The program to upgrade 142 Tornado interdictor strike aircraft from GR1 to GR4 standard is proceeding to schedule. The aircraft system enhancements now being developed will ensure that the aircraft can seek out and attack its targets more effectively, taking advantage of the new 'smart' weapons that will progressively become available, and make it less vulnerable to counter-attack. The first Tornado GR4 squadrons started forming in 1998. Missiles, bombs, rockets, cannon. Two turbofans in body.
Air intakes are diagonal and box-like alongside the fuselage forward of the wing roots.
Solid needle nose. Body thickens at the midsection and tapers to the tail section. Tall, swept-back, and tapered fin with blunt tip and a step in the leading edge.