The Panavia Tornado twin-engine, variable-sweep wing combat aircraft. XAV 4163-394.
142 of the Royal Air Force GR 1 Tornados have been upgraded to Tornado GR 4 configuration, under the RAF Tornado mid-life update programme. The first entered service in 1998 and the GR 4 received operational clearance in April 2001. Final delivery was in June 2003. The upgraded aircraft are planned to stay in service until 2018. The new systems have been developed by BAE Systems. "The aircraft is fitted with two 25mm cannons on each side of the fuselage."The programme involves advances in systems, stealth technology and avionics. A digital avionics bus links the new systems and fully integrates the aircraft's improved defensive aids suite. The weapons bus is configured to control the release of a wide range of weapons and can adapt for future weapon types through the system's missile control and weapon programming units. The upgraded navigation systems, including a Global Positioning System (GPS), BAE Systems Terprom digital terrain mapping system and Honeywell H-764G laser Inertial Navigation System (INS) are integrated into the aircraft's main avionics system. The GR 4 is fitted with a pilot's head-up display, multifunction head-down display and a digital map. The BAE Systems TIALD Thermal Imaging Laser Designator pod, which provides high-accuracy autonomous guidance for laser-guided weapons, is being integrated on the upgraded aircraft. The GR 4 is equipped with a Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR). The thermal image is projected onto the pilot's head-up and head-down displays. The GR 4 has been cleared to carry Enhanced Paveway bombs, with GPS/INS (Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System) guidance. The aircraft are being armed with the Brimstone anti-armour missile system, which entered service with Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on the aircraft in March 2005, and Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which entered initial operational service on Tornado aircraft in March 2003, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The GR4 can also deploy the Go
Size: 5428px × 3543px
Location: RAF Lossiemouth, Moray. Grampian United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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