NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
Multi-role Panavia Tornado ADV (Air Defense Variant) F.3, GR.1 and GR.4 IDS (Interdictor/Strike) aircraft were produced jointly by Germany, Italy and England from 1979 to 1999. Each country manufactured a number of unique specific parts of the aircraft. In addition, each country did the final assembly of Panavia Tornado aircraft for its own air force. Engines for all aircraft were produced by Turbo-Union from a Rolls Royce design.
The IDS Panavia Tornado GR.1 was the first aircraft to fly. It was a replacement for RAF Phantoms and Lightnings. The Panavia Tornado GR.1 had a better rate of acceleration than either of its predecessors.
The upgraded Panavia Tornado GR.4 that replaced the GR.1 has the mission of a low level attack aircraft. It is designed to take out high value targets in all weather conditions using its terrain following and ground mapping radar systems.
The Panavia Tornado ADV mission is that of a long range interceptor. The primary difference between the Panavia Tornado ADV and other aircraft is its 4' 7” longer fuselage. Its advanced radar system can track up to 20 aircraft while scanning a search area of up to100 miles away.
All versions of the Panavia Tornado aircraft have wings that automatically sweep back to maximize the aircraft's aerodynamic performance. The Panavia Tornado aircraft have excellent short take off capability, which together with an on board APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) make them well suited for operation from unimproved forward air fields.
The Saudi Arabian Air Force has a combined total of 111 Panavia Tornado ADV and IDS aircraft. During the 1991 Gulf War, Royal Saudi aircraft flew combat patrols along with RAF aircraft. The Saudi aircraft did not see any action. However, the RAF aircraft carried out over 1,500 bombing raids over Iraq. Six RAF Panavia Tornado aircraft were lost due to surface to air missiles.
In 1992 Panavia Tornado F.3 aircraft helped patrol Iraqi no fly zones.
RAF Panavia Tornado F.3 aircraft also participated in U.N. operations over Bosnia-Herzegovinia.
In January 2003 RAF Panavia Tornado GR.4 aircraft participated in the invasion of Iraq using stand-off missiles, GPS guided ordnance and improved anti radar missiles for the first time.
A total of 218 Panavia Tornado ADV and 992 Panavia Tornado IDS aircraft were produced.