Several upgrades have added new capability to long-serving British aircraft types.
Tornado F.3/EF.3 Intercept
Gun Atk: 6Man Rtng: 3.5/2.0
Size/Signature: Large/Large
In Service: 1987
Counterm: None
Bombsight: Computing
Sensors: Foxhunter radar, 2nd Gen ESM.
Performance: Speed in Knots
Throttle Setting
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
V/Low: 400 (1.7) 650 (2.7) 792 (3.3)
Med: 400 (1.7) 700 (2.9) 1027 (4.3)
High: 400 (1.7) 750 (3.1) 1262 (5.3)
VHigh: 400 (1.7) 750 (3.1) 1262 (5.3)
Ceiling: 21335 meters
Engine Type: TF
Endurance Data Inflight Refuel: Y
Cruise Range: 1530 nm
Int Fuel: 5216 kg
Drop Tank Desc. Fuel Wt. Range Add.
1500 L drop tank 1200 kg 350 nm
2250 L drop tank 1800 kg 530 nm
Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 8500 kg
Off Guns: 2 27mm Mauser cannon @ 180 rds
4 Sky Flash, 4 AIM-9L/M Sidewinder, 2 2250 L drop tanks
4 2250 L drop tanks, 1 refuel store
8 AIM-120 AMRAAM (from 2000), 2 2250 L drop tanks
4 AIM-120 AMRAAM, 4 AIM-132 ASRAAM (from 2002), 2 2250 L drop tanks
2 ALARM, 4 AIM-132 ASRAAM, 2 2250 L drop tanks, BOZ 107 chaff pod (from 2003, EF.3 only)
Remarks:
Has autosweep avionics. Can engage 4 targets simultaneously w/ Sky Flash.
2000: Capable of carrying AMRAAM.
Mid-2002: ASRAAM fitted to No.11 Squadron
Feb 03: ALARM fitted to a limited number of No.11 Squadron aircraft. ESM upgraded to 3rd Gen, designated EF3. Can carry 2 ALARM, 2 drop tanks, 4 ASRAAM, Areil Decoy pod, Phimat decoy pod.
Harrier GR.9/9A Attack
Gun Atk: 5Man Rtg: 4.0/1.5
Size/Signature: Small/Small
In Service: 2005
Counterm: 3rd Gen J&D
Bombsight: Advanced
Sensors: LRMTS, RWR, NVG capability
Performance Speed in Knots
Throttle Setting
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
V/Low: 460 (1.9) 580 (2.4) --
Med: 460 (1.9) 550 (2.3) --
High: 460 (1.9) 520 (2.2) --
Ceiling: 15240 meters
Engine Type: TF
Endurance Data Inflight Refuel: Y
Cruise Range: 965 nm
Int Fuel: 3402 kg
Drop Tank Desc. Fuel Wt. Range Add.
300 USG drop tank 927 kg 265 nm
Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 4175 kg
Off Guns: 2 Aden 25 25mm @ 100 rds.
4 GBU-10 or GBU-24, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinder, 2 300 USG drop tanks
10 BL755, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinder
6 Mk82 500 lb bombs or Matra 155, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinder, 2 300 USG drop tanks
4 AIM-9 Sidewinder, 2 300 USG drop tanks
4 AGM-65 Maverick
Remarks: V/STOL
Two-part upgrade of Harrier GR.7s. The Integrated Weapons Program adds avionics to allow carriage of ASRAAM, Brimstone, and Storm Shadow. GR.7s upgraded with the IWP will be designated GR.9. Second part is replacing Pegasus Mk105 engines in 30 GR.7s with Mk107 engines. These will be desig-nated GR.7A, then GR.9A after they receive IWP.
30 May 03: First flight of upgraded GR.9 aircraft.
Note: The Sea Harrier FRA.2 will be removed from service in 2004, and the GR.9 upgrade does not include a radar or AMRAAM capability. Eventually, the Harrier GR.9 will be replaced by the F-35.
Nimrod MRA.4 Maritime Patrol
Gun Atk: --Man Rtng: .5/.5
Size/Signature: Large/Large
In Service: 2005
Counterm: 3rd Gen D
Bombsight: Computing
Sensors: Searchmaster 2000MR radar, MAD, 3rd Gen ESM, FLIR, 87 sonobuoys, UYS-503/AQS-979 sonobuoy processor.
Performance: Speed in Knots
Throttle Setting
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
V/Low: 431 (1.8) 475 (2.0) --
Med: 431 (1.8) 490 (2.0) --
High: 431 (1.8) 500 (2.1) --
Ceiling: 12800 meters
Engine Type: TF
Endurance Data Inflight Refuel: N/Y - D
Cruise Range: 6500 nm
Int Fuel: 50600 kg
Drop Tank Desc. Fuel Wt. Range Add.
Internal bay tank 1141 kg 150 nm
Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 6120 kg
Internal:
9 Mk46/Stingray torp
6 Internal bay tanks
2 Harpoon
External (4 HP)
8 AIM-9L/M Sidewinder
4 Harpoon/Rocket Pod/Cannon Pod
Remarks:
18 MR.2 aircraft to be upgraded 2004 - 07. Larger wing, bomb bay, 30% increased fuel capacity, new undercarriage, new sensors. Improved engines compensate for increased weight, reduce fuel consumption 20%. Can carry Storm Shadow (4 externally, one internally), ALARM, ASRAAM, Maverick, later JDAM and JSOW, but they have not been cleared for the aircraft yet.
BT
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