50 years of Tornado
August 15, 2024
50 years ago, on 14 August 1974, the first prototype Panavia MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft), P-01, took off on its first flight. The aircraft was the product of a Trinational consortium formed by Great Britain, West Germany and Italy. To ‘share the glory’ the aircraft made its maiden flight from Manching, in Germany, but was piloted by British Aerospace (BAe) test pilot Paul Millett.
The Tornado (as the MRCA was quickly renamed) was designed as a low level strike attack aircraft, with advanced terrain following and attack radar systems to penetrate enemy defences and hit pinpoint targets in all weathers. The variable-geometry wing gave a good ride at ultra low level, without compromising take off performance and without sacrificing handling characteristics in the circuit.
The Tornado was produced in three main variants, the IDS (Interdictor Strike), the ECR (Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance) and the ADV (Air Defence Variant). 990 Tornados were eventually produced for the three partner nations and Saudi Arabia.
Though the RAF retired its last Tornados on on 31 March 2019, the type remains in active frontline service in Germany, Italy and Saudi Arabia.
The international collaboration that produced the Tornado provided a template for the quadrinational Eurofighter programme that followed, with Spain joining the team. Today, Germany and Spain form part of the FCAS/SCAF fighter programme, while the UK and Italy are founder members of the Tempest/GCAP project.
Airbus Defence tweeted: “Today, history was made: Happy birthday to this amazing aircraft! We salute your legacy, which will live on in the Eurofighter and FCAS for decades to come.”
