The RAF’s ground attack Tornados currently serving in Afghanistan and Libya have clocked up a staggering one million flying hours. Number 617 Squadron “ The Dambusters” took the aircraft through the landmark in Afghanistan this week.
The RAF’s deep strike and reconnaissance aircraft were first flown by the RAF in 1979 and have been at the forefront of operational service ever since. From its service in the Gulf spanning 20 years and two Gulf Wars, through its operations in the Balkans and current deployments to Afghanistan and Libya, Tornado has proven itself in battle time and time again.
Tornado has a range of highly accurate precision missiles and bombs that can destroy a vast range of targets from aircraft and small moving vehicles on the ground to heavily fortified bunkers. The aircraft also has a selection of high-tech sensors that can detect hostile enemies, pass live day and night video to troops on the ground and take detailed reconnaissance pictures as they have done over Helmand Province and Libya.
The RAF has five frontline Squadrons, Numbers 12(B) and 617 Squadrons at RAF Lossiemouth and Numbers II(AC), IX(B) and 31 Squadrons at RAF Marham. The Operational Conversion Unit, Number 15(R) Squadron is also based at RAF Lossiemouth.
Currently Number 617 Squadron is deployed in Afghanistan and Number II(AC) Squadron is deployed in support of Operations in Libya.
Tornado is a two-seat, multi-role aircraft able to carry out operations during day or night, in all weathers, and can deploy a wide variety of precision weapons. Tornado aircraft have recently seen active service in the Balkans and Iraq and are currently deployed in Afghanistan and Libya.
· Engines: Two RB199 turbofans
· Thrust: 16,000lbs each
· Max speed: 1.3Mach
· Length: 16.72m
· Max altitude: 50,000ft
· Span: 8.6m
· Range: Combat radius 460 miles - extended by air to air refuelling
· Weapons: Storm Shadow, Brimstone, ALARM (Air Launched Anti-Radar Missile), ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile), Paveway II, Paveway III, Enhanced Paveway, General Purpose Bombs, Mauser 27mm
(Text RAF MOD)
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