air loadmaster to operate the aircraft. On the ground, the aircraft can be turned in a very small radius and its four Pratt & Whitney engines are fully reversible, giving it the ability to manoeuvre into and out of restricted parking or freight-offload areas at undeveloped strips.

C-17A Globemaster III Aircraft

 This enables the C-17 Globemaster III Aircraft to deliver cargo to small airfields with limited parking space in a shorter time, so increasing throughput where time on the ground is kept to a minimum. The C-17 can transport 100,000lbs of freight over 4,500 nautical miles whilst flying at heights in excess of 30,000 feet.

C-17A Globemaster III

Cargo is loaded on to the C-17 through a large rear door that can accommodate military vehicles
and palletised cargo. It can carry almost any of the Army’s air-transportable, outsized combat
equipment, ranging from a Challenger tank, to three Warrior armoured vehicles or 13 Landrovers, and
can carry a Chinook helicopter or three Apache-sized helicopters. It carries all its own role-equipment
and can fit centre-line seating, which increases the seating capacity from 54 side-wall seats to 102 seats. The aircraft can also be configured in the aeromedical evacuation role to carry a full stretcher fit. The C-17 needs little or no ground support equipment and if none is available it can perform a combat off-load where pallets are dropped from the aircraft ramp on to the taxiway or hardstanding.

C-17A Globemaster III Aircraft

The C-17 gives the RAF a long-range strategic heavylift transport aircraft that offers the ability to project and sustain an effective force close to a potential area of operations for combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions worldwide. The aircraft is a declared part of the UK’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force and the RAF is currently the only European force which can offer ‘outsize airlift’ assets from within its own inventory.

C-17A Globemaster III Specifications
Powerplant: Four Pratt and Whitney F117- PW-100 turbofans
Thrust: 40,400lbs each
Wingspan: 52m (170ft 8ins)
Length: 53m (174ft)
Height: 16.79m (55ft 2ins)
Max T/O weight: 265,909kg (585,000lbs)
Max range: 4,700nmls
Max speed: Mach 0.875
Max altitude: 45,000ft

Long-range, strategic heavy-lift transport aircraft. Capable of operating into austere strips with short runways and limited facilities. Basic crew of two pilots and one air loadmaster. Can carry ‘outsize’ loads up to 135,000lbs single-item weight. Self-supporting, needing little or no ground equipment for offload of cargo. Declared part of the UK’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force.

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C-130 Hercules Series Aircraft

The C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft is the workhorse of the RAF’s Air Transport
(AT) fleet and is based at RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, where it is operated by Nos 24, 30, 47 and
70 Squadrons. Also based at RAF Lyneham is No 57(R) Squadron, which is the Hercules Operational Conversion Unit. The fleet totals 50 aircraft and is a mixture of CMk1/CMk3 aircraft and the new C-130J aircraft, designated CMk4/CMk5.

C-130 CMk1 Hercules and C-130 Mk3 Hercules 

The C-130 CMk1 Hercules and C-130 Mk3 Hercules aircraft are used primarily to carry troops, passengers or freight and are capable of carrying up to 128 passengers, or 20 tonnes of palletised freight or vehicles, for up to 2000nmls. The freight bay can accommodate a range of wheeled or tracked vehicles, or up to seven palettes of general freight. 

 In the aeromedical evacuation role either 64 or 82 stretchers can be carried, depending on the mark of aircraft and the stretcher configuration. The maximum unrefuelled ferry range is 3500nmls, which can be extended to over 4000nmls by air refuelling. The other main role of the C-130 is Transport Support (TS), which is the airborne delivery of personnel or stores by airdrop. In this role the aircraft supports airborne operations conducted by 16 Air Assault Brigade by the aerial delivery of paratroops, stores and equipment. The aircraft is particularly valuable in its TS role as it can be operated from unprepared and semiprepared surfaces by day or by night.

The majority of aircraft are fitted with defensive Infrared counter-measure equipment, whilst some aircraft used for special tasks have an additional, enhanced defensive-aids suite comprising a Skyguardian radar-warning receiver, a chaff and flare counter-measure dispensing system and a missile approach warning system. The CMk3 is also equipped with station keeping equipment, which enables the aircraft to maintain its airborne position in a large formation in thick cloud or bad weather where the other formation members cannot be seen. The aircraft are receiving an ongoing avionics, electrical and structural upgrade, which will enable them to remain the workhorse of the AT fleet into the next decade.

