The RAF XV (15) Sqn Anniversary1915-2015 GR4 Tornado celebrates 100 years since the Squadron was first formed. SCO 9658.
No. 15 Squadron was first formed at Farnborough Airfield on 1 March 1915 as a Royal Flying Corps training unit, commanded by Major Philip Joubert de la Ferté. It was mainly equipped with Royal Aircraft Factory , supplemented with a few Bristol Scout, and moved to France on 22 December 1915, operating in the reconnaissance role in support of the Army. It operated in support of IV Corps during the Battle of the Somme in summer 1916, suffering heavy losses from both ground fire and German fighter aircraft. It was praised by Douglas Haig for its work in support of the Fifth Army in the Ancre salient in January 1917. The Panavia Tornado is a multirole, twin-engined aircraft designed to excel at low-level penetration of enemy defenses. 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, has been integrated on the upgraded aircraft. From February 2007, a number of GR 4 aircraft operating in Iraq are being fitted with the Rafael 'Litening' III targeting pod. The GR 4 is equipped with forward-looking infrared (FLIR). The thermal image is projected onto the pilot's head-up and head-down GR 4 has been cleared to carry enhanced Paveway II bombs, with GPS/INS (global positioning system / inertial navigation system) guidance. Raytheon was awarded a contract to integrate Paveway IV on the Tornado in February 2008, which was completed in July 2009. The GR4 can also deploy the Goodrich Raptor reconnaissance pod which replaces the current Thales Optronics (Vinten) VICON system. Raptor consists of the DB-110 reconnaissance system with CCD day sensor and mid-wave indium infrared sensor.
Size: 6068px × 4035px
Location: RAF Lossiemouth, Moray. Grampian Region. Scotland. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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