In the July 2012 issue of Aviation News Editor Dino Carrara reported from MoD Boscombe Down on the work being undertaken by the last Tornado F3s in service anywhere in the world.
The Panavia Tornado F3 was retired from RAF squadron service in March last year; however, that was not the end of the line for this Cold War fighter, as it lives on – at MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire. Four aircraft fly from this base to assist with trials of the MBDA Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) that is destined for use on RAF Eurofighter Typhoons and other types. Specifically two F3s are configured to be launch platforms for test firings while the other two aircraft undertake the role of photo-chase to record the missile launches and also for safety reasons.