C-130 CMk4 Hercules and C-130 CMk5 Hercules

A total of 25 C-130 CMk1 Hercules Aircraft and C-130 CMk3 Hercules Aircraft are being replaced by the C-130J CMk4/CMk5 on a one-for-one basis. The CMk4 is almost the same size as the current CMk3 aircraft, but with a slightly longer fuselage, while the CMk5 is the same size as the CMk1. The C-130J has been modified and upgraded to include new Allison AE turboprop engines and Dowty Aerospace sixbladed composite propellers. 

The new engines and advanced propellers, coupled with a new digital enginecontrol system, give the C-130J increased take-off thrust and better fuel efficiency; thus the external fuel tanks have been omitted. The aircraft also has a revised flight deck with modern glass-cockpit and head-up displays, allowing two-pilot, flight deck operation. The cockpit is fully night-vision compatible with the use of nightvision goggles. A separate air loadmaster station has been established in the cargo hold. The aircraft is restricted to an AT role at the moment, pending military clearance for wider use in the tactical TS role.

The defensive-aids suite includes a missile warning system linked to the directional, Infrared counter-measure system, a radar warning receiver and a chaff or flare dispensing system. The defensive system helps protect the aircraft against surface-to-air and air-to-air Infrared seeking weapons that may be encountered during operations.

C-130 Hercules Specifications
Powerplant: Four Allison AE 2100D3 turboprops
Thrust: 4591shp each
Propeller: Dowty R39 six-blade variable pitch propeller
Wing span: 40.38m (132ft 7ins)
Tailplane span: 16.04m (52ft 8ins)
Length: 34.34m (ll2ft 9ins) (CMk4) 29.77m (97ft 9ins) (CMk5)
Range: 3000nmls
Max speed: 340kts (400mph)
Max altitude: 32,000ft

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Canberra PR9 Aircraft RAF Marham

Number 39 (1 PRU) Squadron is the only remaining Canberra squadron in service with the RAF and is based at RAF Marham, in Norfolk. Its role in peacetime is photographic and electro-optical reconnaissance, strategic air reconnaissance to meet overseas intelligence requirements, aerial surveys within the UK and overseas, and occasional low-level tasks. In transition to war, the role becomes medium-level, high-level and long-range oblique imagery capture in support of UK or Coalition Operations. To achieve its task, the Squadron operates four Canberra PR9 (Photographic Reconnaissance) aircraft. 

 The PR9 was the final development of the Canberra airframe and first entered service with No 39 Squadron in October 1962. Sensors and navigation equipment have since been updated, but the engines and airframe remain essentially the same.

Currently, the aircraft sensor-fit includes a survey camera, a panoramic camera and a long-range electrooptical camera. The survey camera is used mainly to produce vertical images on 9-inch square negatives for mapping purposes. The panoramic camera, which can be directed to any position from the horizon to the vertical, produces a swathe of negatives giving an oblique image of a target. The electro-optical camera can produce only oblique images, but the imagery can be highly magnified and transmitted to ground stations via an on-board datalink.

In addition to the sensor platform updates, the PR9 has a much-enhanced navigation suite and, to improve survival in operational theatres, it has been fitted with a Skyguardian Radar Warning Receiver, and an Electronic Protective Measures suite, which dispenses chaff and Infrared decoy flares from packs mounted internally in the underside of the wings. During its earlier life, the PR9 had a low-level and medium-level night reconnaissance role using Infrared Line Scan equipment, but its current role is restricted to daytime reconnaissance.

With a pilot and weapons systems officer crew, the aircraft regularly operates at heights above 40,000ft and can remain airborne for up to 41/2 hours, although it cannot be refuelled in the air. The Squadron recently saw operational service over Afghanistan and Iraq and has continued to provide surveillance and survey imagery of Kosovo and the Balkans over the last six years.

Canberra PR9 Aircraft Specifications
Powerplant: Two Rolls-Royce Avon Mk 206 turbofans
Thrust: 11,250lbs (each)
Wing span: 20.66m (67ft 10ins)
Length: 20.36m (66ft 10ins)
Height: 4.75m (15ft 7ins)
Max T/O weight: 24,227kg (53,300lbs)
Max speed: 450kts (520mph)
Max altitude: 48,000ft

• In service since 1962, but has received modern sensor updates.

• Used for photographic and electro-optical reconnaissance and aerial surveys.

• Provides medium-level, high-level and longrange oblique imagery in wartime.

