Captivating Images of Panavia Tornado
The Panavia Tornado is a variable-sweep wing multirole combat aircraft, which saw its first flight on August 14, 1974.
A Luftwaffe (German Air Force), Panavia Tornado IDS aircraft (s/n 43+13) from the “German Air Force Flying Training Center (GAF/FTC)” at Holloman AFB, New Mexico (USA), heads to the fight after refueling during Red Flag 07-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada (USA). These Panavia Tornado Aircraft Images were photographed by military veterans and service members.
There are three primary variants: the Tornado IDS fighter-bomber, the Tornado ECR suppression and reconnaissance aircraft and the Tornado ADV interceptor aircraft.
A former British Royal Air Force Panavia Tornado GR.1 donated to the Museum of the United States Air Force.
When loaded it weighs 44,620 lb but its maximum takeoff weight is 61,700 lb.
A Tornado taking off at the 2011 Royal International Air Tattoo.
It has a wingspan of 45.6 ft.
Panavia Tornado on display in a museum. These Panavia Tornado Aircraft Images were photographed by military veterans and service members.
It’s just over 54 ft in length and 19 ft tall.
A Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Panavia Tornado aircraft (s/n 44+80) of the Jagdbombergeschwader 31 (31st Fighter-Bomber Wing) Boelcke, based at Noervenich, Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany, takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska (USA).
It’s powered by two Turbo-Union RB199 turbofan jet engines. With afterburners the thrust is 76.8 kN of 17,270 lbf each.
British Tornado F3 taking off.
It was conceived during the Cold War and was designed as a rugged fighter-bomber that could operate from improvised runways and battle-damaged airfields.
Panavia Tornado on display.
It’s older than most of the pilots flying it.
Italian Panavia Tornado with special colour scheme.
It is cleared to carry the majority of air-launched weapons in the NATO inventory.
Panavia Tornado landing.
Precision weapons such as cruise missiles have replaced older munitions such as cluster bombs.
German Air Force Panavia Tornado IDS (reg. 43+98, cn 253/GS065/4098). These Panavia Tornado Aircraft Images were photographed by military veterans and service members.
It has a 27 mm (1.06 in) Mauser BK-27 revolver cannon internally mounted under the starboard side of the fuselage with 180 rounds.
Panavia Tornado photographed at Hermeskeil.
It has a range of 1,390 km (870 mi) for a typical combat mission and ferry range of 3,890 km (2,417 mi) with four external drop tanks.
Panavia Tornado getting to cruising altitude. These Panavia Tornado Aircraft Images were photographed by military veterans and service members.
When swept back, the wing area is lowered and drag is significantly decreased, which is conducive to performing high-speed low-level flight.
Two German Tornados fly over the flight line during Red Flag-Alaska 08-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.
It has a tandem-seat cockpit, crewed by a pilot and a navigator/weapons officer.
Machynlleth Loop area, Wales, United Kingdom.
For long range bombing missions, the Tornado has a retractable refuelling probe.
Panavia Tornado in formation. These Panavia Tornado Aircraft Images were photographed by military veterans and service members.
It has a thrust to weight ratio of 0.77.
A German air force AG-51 Tornado takes off at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.
It has a maximum speed of mach 2.2 (2,400 km/h, 1,490 mph).
Panavia Tornado in flight.
It can climb at a rate of 76.7 m/s (15,100 ft/min).
Five Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Panavia Tornado fighters and a Mikojan-Gurewitsch MiG-29.
It has a service ceiling of 15,240 m (50,000 ft).
Panavia Tornado in flight. These Panavia Tornado Aircraft Images were photographed by military veterans and service members.
Many operators have chosen to upgrade their Tornado fleets and undertake various life extension and upgrade programs.
Panavia Tornado in formation.
It’s projected that the Tornado will be in service until 2025, over 50 years after the first flight.
Two Panavia Tornadoes in formation. These Panavia Tornado Aircraft Images were photographed by military veterans and service members.