Panavia Tornado
The Tornado first flew on August 14, 1974 and procured by West Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia and the UK. The latter three countries also flew the Tornado Air Defence Variant, though none remain in service. The RAF retired the Tornado GR4 in 2019, while the other air forces still have the Tornado in frontline service.
Features, news and videos covering the Tornado aircraft
German Tornado operations return to Nörvenich after more than a decade
Luftwaffe Panavia Tornado IDS ground attack/strike aircraft operations will return to Nörvenich Air Base for the first time in 12 years, as examples from Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 33 prepare to relocate to the base as urgent renovation work takes place at Büchel
A look into Italy's Suppression of Enemy Air Defence Unit: 155 Gruppo
Combat Aircraft Journal recently visited Ghedi Air Base, home to the Italian Air Force’s 155° Gruppo Electronic Warfare Tactical Suppression (ETS), to learn how the Tornado ECR and F-35A Lightning II are training for dangerous enemy radar destruction missions
Germany to buy F-35A stealth fighters in astonishing switch
Germany’s astonishing about-face in defence matters has continued, just weeks after pumping €100bn into the country’s defence budget, with the announced intention to acquire the US-manufactured F-35A fifth generation stealth fighter
REVEALED: Why Italian Tornados visited RAF Coningsby last year
A recent press release from Leonardo states that the reason for Italian Air Force Tornados and a Royal Danish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon visiting RAF Coningsby last October was for trials relating to the BriteCloud electronic countermeasure.
Tornado arrives at Northern Ireland museum
Ireland’s largest aviation museum has added a former RAF Panavia Tornado GR.4 ZG771 to its collection.
IN PICTURES: Italian Tornados whip up storm at Coningsby
Aviation enthusiasts flocked to RAF Coningsby this week to see two Italian Air Force Tornados that were operating from the Lincolnshire base on trials using the RAF Donna Nook air weapons range
North East Land Sea and Air Museum reveals Tornado to the public
Tornado F3 ZE204 was officially revealed to the public at the North East Land Sea and Air Museum in Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, on 13 September...
Inside the Luftwaffe's rejuvenated Weapons School
We visit the German Air Force base at Laage to observe how the rejuvenated Weapons School course is seeing Eurofighter, Tornado and A400M aircrews working together for the first time
Routine UK military fixed-wing low flying drops
In an apparent blow to aviation enthusiasts in the UK, it can be revealed that routine military fixed-wing low flying dropped by nearly 33% in FY2019/2020 compared with the same reporting period the previous year
Tornado F3 Takes Flight in Prepar3D
Just Flight has announced the Tornado F3 for Prepar3D v4/v5 has been released.
Panavia Tornado Design and History
The Tornado was designed for the Cold War and to counter the threat from the Eastern Bloc. The bomber variant’s versatility has been one of its strengths. It is also used for reconnaissance and the suppression of enemy air defences. For the main ground attack role it has an arsenal consisting of a wide range of precision weapons including long-range missiles, such as Storm Shadow and Taurus.
Although the Air Defence Variant didn’t enjoy the same success as the Interdiction Strike (IDS) version, it performed admirably in its intended role as an interceptor.
The high regard in which the Tornado IDS has been held over the years by the air forces flying it is illustrated by the fact that it has usually been the first aircraft called upon when a crisis flares up and so has been involved in numerous campaigns. While the RAF retired its aircraft in 2019, Germany, Italy and Saudi Arabia plan to keep their Tornados in service for a number of years to come.
The Tornado has been a multinational success story and one that is set to continue for some time to come.