• Sensors include survey, panoramic and longrange electro-optical cameras.

• Used only in the daytime reconnaissance role.

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Nimrod R1 Intelligence Gathering Aircraft

Nimrod R1 Aircraft RAF 51 Squadron

The Nimrod R1 Aircraft is a derivative of the Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft and is operated by No 51 Squadron, from RAF Waddington. The Nimrod R1 has a highly sophisticated and sensitive suite of systems used for reconnaissance and gathering electronic intelligence. The ability of the Nimrod to transit at high speed and then loiter in an operational area at lower speed for long periods makes it ideally suited to the task. Air refuelling can extend the Nimrod R1’s endurance should the task demand.

Nimrod R1 Aircraft

The Nimrod R1 is operated by a four-man flight deck crew of two pilots, a flight engineer and a weapons systems officer, and an electronic reconnaissance crew of 24 reconnaissance-equipment operators commanded by a mission supervisor. The aircraft is fitted with two inertial navigation systems and a satellite-based global positioning system to assist in the requirement for accurate navigation. The Nimrod R1 can be distinguished from the maritime MR2 aircraft by the absence of the tail-mounted Magnetic Anomaly Detector boom.

Nimrod R1 Aircraft Specifications
Powerplant: Four Rolls-Royce Spey 251 turbofans
Thrust: 12,140lbs each
Wingspan: 35m (114ft 9ins)
Length: 35.86m (117ft 8ins)
Height: 9.14m (30ft 2ins)
Max T/O weight: 83,636kg (184,000lbs)
Internal Fuel: 38,182kg (84,000lbs)
Max endurance: 10hrs (internal fuel)
Max Speed: 360kts (420mph)
Max altitude: 44,000ft

• Jet-powered reconnaissance and electronic intelligence gathering aircraft.

• Carries a highly sophisticated and sensitive suite of systems.

• Able to transit at high speed and then loiter at lower speed for long periods.

• Endurance of 10 hours, which can be extended by air refuelling.

• Carries two inertial navigation systems and a global positioning system.

Nimrod R1 Aircraft RAF Maritime Patrol
Yet another example of the Governments stupidity in undermining the defence of the UK, by prematurely getting rid of the last remaining Nimrod R1 aircraft which were based at RAF Waddington Lincolnshire.. With nothing to replace them until at least 2014, it beggers belief as to what Mr Cameron and Co think they are doing, they should, in my humble opinion, be charged with putting the safety of the UK and its dependents in jeopardy.

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Sentinel R Mk1 RAF Airborne Stand Off Radar

The Sentinel R Mk1 Airborne Stand-Off Radar System (ASTOR=Airborne Stand Off Radar) will provide a long-range, battlefield-intelligence, targetimaging and tracking radar for the RAF and the Army and will have surveillance applications in peacetime, wartime and in crisis operations. The prime contractor selected to provide the ASTOR system is Raytheon Systems Limited, using the Bombardier Global Express aircraft as the air platform. The system comprises three basic components, or segments. 

The first segment is the air platform, a modified twin-engined Global Express business jet, called the Sentinel R Mk1 Aircraft by the RAF, equipped with a radar system capable of both Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Moving Target Indicator (MTI) functions. The SAR will enable allweather, day and night reconnaissance and surveillance to be carried out; the MTI will enable the operators to monitor the activity of mobile ground targets. The second segment is the transportable and mobile ground stations that will process, analyse and exploit the information data-linked by the air platform and present it in a variety of formats to commanders, tacticians and weapons operators on the battlefield. Finally, the support segment provides important mission-support functionality such as mission-planning and mission-data reply at the main operating base at RAF Waddington or for subsequent deployment.

A two pilot flight-deck crew will operate the aircraft, with a mission controller and two air-imagery analysts forming the rear crew. The aircraft, currently in production as an ultra-long range business jet, will be modified to include a radome under the forward fuselage to house the radar and datalink antennas, and a radome on the upper fuselage to house the SATCOM antenna. The aircraft can operate at up to 50,000ft, with a ferry range in excess of 5000nmls and with a mission endurance of over 14 hours. The engines used by the ASTOR aircraft are the Rolls-Royce Deutschland (RRD) BR710 engines, which are the same as those used on the Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol aircraft. Defensive aids will include a radar warning receiver, a missile warning system, a towed radar decoy and chaff and flare dispensers.

