Tornado (Air Defense Variant)
This
version of the Tornado is dedicated to the interception of enemy intruders.
Research began on the Tornado following a 1971 requirement for a defensive airplane
with advanced radar. Full Scale development of the Tornado began in March 1976,
with the first model flying in October 1979. The Tornado was equipped with four
Sky Flash AAMs. To allow room for the Sky Flash AAMs, the fuselage was
stretched. As a result, the Tornado was equipped with approximately 240 gallons
more fuel than most European planes at that time and better aerodynamics. This
allowed the Tornado to stay in the air longer, accelerate faster, and have
better survival rates as a result of improved agility. The main equipment
change in the Tornado was the change in radar. The new radar that was
implemented in the Tornado was able to scan up to a 115-mile radius. The RAF
(royal air force) from 1984 up to the present day operates the Tornado. Today,
the Tornado is operated by Italy, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.
Hawk
Mk 100
The
Hawk Mk 100, also known as the Enhanced Ground Attack Hawk, was first flown in
February 1992. The Hawk is designed for use as a single-seat attack plane and
was developed in the mid-1980’s. The Hawk Mk 100 is based on the Hawk Mk 60
airplane, with advances to allow modern weapons, including a new weapon-aiming
computer, various missiles, a flare dispenser, and a laser-tracking device. On
this version of the Hawk, the maximum weapon load in increased, allowing for a
highly loaded aircraft. The Hawk can also be equipped with two wing tip AIM-9
Sidewinder short range AAMs. The Hawk Mk 100 can reach a speed of 661 mph. The
Hawk Mk 100 is used today by Abu Dhabi, Brunei, Malaysia, Oman, Indonesia, and
the United Kingdom.
Sea
Harrier
There
are three variations of the Sea Harrier:
Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 1
The
Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 1 is used for reconnaissance missions and strike attacks.
Research of the Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 1 began in 1975, with the first example
flying in February 1978. In 1981, the Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 1 entered the Fleet
Air Arm service. The Sea Harrier is less susceptible to salt water corrosion than
its predecessor, the Harrier. The Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 1 has improved agility,
making it less susceptible to naval weaponry. The Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 1 has a
camera in the nose for reconnaissance purposes.
Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 2
The
Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 2 makes some improvements to the Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 1. The
Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 2 is designed to engage multiple enemies from long range.
The radar on the Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 2 is a Doppler track-while-scan radar used
to the pilot’s range of visibility. The Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 2 is equipped with
anti-ship and anti-radar missiles. Other differences in the Sea Harrier FRS.Mk
2 include addition Sidewinder missiles, wing improvements, a missile-approach
warning system, increased maximum speed, enlarged fuel tanks, and improved
cockpit controls.
Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 51
The
Indian naval forces use this version of the Sea Harrier. Improvements include a
flare dispenser and improved weapons systems.
India and the United Kingdom operate the Sea
Harrier plane class.
Impact of the British
Airforce on Warfare
The
British airforce has been involved in several recent military campaigns. One
war that Great Britain was involved with was the Persian Gulf War. Under the
control of United States General Norman H. Schwarzkopf, British planes in
coordination with members NATO, launched a series of attacks on key Iraqi
facilities. Britain’s main airplane was the never-before-used Tornado. Through
the use of advanced military aircraft, British casualties were kept very low.
After
the Persian Gulf War, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein signed a peace treaty. This
peace treaty established a no-fly zone, and prevented Saddam Hussein from
producing "weapons of mass destruction." However, Iraq does not
recognize this part of the treaty. Therefore, allied aircraft often has
confrontations with Iraq. On January 7, 1993, British warplanes, in
coordination with allied aircraft, attacked key locations where missiles were
located. On June 30, 1998, U.S and British planes attacked Iraqi surface-to-air
missiles after the missiles locked on to British patrol planes. On December 16,
1998, U.S and British warplanes began a four-day missile strike on Baghdad
after weapons inspectors were forced from Iraq. Most recently, on February 16,
2001, U.S and British warplanes bombed sites that U.S officials said posed a
threat to air patrols. Just by enforcing the treaty of the Persian Gulf War,
Britain’s air force has been involved in modern warfare.