Modern Warfare

The Tornado is remarkable in many ways. It is a true multi-role combat aircraft, and was known as MRCA for several years before being christened Tornado in March 1976. It was born out of a vital need for rationalization of equipment within NATO and is, indeed, international. The manufacturers, Panavia GmbH, are a consortium of British Aerospace (BAe), Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) and Aeritalia (AIT), while the engines are built by Turbo-Union, formed by Rolls-Royce, Motoren and Turbinen Union (MTU) and Fiat. Apart from the final assembly lines for complete aircraft, there is no duplication of manufacture within the programme. Tornado has proved that collaboration can work to produce a combat aircraft to satisfy the needs of four air arms. To do this, two basic designs were evolved, the interdictor-strike (IDS) aircraft and the air defence variant (ADV). In addition to the nine prototypes and six pre-series aircraft, 805 production aircraft were initially required. Four of the pre-series aircraft are to be refurbished and bought up to full production standard, and the resulting 809 aircraft are being distributed as follows: 96 IDS for the German Marineflieger and 228 IDS for the Luftwaffe; 100 IDS for the Aeronautica Militare Italiana; and 220 IDS (GR.1) and 165 ADV (18 F.2/2A plus 147 F.3) for the RAF. Despite several attempts to sell Tornado to Canada, Australia, Spain and Greece, the first export order (for the RAF's ADV) came from Oman in August 1985, with a modest eight and an option on another eight. A month later in September, Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK to supply a 'package deal' of aircraft consisting of 48 Tornado IDS, 24 ADVs, 30 Hawk, trainers and 30 PC-9 trainers. As we close for press, it is quite probable that Jordan will sign for a mix of both types, having had a request for US equipment rejected. Panavia is also leading a bid for 40 aircraft for Turkey, while Japan is looking at Tornado as well. It has also been announced that Germany is beginning the development of a third major type, the Electronic Combat/Reconnaissance (ECR) variant, for which there is now an order for 35 aircraft. Air arms are at last becoming aware that Tornado is an aircraft worth having. Indeed, the most recent testimonials to the Tornado are the results achieved by the RAF in the 1984 and 1985 USAF Strategic Air Command annual bombing competitions. In the three events for which the aircraft was eligible, the RAF on both occasions came first in two and second in the other. As might be expected, many of Tornado's critics came from the United States, and this successful performance has proved that the Tornado cannot be dismissed out of hand. I have been fortunate to have followed the Tornado's progress since 1973, having witnessed certain 'milestones' in person and spoken with many people involved in the programme over that time. This book presents a photographic record of the aircraft's development and service record to date. I wish to acknowledge, with grateful thanks, the assistance of the following, either specifically for this book or generally since 1973: Folkhard Oelwein of Panavia; Wolfram Wolf of MBB; Alfredo Mingione of Aeritalia; Alex Johnston (now retired), Geoffrey Hill and David Kamiya of British Aerospace; Barry Ellson of RAF Germany; HQ, RAF Strike Command; Richard L Ward of Modeldecal; and Pete Cooper and David Mason of BARG. Once upon a time I heard MRCA being spelt out as 'Mother Riley's Cardboard Aeroplane'. No longer is the Tornado so scorned. It has proved itself in service, and long may it remain in service.