  
The radar is an upgraded version of the Raytheon ASARS-2 radar used on the U-2 aircraft and will be capable of providing high resolution images of the battlefield at ranges of several hundred kilometres and from altitudes as high as 47,000ft. The SAR aspect of the radar will provide high-quality images of the area surveyed, while the MTI aspect will simultaneously track moving vehicles operating in the area. The SAR can be operated in spot mode to identify and track the direction and speed of specific targets, or can be switched to swath mode to provide a large number of picture strips which join together to form a detailed image of the surveyed area. These images can be exploited by the airborne mission crew or transmitted in real time via secure data-links, satellite communications or ground networks to mobile or transportable ground-based processing stations, which display them as visual images for inclusion in reports transmitted to land force and/or air commanders.

Airborne Stand Off Radar (ASTOR) is due to enter RAF service in 2005 when it will become the most advanced long-range, airborne-surveillance system of its kind in the world. Five Sentinel R Mk1 Aircraft will be purchased and operated by No 5(AC) Squadron, based at RAF Waddington, where they will form one arm of the UK surveillance triad of Sentinel R1, E-3D Sentry and Nimrod R1.

Sentinel R Mk1 Specifications
Powerplant: Two RRD BR710 turbofans
Thrust: 14,9000lbs
Wingspan: 28.65m (94ft 3ins)
Length: 30.3m (99ft 5ins)
Height: 7.57m (24ft 10ins)
Max T/O weight: 42,500kg (93,500lbs)
Max endurance: 15hrs (internal fuel)
Max speed: Mach 0.88
Max altitude: 51,000ft

• Long-range, battlefield-intelligence airborne radar aircraft for the RAF and the Army.

• Full day or night capability with a radar able to penetrate cloud, rain or smoke.

• Stand-off capability of several hundred kilometres, at altitudes up to 50,000ft.

• Provides high quality, radar ground images and tracks mobile targets.

• Near-real-time, secure data-link transmissions to mobile ground stations.

• Forms one arm of the ISTAR triad of Sentinel R1, E-3D Sentry and Nimrod R1.

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E-3D Sentry AEW1 RAF Airborne

The RAF operates seven E-3D Sentry  AEW1 aircraft (AWACS) in the airborne surveillance and command-and control role. The aircraft are based at RAF Waddington, where they are operated by Nos 8 and 23 Squadrons as the UK’s contribution to the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force. The E-3D Sentry AWACS also forms one arm of the UK Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) triad of Sentinel R1, E-3D Sentry AEW1 aircraft and Nimrod R1 aircraft. 

Whilst primarily procured as an airborne early warning aircraft, the E-3D has been extensively employed in the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) role. The E3-D Sentry, known to the RAF as the AEW Mk1, is based on the commercial Boeing 707-320B aircraft, which has been extensively modified and updated to accommodate modern mission systems. Mission endurance is approximately 10 hours (over 5000nmls), although this can be extended by air refuelling. The E3-D is the only aircraft in the RAF’s inventory capable of air refuelling by both the American ‘flying-boom’ system and the RAF’s ‘probe-and-drogue’ method.

The normal crew complement of 18 comprises four flight-deck crew, three technicians and an 11-man mission crew. The mission crew comprises a tactical director (mission crew commander), a fighter allocator, three weapons controllers, a surveillance controller, two surveillance operators, a data-link manager, a communications operator and an electronic-supportmeasures operator. The Sentry’s roles include air and sea surveillance, airborne command and control, weapons control and it can also operate as an extensive communications platform.

The aircraft cruises at 30,000ft and 400kts and its Northrop Grumman AN/APY-2 high-performance, multi-mode lookdown radar, housed in the black radome, is able to separate airborne and maritime targets from ground and sea clutter. One E-3D Sentry AEW1 flying at 30,000ft can scan over 312 kms, it can detect low-flying targets or maritime surface contacts within 215nmls and it can detect medium-level airborne targets at ranges in excess of 280nmls. The multi mode radar provides lookdown surveillance to the radar horizon and an electronic vertical scan of the radar beam provides target elevation and beyond-the-horizon operation for longrange surveillance of medium and high-altitude aircraft. 

These attributes allow it to determine the location, altitude, course and speed of large numbers of airborne targets. The aircraft’s mission systems can separate, manage and display targets individually on situation displays within the aircraft, or it can transmit the information to ground-based and ship-based units using a wide variety of digital data links.

