THE ROYAL Air Force is considering using Tornado F3s, damaged in a modification programme by private contractor Airwork, as the basis of an upgrade programme to fill the gap left by the late entry into service of the four-nation Eurofighter.
Some 16 of the damaged aircraft are being eyed for possible upgrade if a UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) review, considering how to equip the RAF with a viable fighter aircraft until 2005, chooses the Tornado option.
The aircraft, in various stages of dismantlement since they were damaged when Airwork incorrectly undertook a corrosion-fatigue index-modification programme at RAF St Athans, in Wales, are being repaired by British Aerospace in a programme expected to be complete in 1997.
The proposed scheme involves re-assembly of the aircraft incorporating a 1553 databus to give it the capability to carry British Aerospace ASRAAM short-range and Hughes AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles. If the plan is accepted, other F.3s could be upgraded to give the RAF a force of around 24 aircraft.
In a related move, the Royal Navy has offered the RAF the use of one of three batches of AMRAAM missiles it is starting to receive for use on updated BAe Sea Harrier F/A2s.
With the Eurofighter now not expected in full RAF squadron service before 2005, the MoD has been reviewing its options on how to provide the RAF with a credible fighter force to bridge the gap left by delays to the programme.
The current F3, equipped with the BAe semi-active Skyflash, is no longer a match even for updated MiG-21s. The Tornado upgrade would probably include changes to the weapons, avionics and navigations systems. Aside from the AMRAAM - vital to give the RAF an active beyond visual range missile capability - the MoD is looking also at fitting the advanced ASRAAM. The weapon has already been ordered for RAF GR.7 Harriers, for delivery in late 1997.
A mid-life update of the F3 had been planned in the late 1980s, but was dropped on cost grounds.
MoD officials have been trying to play down reports in the UK media that new defence minister Michael Portillo is to drop the Tornado in favour of buying or leasing Lockheed Martin F-16s.
The F-16C option had been considered before and dropped, but sources say that the appearance of Portillo, coupled with the re-emergence of the pro-American David Hart, a former advisor to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and now an advisor to the defence minister, has rekindled interest in the plan.
The MoD admits that it has asked for price and availability data on the F-16 and the McDonnell Douglas F-18, but says that it is part of the normal review process. A decision on the upgrade programme is expected within the next six months.
Source: Flight International
