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Old 3rd Feb 2017, 13:21
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El Bunto
 
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The Tornado can manage around M1.2 (clean) at sea level. Max speed at altitude is about M2.2.
It has been a long time since that was possible for the GR; briefly in the late 1970s during the test programme and maybe as late as 1985 or '86. The undernose LRMTS knocked it down to Mach 1.4 max ( drag and kinematic heating ) and the deactivated intake ramps knocked another 0.1 off that. Once they're loaded-up with the Hindenburg tanks, self-defence pods and whatever ordnance for which they can find space they are strictly subsonic. One of the least efficient ways yet devised to deliver a Paveway.
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