The communications systems provide the required internal and external communications to support the AWACS command-and-control mission. The aircraft has a multi UHF/VHF/HF radio fit to provide secure digital data links, secure-voice or clear-voice radio communications and secure satellite communications for extended-range operations. A planned upgrade programme will include new mission display-consoles, increased radio and satcom capacity and improvements to the AN/APY-2 radar.

E-3D Sentry AEW1 Specifications
Powerplant: Four CFM 56 2A-3 turbofans
Thrust: 24,0001bs each
Wingspan: 44.98m (147ft 7ins)
Length: 46.68m (153ft 3ins)
Height: 12.7m (41ft 7ins)
Max T/O weight: 151,136kg (332,500lbs)
Max endurance: 11 hours
Max speed: 460kts (530mph)
Max altitude: 35,000ft plus

• Operates in air and sea surveillance and airborne command-and-control roles.

• Crew of 18, including an 11-man missioncontrol crew.

• Flying at 30,000ft it can scan 312 kms at ranges up to 280nmls.

• Multi-mode lookdown radar separates targets from ground and sea clutter.

• Transmits information to ground units or ships using digital data links.

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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter RAF Air Power

The Joint Strike Fighter, which is being built by Lockheed Martin as the F35 Lightning II, will be known in UK service as the Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) and will replace the RAF and RN’s Harriers from 2012. Although Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor, the UK is a Level 1 partner with the US and a number of British companies, including BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, will have extensive involvement in building and developing the aircraft. 

The UK version will be a multirole fighter/attack aircraft designed to operate as a STOVL aircraft from land bases and from the next generation of aircraft carriers being built for the RN. This will give the UK a world-beating land-based and sea-based joint expeditionary air power capability well into the middle of the Century. When the JCA enters service, it will be able to operate in all weathers, by day and by night, for defence of the fleet and for the offensive air support of ground forces. This support will range from close air support to long-range interdiction, as well as anti-surface warfare and tactical reconnaissance. The aircraft will offer several advantages over the Harrier: supersonic flight, improved survivability, internal and external weapons carriage, an increased range and easier supply and maintenance.

The JCA design applies stealth technology techniques and, to minimise its radar signature, the airframe has identical sweep angles for the leading and trailing edges of the wing and tail, and incorporates sloping sides for the fuselage and the canopy. As a further signaturereduction measure, the seam of the canopy and the weapon-bay doors are saw-toothed and the vertical tails are canted at an angle. To achieve the smallest signature possible the aircraft will have the ability to carry a range
of weapons internally, rather than carried underneath the aircraft as in current fighters.

The main radar system will be a newly developed, electronically scanned array multi-function radar with synthetic aperture capabilities. Targeting information will be supplied by an electro-optical system, which will provide long-range detection and precision targeting by employing thermal imaging, laser tracking and marking, and a forward-looking Infrared system. The aircraft’s systems will also provide navigation, missile warning and Infrared search and track capability.

Early production aircraft will be powered by a Pratt and Whitney F-135 turbofan engine, but there are plans for subsequent aircraft to be offered with a choice of an interchangeable F-136 engine being developed by General Electric. Vertical lift and hover will be achieved by means of a Rolls-Royce developed lift-fan system. Doors installed above and below the vertical fan open as the fan powers up to provide vertical lift. This vertical lift is used in conjunction with the main engine exhaust nozzle at the rear of the aircraft, which swivels down from the horizontal to provide the required lift. The JCA will place the RAF at the forefront of aviation technology and will give it a multi-role aircraft that will
surpass any aircraft or weapons system in production today, or envisaged in the foreseeable future. Coupled with the Typhoon F2, which is now entering service, it will give the RAF an air-power capability second to none.

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Typhoon F2 Fighter RAF Generation

Eurofighter Typhoon F2 Fighter, is an agile, single seat, multi-role aircraft optimised for high altitude supersonic air superiority, but capable of operating throughout the complete range of air defence and ground attack roles. It is being built by a four-nation consortium comprised of European partner companies from the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain. 

The airframe, which is constructed mainly from carbon fibre composite materials and lightweight alloys, is powered by two EJ 200 engines each producing 20,000lbs of thrust in full afterburner. In full air-to-air configuration the engines provide a thrust-to-weight ratio of 1 to 1.3, which enables the Typhoon F2 to fly at Mach 2 at 65,000 feet, reach an altitude of 36,000 feet in less than two minutes and to accelerate from 200kts to 700kts in 30 seconds. The Typhoon F2 can carry the full current range of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, including Paveway Laser Guided Bombs, Brimstone anti-armour missiles and the Storm Shadow stand-off cruise missile.

