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The Tornado was jointly developed by the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. Developed and built by Panavia, a tri-national consortium consisting of British Aerospace, MBB of Germany and Alenia Aeronautica of Italy. The Tornado's maiden flight was on August 14 1974 as the Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). The first British prototype XX946 (P-02) first flight took place on 30th October 1974. The first of 228 Tornado GR1 aircraft were delivered on the 5th June 1979, with the type actually entering service in 1980, initially with the TTTE (Tri-national Tornado Training Establishment) at RAF Cottesmore. This was followed by 45 Squadron (TWCU) based at RAF Honington. The Tornado Mid-Life Update (MLU) was approved in 1994. The Tornado GR4 would improve capability in the medium level precision attack role whilst maintaining the Tornado's exceptional low-level attack capability. British Aerospace was contracted to upgrade 142 GR1's to GR4 standard, with work beginning in 1996 and was completed in 2003. The Tornado GR4 is currently operated from two bases. Based at RAF Lossiemouth, in Scotland, are the Operational Conversion Unit, No. 15(R) Squadron, and Nos 12(B), 14 and 617 Squadrons. RAF Marham is the home of the GR4s of Nos II(AC), IX(B), 13 and 31 Squadrons. Based around the Tornado GR1 airframe, the F3 was developed for the RAF as a long-range interceptor to replace the ageing Phantom, protecting the the North Sea and Atlantic approaches during the Cold War. The first Tornado air defence aircraft was flown in October 1979 and subsequently entered service as the Tornado F2 with No. 229 OCU at RAF Coningsby. These first aircraft used the same RB199 Mk103 engines as the GR1 and did not initially have a radar fitted. From 1986, the F3 was delivered to front line units, the first being No.29 Sqn at RAF Coningsby. The F3 has now been equipped with the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS). In conjunction with Sentry AEW1 airborne early warning aircraft and other allied fighters, the system gives a real-time picture of the air battle, using information obtained from different sources, thus allowing the crew to select its own target and move to within 'kill' distance without using the fighter's own search radar with its position-revealing signature until the very last moment. The F3 is currently operated from two bases. Based at RAF Leuchars, in Scotland, are 43 (F) Squadron and 111 (F) Squadron. RAF Mount Pleasent in the Falklands is home to 1435 Flight. The aircraft will be replaced by the Typhoon around 2012. |
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