Tornado F.3

TORNADO F.3
- Supersonic Fighter / Interceptor -

Origin: (Real World)
United Kingdom

Games Featured In:
Ace Combat 2
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
Ace Combat X: The Skies of Deception

Operators:
Aurelian Air Force
Leasath Air Force
Osean Air Defense Force
Special Tactical Fighter Squadron "Scarface"
Usean Rebel Air Force
Yuktobanian Air Force

Ace Squadron Pilot(s):
Max / URAF (AC2)
Goose / URAF (AC2)
Acrux / LAF (ACX)

Variants:
Tornado F.2
Tornado GR.1
Tornado GR.4
Tornado ECR

Armament: (Special Weapons)
Gun / 27mm Mauser BK-27 Cannon
ECMP / [unknown] (ACX)
SAAM / AIM-7 Sparrow (ACX)
XMAA / AIM-120 AMRAAM (AC5/ACX)

Ace Combat 2 Stats:
Power: 70
Defense: 90
Mobility: 30
Stability: 100
Climbing Ability: 70
Air-to-Air: 60
Air-to-Ground: 80

Ace Combat 5 Stats:
Speed: 73
Mobility: 59
Stability: 60
Defense: 91
Air-to-Air: 74
Air-to-Ground: 37

Background:
The Tornado F3 made its maiden flight on 20 November 1985. Enhancements over the F2 included RB.199 Mk 104 engines, the ability to carry four underwing Sidewinder missiles rather than two, and automatic wing sweep control. The Mk 104 engines were optimised for high-altitude use with longer afterburner nozzles. The Tornado ADV has been criticised for its lack of "true" fighter performance. However to criticise the aircraft for this is to misunderstand the mission for which it was developed. The ADV was designed as an Interceptor rather than as an air superiority fighter. Its primary purpose was to fly and patrol far from base over the North Sea and Northern Atlantic and to intercept its targets at long range, not to have significant dogfighting capabilities.

The Tornado F3 made its combat debut in the 1991 Gulf War with 18 aircraft deployed to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. However, they did not get the opportunity to engage any enemy aircraft. The F3 lacked modern IFF and a full suite of defensive aids, thus they flew patrols further back from Iraqi airspace where encounters with enemy aircraft were less likely.[citation needed] After 1991 combat operations continued as the southern no-fly zones over Iraq were patrolled. The Tornados flew from Saudi Arabia under Operation Bolton and then Operation Resinate South. On average six aircraft were involved. These operations continued right up until 2003 when Iraq was invaded again. Operation Telic saw 14 F3s deployed to Saudi Arabia. The F3s (of 43(F) and 111(F) Sqns) were, unlike during the 91 Gulf War, deployed deep into Iraq both before and after the shock and awe air strikes. Again no air-to-air victories were scored as the Iraqi Air Force flew no sorties at all during the 2003

Realising that in its current form the F3 would not continue as an effective platform up to its planned out of service date of 2010, the UK Ministry of Defence initiated the Capability Sustainment Programme (CSP). This project, announced on March 5, 1996, included Integration of ASRAAM and AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, Radar upgrades to improve multi-target engagement, Improved pilot/navigator displays, New processor and weapon management computers. The CSP would see the removal of a non-standard state of aircraft; various upgrades (notably to the Foxhunter radar) had led to the situation described as "fleets within fleets." However the Foxhunter radar, having overcome many of the early difficulties, was to cause significant problems during the upgrade programme. This manifested itself when efforts were made to integrate the AMRAAM missile with the aircraft as a replacement for Skyflash. The radar had to be considerably modified to interface properly with the missile.

Specifications:
Crew: 2
Length: 18.7 m (61.3 ft)
Wingspan: (Variable geometry wing)
At 25° wing position : 13.91 m (45.6 ft)
At 67° wing position: 8.60 m (28.2 ft) ()
Height: 5.95 m (19.5 ft)
Wing area: 26.6 m² (286 sq ft)
Empty weight: 14,500 kg (32,000 lb)
Loaded weight: 21,546 kg (47,500 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 28,000 kg (61,700 lb)
Powerplant: 2× Turbo-Union RB199-34R afterburning turbofan
Maximum speed: 1,262 knots (1,452 mph, Mach 2.27, 2,338 km/h)
Range: 755 nmi (869 mi, 1,390 km)
Service ceiling: 15,240 m (50,000 ft)

SOURCE:
GlobalSecurity.org
Ace Combat (series in-game data)

ACCREDITATION:
Original Article By: tkgamer
Article Updated By: Berserker