The RAF Typhoon F2 Fighter is equipped with a highly advanced avionics suite with the main sensor being the ECR 90 multi-mode radar that incorporates Non Co-operative Target Recognition. The aircraft is also equipped with an Infrared Search and Track system, a Multifunction Information and Distribution System data link and a fully automatic Defensive Aids Sub-system. The Typhoon F2 Fighter has a wide-angle head-up display complemented by a helmet-mounted display which shows the flight reference data, weapon aiming and cueing and the forward looking infrared imagery. The cockpit also contains three multifunction, full colour, head-down displays and is fully night vision compatible with the use of night-vision goggles. The key to Typhoon’s success will be the ability to fuse all of this data into a single usable format and present it quickly and effectively to the pilot; a process called sensor fusion.

The Typhoon F2 cockpit has been designed to minimise workload for the pilot by allowing all of the avionics to be controlled by direct voice input as part of the Voice Throttle and Stick system. This system allows all functions to be carried out by the pilot without the need to remove his hands from the aircraft controls. The direct voice input allows the pilot to carry out mode selection and data entry using voice command, while the stick and throttle houses fingertip controls for sensor and weapon control, defence aids management and in flight handling.

The Typhoon F2 will replace the Tornado F3 and Jaguar GR3. Current plans indicate that the Typhoon frontline will comprise seven squadrons, of which four will be primarily air defence, two will be multi-role squadrons and one will be a fighter bomber squadron. This combination will give the RAF a very wide range of ground attack and reconnaissance capabilities. Eurofighter Typhoon F2 gives the RAF a world beating 4th generation multi-role fighter aircraft capable of dominating the airspace against any currently perceived future threat.

RAF Typhoon F2 Fighter Specifications
Powerplant: Two Eurojet EJ200 turbofans
Thrust: 20,000lbs each
Wingspan: 10.95m (35ft 11ins)
Length: 15.96m (52ft 4ins)
Height: 5.28m (17ft 4ins)
Max T/O weight: 21,044kg (46,297lbs)
Max range: 1000nmls plus
Max speed: Mach 2
Max altitude: 65,000ft

• High performance, single seat, multi-role fighter aircraft.

• Optimised for air superiority, but with a full ground attack and reconnaissance capability.

• Carries a full range of air-to-air and air-toground weapons.

• Highly advanced avionics including Voice Throttle and Stick control system.

• Capable of automatically fusing all radar and weapons inputs for presentation to the pilot.

• World beating 4th generation aircraft capable of combating any perceived threat.

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Jaguar GR3 Fighter Bomber

The RAF’s GR1 Jaguar fleet has recently undergone a major upgrade programme and the aircraft has been redesignated the Jaguar GR3. The upgrade gave the aircraft improved avionics, including global-positioning and terrain-referenced navigation systems integrated into the aircraft’s inertial navigation system, a military-standard 1553 databus, internal and external night-vision-goggle compatible lighting, and new head-up and head-down displays.

The weapons upgrade included a helmet-mounted sight and an Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) capability. The Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 104 turbofan engines are being upgraded to the Adour Mk 106 engines, which are more powerful and economical than the Mk 104s, especially for high and hot operations. The aircraft can be deployed quickly anywhere in the world to conduct operations in the offensive counter air, air interdiction, close air support and tactical reconnaissance roles.

The RAF’s Jaguars are all based at RAF Coltishall, which is home for the three operational squadrons, Nos 6 Squadron, 41(F) and 54(F) Squadrons, and the Jaguar Operational Conversion Unit, No 16(R) Squadron. All three operational squadrons are able to conduct attack and reconnaissance operations, although Nos 6 and 54(F) Squadrons are primarily attack squadrons, while No 41(F) Squadron is primarily a reconnaissance squadron.

The Jaguar GR3 Fighter is capable of carrying 1000lb retard and freefall bombs, BL755 and RBL755 cluster bombs, Paveway II and Paveway III laser guided bombs (LGB) and CRV-7 rocket pods. For self-defence it is equipped with a Skyguardian radar warning receiver, an electronic counter measures pod, and chaff and flare dispensers. It can also carry two 30mm Aden cannons and two overwing mounted AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
 
The GR3 can be fitted with an external fuel tank on the centreline pylon, or two under-wing mounted tanks. In the reconnaissance role, the GR3A can carry the Joint Reconnaissance Pod, which contains various electronically scanned sensors, a number of electro-optical camera options and an Infrared Line Scanner. It can also carry the Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designation (TIALD) pod for self-designation or cooperative designation of targets during LGB operations. RAF Jaguars participated extensively in the Gulf War in 1991, and have subsequently been involved in many operations in the Middle East and the Balkans. They deploy regularly for exercises to North America, Europe and the Middle East, where they operate in diverse conditions ranging from deserts to arctic tundra.

