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Tornado F3
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This is the Tornado F3 from the group shown in yesterday's workshop.
Thanks to all who view and comment on my pictures.
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Engines: Two RB199 turbofans
Thrust: 16410lbs
Max speed: 2.2Mach
Length: 18.62m
Max altitude: 50,000ft
Span: 8.6m
Aircrew: 2
Armament: AMRAAM, ASRAAM, Skyflash, AIM-9 Sidewinder, ALARM, Mauser 27mm
The Tornado F3 was selected for development from the original Tornado GR1 attack aircraft in the late 1970s as the RAF's dedicated fighter following an MoD review of other NATO candidate aircraft. A total of 170 were ordered.
The main visible difference from the GR1 or GR4 attack aircraft is the longer fuselage, which permits greater internal fuel stowage.
It entered service at an interim F2 standard with the RAF in 1985. A year later, initial deliveries of the definitive Tornado F3 were made.
Fitted with the long range Foxhunter radar and more powerful engines, the aircraft successively replaced Lightning and Phantom fighter squadrons in the air defence role. Seven squadrons were formed, two of which were subsequently disbanded in view of the reduced threat of air attack to the UK. The variant is also in service with the Royal Saudi Air Force and until the end of 2004 the Italian Air Force leased Tornado F3 aircraft from the RAF.
The pilot in the front seat flies and fights the aircraft, while the rear seat weapons systems officer controls the radar and defensive countermeasures systems.
An important feature of the F3 is its ability to patrol at long distance from its base, supported by air-to-air refuelling.
The aircraft is capable of operation in all weathers and at night, using night-vision goggles.
In the months before the 2003 Gulf War, a small number of Tornado F3s underwent a modification programme to allow them to operate in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) role. The modifications permitted the carriage of a pair of ALARM missiles in place of the Skyflash or AMRAAM missiles, but the modified aircraft were not in the event deployed during the conflict.
In its usual air defence role, the F3 can receive real-time information on approaching targets through a datalink from patrolling Airborne Early Warning Sentry aircraft and attack nominated targets using AMRAAM missiles. In the anti-radar role, F3s can pass information on the location of an opponent's radar site back to the Sentry or ground-stations for onward relay to other aircraft or ground forces.
Under the AMRAAM Optimisation Programme, these aircraft are being modified to engage several targets simultaneously with greater accuracy and a higher probability of success.
Info from http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/tornadof3.cfm |
shelbeesmom, rewind has marked this note useful
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Another really COOL under belly shot here Toukie! I'm REALLY lovin the contrail off the wings! Amazing how fast these things fly and you got such an incredibly sharp shot at 1/400?? How in the world?? Unless you were moving with it! Excellent, you are one fast dude!
B-)
Linda
Hi Andy,
Another great shot of this bird, the vapour coming off the wings gives a great impression of speed, despite the crarity and detail of the subject.
Cheers
Tom
Great action shot Andy, with the contrails from pulling g's. Nice and sharp..... My next door neighbour here was a Tornado pilot with the RAF before joining us here in the commercial world. Says it was a cracking aircraft!!!!
Cheers
DAvid
Hi Andy,
There we go again! Cristal clear shot of the Tornado F3. Like the vortex contrasting against the blue sky! Add some drama to the picture! Great posting my friend.
Hans
- Derona
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 189 W: 113 N: 518]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(2943) - [2008-08-26 12:23]
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Hi Andy
Superb shot of this Tornado.
Very sharp details.
Well captured.
TFS
Regards Derek
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- lele
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 685 W: 28 N: 707]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(6494) - [2008-08-26 13:10]
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ciao andy..composizione molto affascinante..bellissimo..amo gli aereei..beli i dettagli e ottima descrizione..complimenti
lele
Hiya Andy
ANother stunning shot here, razor sharp detail, I lvoe the vapour trails coming off the wings and the image is well balanced allowing room for movement.
TFS regards Helen
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- rewind
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 101 W: 6 N: 124]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(1028) - [2008-08-27 13:14]
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Hi Andy, another super photo and, as always, a great note. I believe the trails coming off the wings are caused by a phenomena known as adiabatic expansion when the low pressure area just behind the wing tips causes the moisture in the air to condense and freeze into minute ice particles.
Top class pic, TFS. Les
