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Tornado F3
The F3 has all weather and day/night capability and can engage targets beyond visual range. Originally developed from the Tornado GR1, the F3 was introduced as a long-range interceptor aircraft to defend UK airspace. Changes in operational tasks, along with the experience gained during the Gulf War, led to a programme of major upgrades, delivered by Military Air Solutions that have dramatically enhanced the capability and performance of the aircraft.
The aircraft uses the Foxhunter multi-mode air-intercept radar to detect and target hostile aircraft. Military Air Solutions have a ‘power by the hour’ contract to support the Foxhunter radar that has achieved availability of 99% and saved £5m The situational awareness of the aircrew is enhanced by a Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) that complements the command and control capability provided by links and a suite of transponders and interrogators that can identify potential targets as friend or foe.
In its usual air defence role, the F3 can receive real-time information on approaching targets from patrolling E3D Sentry or any other AEW/AWACS aircraft and attack nominated targets without having to use its own radar and give its position away to the enemy. The standard weapons carried by the Tornado F3 are up to four ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missiles on the wing pylons and four AMRAAM medium-range missiles mounted under the fuselage.
The aircraft’s radar homing and warning receiver enhances threat detection and the F3 can be defensively armed with chaff dispensers, infrared decoy flares and towed radar decos. There is one operational F3 squadron 111(F) Squadron based at RAF Leuchars. Military Air Solutions has delivered a series of significant capability enhancements to the UK’s Tornado F3 fleet.
The most recent, the F3 sustainment programme, has integrated the latest advanced short and medium range air-to-air missiles and upgraded the aircraft’s main computer radar and datalink capabilities. The programme was delivered on budget in just 18 months, an unprecedented achievement for the introduction of a new fast-jet capability into service.
Specifications
- Powerplant: Two RB199 engines
- Wingspan: 8.6m to 13.91m
- Height: 5.95m
- Length: 18.68m
- Max Speed: Mach 2.2
- Max Altitude: above 50,000 ft
- Crew: Pilot and Weapons System Operator