Jaguar GR3 Specifications
Powerplant: Two Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour turbofans
Thrust: 8249lbs each
Wingspan: 8.69m (28ft 6ins)
Length: 16.83m (55ft 2ins)
Height: 4.89m (16ft 1ins)
Max T/O weight: 15,733kg (34,612lbs)
Fuel internal: 3344kg (7357lbs)
Fuel external: 2850kg (6270lbs) (three drop tanks)
Max speed: Mach 1.4
Max altitude: 46,000ft

• Operates in the offensive counter air, close air support and tactical reconnaissance roles.

• Recent major avionics, navigation and weapons systems upgrade.

• Full electro-optical reconnaissance capability at medium and low level.

• Carries laser target marking equipment for self-designation or cooperative designation.

• First RAF aircraft to be fitted with a helmet mounted missile sighting system.

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Harrier GR7 Fighter Multi Role Combat

The Harrier GR7 Fighter is a single seat, multi role combat aircraft that can operate in extreme environments and from a wide selection of locations, including deployed air bases and aircraft carriers. The old GR3 model famously saw operation with the RN during the Falklands Campaign in 1982 and today’s GR7 maintains the maritime link by working as part of the JFH. In its role as part of the JFH, the RAF’s GR7 force remains ready to deploy anywhere in the world with the RN’s Sea Harriers as part of a naval task force.

The Harrier’s unique feature is its ability to vector the Pegasus-engine thrust. This vectored thrust enables it to operate from short landing surfaces and to take off and land vertically. The jet efflux is directed out of four nozzles, which move in unison from a rearwardpointing position for conventional flight to a position where the nozzles point directly below the aircraft to allow it to hover. The single Pegasus engine produces 21,500lbs of thrust.

The flying controls work on the ‘Hands-on-Throttleand Stick’ system (HOTAS), enabling the most important weapons and avionics functions to be operated by the pilot without having to remove his hands from the controls. Information is displayed to the pilot through the Head-Up Display (HUD) and is also presented on two multi-purpose colour displays (MPCDs). The pilot can use the MPCDs to display almost any system information, including the aircraft’s position on a moving map display, and the weapon load being carried. The MPCD’s can also display target pictures obtained from the aircraft’s sensors.

The picture from the Dual Mode Tracker, a six times magnification television camera mounted on the nose, or from the Maverick missile seeker head, can also be displayed, together with a Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designator (TIALD) tracking-and-target picture if a TIALD pod is carried. During night operations, the Forward Looking Infrared picture is presented on a MPCD and is also overlaid onto the HUD. All the displays are compatible with night-vision goggles, which gives the Harrier its ability to operate by night, at low level.

The Harrier GR7 Fighter can carry a full range of air-to-ground weapons, including Paveway II and Paveway III laser guided bombs, BL 755 cluster bombs, CRV-7 rockets and Maverick missiles. For defensive purposes, the Harrier can also be armed with AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and it is fitted with a radar warning receiver, an electronic jamming pod, a missile approach warning system and chaff and flare dispensers.

When flying at low level the Harrier cruises at 420kts (480mph) and then typically increases speed to 480kts (550mph) when delivering weapons. This gives it a low-level combat radius of approximately 250nmls. When operating at medium level the Harrier cruises at 0.75 Mach and has a combat radius of approximately 350nmls. These ranges vary upon the tasking requirement and weapon load being carried and can be increased by the use of in-flight refuelling. The Harrier is a very capable aircraft and has proven to be a valuable asset over the past few years in many campaigns including those in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq. The GR7 will soon undergo a series of major improvements, with changes to both the avionics and to the engine, and will be redesignated the Harrier GR9 Fighter.

