What Is The Tornado GR4?
The Tornado GR4. Upgraded Royal Air Force low-level interdictor equipped with advanced FLIR, night vision, and precision weapons.
United Kingdom
Origin
Strike
Role
Mach 1.3
Top speed
15,240 m
Service ceiling
Tornado GR4 Specifications
The Panavia Tornado GR4 was an upgraded low-level interdictor strike aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force. Equipped with forward-looking infrared (FLIR), night-vision goggle compatibility, Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and dual RB199 afterburning engines, it excelled in deep air attack.
Performance
Top speed
Mach 1.3 (990 mph)
Service ceiling
50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Combat radius
750 nmi (1,390 km)
Rate of climb
15,000 ft/min (76 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
2 (Pilot, WSO)
Length
54 ft 10 in (16.72 m)
Wingspan
45 ft 7 in (13.91 m) spread/28 ft 2 in (8.60 m) swept
Empty weight
30,624 lbs (13,890 kg)
Engine
2x Turbo-Union RB199-34R Mk 103 afterburning turbofans
Service
First flight
14 August 1974
Unit cost
$45 million
Operators
United Kingdom (RAF - Retired)
What Weapons Does The Tornado GR4 Carry?
The Tornado GR4 is armed with a 27mm Mauser BK-27 cannon and hardpoints carrying 19,800 lbs of precision weapons, deploying Storm Shadow cruise missiles, Brimstone anti-armour missiles, and Paveway IV bombs.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
Mauser BK-27
Category
27 mm Cannon
Loadout
1 internal cannon (180 rounds)
Range
1,800 metres (effective)
Storm Shadow
Category
Stand-Off Cruise Missile
Loadout
Up to 2 missiles
Range
560 km (348 miles)
Brimstone
Category
Anti-Armour Missile
Loadout
Up to 12 missiles
Range
60 km (37 miles)
Paveway IV
Category
Precision-Guided Bomb
Loadout
Up to 5 bombs
Range
Gravity released
ALARM
Category
Anti-Radiation Missile
Loadout
Up to 9 missiles
Range
93 km (58 miles)
RAPTOR Pod
Category
Reconnaissance Pod
Loadout
1 pod
Range
Long-range oblique imaging
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The Tornado GR4?
The GR4 retains the Tornado's Mach 2.2 capability, around 1,490 mph, though its operational profile was overwhelmingly low level and subsonic. Its terrain-following radar allowed automatic flight at 200 feet in darkness and cloud, and the mid-life update added a digital cockpit, GPS navigation and compatibility with night vision goggles.
How Was The Tornado GR4 Developed?
The GR4 programme upgraded RAF Tornado GR1 airframes from 1997, adding forward-looking infrared, a wide-angle head-up display, new displays and the ability to carry the emerging generation of precision weapons. The first upgraded aircraft flew on 4 April 1997, and 142 airframes were converted.
Has The Tornado GR4 Seen Combat?
The GR4 flew in Kosovo, Iraq from 2003, Afghanistan, Libya in 2011 and against ISIS in Iraq and Syria from 2014. Its final operational sortie came in early 2019, after which the RAF transitioned the strike role to the Typhoon and F-35B.
Who Operates The Tornado GR4?
The Royal Air Force was the sole operator of the GR4 standard, retiring the type on 31 March 2019 after 40 years of Tornado service. German and Italian Tornados in other variants remain in service.
Tornado GR4 FAQs
Common questions about the Tornado GR4, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the Tornado GR4 as a civilian?
No, the Tornado GR4 is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the Tornado GR4?
No, you cannot take the controls of the Tornado GR4, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the Tornado GR4 cost?
The Tornado GR4 is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Is there a weight or height limit for a jet flight instead of the Tornado GR4?
The Tornado GR4 is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the Tornado GR4?
The Tornado GR4 is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the Tornado GR4?
The Tornado GR4 is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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