BRITISH Aerospace at Warton has handed over a new Tornado aircraft to the RAF intended for use on its toughest covert missions well into the 21st century.

The new aircraft, called a Tornado G4, is an updated version of the G1 aircraft which the RAF used in some of its most dangerous assignments in the Gulf War when launching low-level night attacks on heavily-defended targets.

The new GR4 comes with improved sensory, computer and weapons systems on board to enhance its effectiveness in dangerous military situations.

A special forward looking infra-red system (FLIR) enables an RAF pilot to carry out operations even in poor daylight conditions including fog, haze, battlefield smoke and during the hours of darkness.

And advances in the Tornado's stealth technology, enables it to penetrate areas at high speeds and low levels, while remaining undetected.

New technologies also aid navigation, with the installation of digital mapping and weapon carrying capacity with a new weapons bus.

The new G4 aircraft was officially accepted at a hand over ceremony at the Warton site by the RAF's chief of air staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Johns.

Delivery of the new G4s to RAF frontline squadrons will begin in early 1988 and all 142 G1s should be upgraded by 2002.

Speaking at the ceremony Sir Richard said: "I am delighted to salute the arrival of our first GR4 which will bring a combat effectiveness to our front line that will help to guarantee the operational credibility of the the Royal Air Force well in to the second decade of the next millennium."

British Aerospace managing director of military aircraft and aerostructures, Mike Rouse said: "The two aircraft seen here today are the result of a considerable amount of team effort.

"I believe that it is this partnership between industry, MoD and the user that has successfully achieved the objective of significantly increasing the capability of the Tornado GR1."

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