Pheasant wrote
The GR4 is a long range interdiction/strike aircraft and designed from the outset to be so; the GR9 is designed from the outset as a CAS aircraft. The fact that £M hundreds are being spent to give GR4 even some CAS capability says it all.....surely this could be spent in more worthwhile areas?
What do you think the GR4s flying over Iraq since 2003 have been doing? The Urgent Operational Requirement for Afghanistan is to provide the GR4 with the capability to deploy the latest Paveways as per the GR.9s.
PICTURE: BAE Systems flies Paveway IV bombs on Tornado GR4
Operational Close Air Support Over Iraq
RAF - News by Date
RAF Marham - IX (B) Squadron Op TELIC Update - January 2009
RAF Operational Update - Op Update 08 June 2008
Multi-National Force - Iraq - Coalition airpower supports ground troops
RAF Tornado crews train for Afghanistan
RAF - News by Date
TJ