Posted on 04/14/2010 11:08:26 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The German air force has commenced test activities with the first of a planned 85 Panavia Tornado aircraft to be upgraded to a so-called ASSTA 2 operating configuration.
Prepared by EADS Military Air Systems using an electronic combat and reconnaissance variant aircraft, the modernisation introduces improved cockpit displays and countermeasures equipment.
EADS expects to update 62 Tornados to the ASSTA 2 standard after the completion of flight tests by the air forces WTD-61 test squadron, with the service to modify the rest of its retained fleet in Erding. The Luftwaffe plans to continue flying 85 Tornados until around 2020, after gradually reducing its current fleet of the type from around 190 aircraft as more Eurofighter squadrons become operational.
Meanwhile, EADS is already testing part of a future ASSTA 3 package of enhancements for the Tornado at its Manching site in Bavaria. This includes a Link 16 datalink and "further high-performance weapon systems," it says
(Excerpt) Read more at flightglobal.com ...
WTH? They look like T35 Trainers.
Maybe they should upgrade to F-4 phantoms.
No, they do not look one bit like T-35 trainers. The Buckaroo was designed in the 1940s.
Thus, you probably meant it looks like the T-45 trainer. However, it also does not look anything like that (apart from having wings, a cockpit, a stabilizer, etc). In terms of capability they are also as different as a camel from a cheetah.
Here is a picture of the T-45 Goshawk:
Here is a picture of the Tornado:
Tornado
T-45
Where’s the Red Baron?
I have always liked those, because I know that the pilots who fly them on those speciaized missions have a screw loose...nice looking bird!
Thanks for the correction — maybe it is the size of the tail relative to the rest of the craft that made it appear that way to me...
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