Tornado F3
So what about the aircraft we fly? What does it do? How big is it?
The Tornado F3 is a two-crew, variable geometry wing aircraft powered by two RB 199 Mk104 afterburning turbofan engines fitted with thrust reversers for short landing operations.
The aircraft is armed with a 27mm cannon which can be used in both the air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. It also carries 4 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and 4 Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missiles (ASRAAM).
AMRAAM is an active radar missile produced by the US company Ratheon, and ASRAAM is an imaging infra-red, heat-seeking missile produced by the European consortium MBDA.
The Tornado F3 is also equipped with the Foxhunter air-to-air radar, giving it an all weather, day and night, air intercept capability. When coupled with the aircraft’s Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) it gives both crew members exceptional situational awareness.
The primary role of the Tornado F3 is defense of UK Sovereign Territory, regularly scrambling to intercept and identify intruders into UK airspace. We have aircraft, aircrew and engineers on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Length 18.7 m (61 ft 4 in)
Wingspan - 25 deg sweep 13.9 m (45 ft 7 in)
- 67 deg sweep 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)
Height to top of fin 5.9m (19 ft 6 in)
Take-off weight - typical 21,500 kg (47,500 lb)
- max 28,000 kg (61,700 lb)
Engine thrust - max dry 40.5 kN (9,100 lb)
- max reheat 73.0 kN (16,400 lb)
Maximum speed Mach 2.2 (2,340 km/h 1,450 mph)
Range 1,400 km (890 mi)
Ceiling 15,250 m (50,000 ft)
The Tornado F3 is a two-crew, variable geometry wing aircraft powered by two RB 199 Mk104 afterburning turbofan engines fitted with thrust reversers for short landing operations.
The aircraft is armed with a 27mm cannon which can be used in both the air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. It also carries 4 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and 4 Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missiles (ASRAAM).
AMRAAM is an active radar missile produced by the US company Ratheon, and ASRAAM is an imaging infra-red, heat-seeking missile produced by the European consortium MBDA.
The Tornado F3 is also equipped with the Foxhunter air-to-air radar, giving it an all weather, day and night, air intercept capability. When coupled with the aircraft’s Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) it gives both crew members exceptional situational awareness.
The primary role of the Tornado F3 is defense of UK Sovereign Territory, regularly scrambling to intercept and identify intruders into UK airspace. We have aircraft, aircrew and engineers on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Length 18.7 m (61 ft 4 in)
Wingspan - 25 deg sweep 13.9 m (45 ft 7 in)
- 67 deg sweep 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)
Height to top of fin 5.9m (19 ft 6 in)
Take-off weight - typical 21,500 kg (47,500 lb)
- max 28,000 kg (61,700 lb)
Engine thrust - max dry 40.5 kN (9,100 lb)
- max reheat 73.0 kN (16,400 lb)
Maximum speed Mach 2.2 (2,340 km/h 1,450 mph)
Range 1,400 km (890 mi)
Ceiling 15,250 m (50,000 ft)
