The F3 was developed to meet an RAF requirement for a long-range interceptor
to replace ageing Phantom aircraft. Based around the Tornado GR1 airframe, the
first Tornado Air Defence Variant (ADV) was flown in October 1979 and
subsequently entered service as the Tornado F2 with No. 229 OCU at Coningsby.
This first batch of interim aircraft featured RB199 Mk103 engines (as used in
the GR1) and did not initially have a radar fitted. The F2 was replaced by the
F3 version from July 1986 onwards, and deliveries to the first front-line
Squadron (No. 29, also based at Coningsby) followed. This version features Mk104
engines fitted with an extended afterburner for increased performance, and this
required the rear fuselage to be stretched by 14 inches to accommodate the new
engines. Aircraft were also delivered with the Foxhunter radar and a longer
radome gives the F3 a much sleeker profile than 'mud-moving' GR1s.
Deliveries to the Royal Saudi Air Force as part of the Al Yamamah project
began in February 1989, and these, in partnership with RAF aircraft,
participated in the Gulf War, but did not see aerial combat. The only other
foreign customer is the Italian Air Force which is leasing 24 ex-RAF F3s as a
stop-gap until the delivery of its first Eurofighters
in 2002/3.
RAF Tornado F3s are now being equipped with the new Joint Tactical
Information Distribution System (JTIDS). Operating in conjunction with Sentry
AEW1 airborne early warning aircraft and other allied fighters, the system
gives an unprecedented real-time picture of the air battle, including
information obtained by other sensors in other fighters or AEW aircraft. The
crew can thus 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.
Powerplant: Two afterburning Turbo Union RB199-34R Mk 104 turbofans of
16,520lb st
Span: 45ft 7.25in (13.90m) - wings fully spread; 28ft 2.5in (8.59m) -
68° sweep
Length: 59ft 3in (18.06m)
Max Speed: 1,480mph (2,333km/h) at 40,000ft
Accommodation: Pilot and navigator in tandem cockpit
Armament: One 27mm cannon plus four Sky Flash medium range and four
AIM-9L Sidewinder short-range AAMs
Recognition: Oval fuselage with a very large swept fin and rudder.
Shoulder-mounted variable geometry wings of delta shape when fully swept. Bubble
two-seat tandem cockpit and a long nose cone (4ft 6in (1.37m) longer than the
GR1). All-moving tailplane on the sides of the twin tailpipes. Overall light
grey camouflage.