Harrier GR7 Specifications
Powerplant: RR Pegasus Mk 105 turbofan
Thrust: 21,750lbs
Wingspan: 9.25m (30ft 4ins)
Length: 14.36m (47ft 2ins)
Height: 3.55m (11ft 8ins)
Max STO weight: 14,091kg (31,000lbs)
Max VTO weight: 8614kg (18,950lbs)
Fuel internal: 3527kg (7,759lbs)
Fuel external: 3669kg (8071lbs) (four drop tanks)
Max speed: 575kts (661mph)
Max altitude: 43,000ft

• Multi-role combat aircraft capable of vertical or short take-off and landing.

• Part of Joint Force Harrier (JFH), operating from land bases or aircraft carriers.

• Comprehensive weapons capability including bombs, rockets or missiles.

• Can operate at night, at low level, using nightvision goggles.

• Cockpit gives navigation and weapons information on multi-purpose colour displays.

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Tornado GR4 Fighter Laser and Infrared Tecnology

The Tornado GR4 is a variable geometry, twoseat, day or night, all-weather attack aircraft, capable of delivering a wide variety of weapons. Powered by two Rolls Royce RB 199 Mk 103 turbofan engines, the GR4 is capable of low-level supersonic flight and can sustain a high subsonic cruise speed. 

The aircraft can fly automatically at low level using terrain-following radar when poor weather prevents visual flight. The aircraft is also equipped with forward-looking Infrared and is night-vision goggle compatible, making it a capable platform for passive night operations. For navigation purposes, the Tornado is equipped with an integrated global positioning inertial navigation system that can also be updated with visual or radar inputs. The GR4 is also equipped with a Laser Ranger and Marked Target Seeker system that can be used for ground designation or can provide accuraterange information on ground targets.

The Tornado GR4 can carry up to three Paveway II, two Paveway III or Enhanced Paveway Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs), and by using a Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designation (TIALD) pod it is able to self-designate targets for LGB delivery. The GR4 also has a ground mapping radar to identify targets for the delivery of conventional 1000lb bombs and BL755 cluster bombs. All GR4 aircraft are capable of carrying the Air Launched Anti-Radiation Missile (ALARM), which homes on the emitted radiation of enemy radar systems and can be used for the suppression of enemy air defences.

The GR4 is capable of carrying up to nine ALARM missiles or a mixed configuration of ALARM missiles and bombs. In the reconnaissance role the GR4 can carry the Joint Reconnaissance Pod to provide detailed reconnaissance imagery; this is currently being replaced with the RAPTOR pod, which provides an even greater day-and-night reconnaissance potential.

For self-protection, the Tornado GR4 is normally armed with two AIM-9L Sidewinder short-range, air-to-air missiles, a BOZ-107 Pod on the right wing to dispense chaff and flares and a Sky Shadow-2 electronic counter-measures pod on the left wing. The aircraft can also carry an integral 27mm Mauser cannon capable of firing 1700 rounds per minute.

The Tornado GR4 is now being equipped with the Storm Shadow missile and will soon be equipped with the new Brimstone missile. The Storm Shadow will allow the Tornado to make precision strikes in poor weather with a greatly increased stand-off range from the target area. Brimstone will provide the Tornado with an effective anti-armour weapon, also providing an enhanced stand-off range.

The Tornado GR4 is currently operated from two bases. Based at RAF Lossiemouth are the Operational Conversion Unit, No 15(R) Squadron, and Nos 12, 14 and 617 Squadrons. RAF Marham, the home of the GR4s of Nos 9(B) and 31 Squadrons, also houses the GR4As of Nos II(AC) and 13 Squadrons. The GR4A is equipped with the Tornado Infrared Reconnaissance system, which provides a low-level tactical reconnaissance capability.

Tornado GR4 Specifications
Powerplant: Two Turbo Union RB199 turbofans
Thrust: 16,000lbs each
Wingspan: 8.6 metres (28ft 2ins) to 13.91 metres (45ft 7ins)
Length: 16.72m (54ft 10ins)
Height: 5.95m (19ft 6ins)
Max T/O weight: 28,059kg (61,729lbs)
Fuel internal: 5141kg (11,310lbs)
Fuel external: 1800kg (3960lbs) (under wing tanks)
Max speed: Mach 1.3
Max altitude: 50,000ft

• Variable swept-wing, all-weather strike or reconnaissance aircraft.

• Terrain-following radar, forward-looking Infrared and night-vision goggles give it a full
night capability.

• Laser target-marker allows self-designation of target for laser guided bomb operations.

• Full air-to-ground weapons capability including suppression of enemy air-defence systems.

• Infrared system enables the GR4A to conduct low-level, tactical reconnaissance missions.

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