PA-200 Tornado multipurpose combat aircraft

The PA-200 Tornado is a tri-nationally developed, all-weather, two-seat combat aircraft that was introduced into the armed forces by Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy from 1980 onwards. Germany, Italy and Saudi Arabia use the combat aircraft in different roles. Delivery of the first PA-200 Tornados to the Bundeswehr began in 1981 and was completed in 1992 with the handover of the last PA-200 Tornado ECRElectronic Combat Reconnaissance (Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance) aircraft. A total of 357 multi-role combat aircraft was delivered to the German Air Force and the German Navy.

Down to 30 meters

As a result of the changed security situation since 1989 and due to the fact that the Eurofighter will also cover the air attack capability spectrum in the future, the German Air Force has reduced the number of its Tornados to 85 weapon systems. The PA-200 Tornado aircraft remaining in the Air Force will be subject to a service life extension and comprehensive modernization programs in order to continue to prevail in future scenarios.

The terrain following radar (TFR) of the PA-200 Tornado allows extreme low-level flight adapted to the terrain profile – at an altitude of 60 meters in almost any weather condition. The autopilot takes over control. In pure visual flight and with manual control, the flight altitude can be reduced further to 30 meters.

93 aircraft

Due to its advanced and highly sophisticated flight control, navigation, mission and weapon computer avionics and a very effective self-protection system, the PA-200 Tornado achieves a high accuracy with a high lethality, especially under threat.

The operational and training units of the Air Force have a total of 85 PA-200 Tornado aircraft at their disposal; the entire fleet comprises 93 Tornados. It consists of two versions of the aircraft: the Tornado IDSInterdiction Strike (Interdiction Strike) fighter bomber and the Tornado ECRElectronic Combat Reconnaissance (Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance). All Tornados are equipped with the Airborne Reconnaissance Pod II are thus also capable of optical and infrared reconnaissance (RECCEReconnaissance ) (Reconnaissance).

The different variants of the PA-200 Tornado

The IDSInterdiction Strike (Interdiction Strike) version

The Tornado IDSInterdiction Strike (Interdiction Strike) is the basic version of the fighter bomber. It is capable of supporting ground forces from the air (also in the form of close air support), battlefield interdiction (preventing the arrival of new ground forces) and air attacks on enemy facilities and positions. The IDSInterdiction Strike (Interdiction Strike) Tornado is fitted with extensive self-defense assets and equipment.

The ECRElectronic Combat Reconnaissance (Electronic Combat Reconnaissance) version

The ECRElectronic Combat Reconnaissance (Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance) version was developed from the IDSInterdiction Strike (Interdiction Strike) version at the request of the German Air Force. The ECRElectronic Combat Reconnaissance (Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance) is used for the location, identification and, if necessary, engagement of radar systems and radar-controlled air defense systems. The emitter location system (ELS) locates and identifies radars. An enemy radar can then be attacked with high-speed antiradiation missiles (HARM).

The RecceLite version

Since 2009, the German Air Force uses the RecceLite digital reconnaissance system. It significantly improves the quality of the reconnaissance results and increases the analysis options. In addition, it allows real-time in-flight transmission of reconnaissance results to the ground station. RecceLite has the capability to generate high-resolution digital images by day and night using infrared and optical sensors at low and medium altitudes, thus significantly reducing the threat level for the Tornado crews. The optical and infrared reconnaissance sensors are carried in a pod under the aircraft fuselage.

Armament