Flying the Tornado IDS: Nick Forster, Part 3

10 Percent True - Tales from the Cockpit

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00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:25 - Recap of previous episodes
00:01:25 – Fast Jet Tac Weapons course outline
00:02:33 – Bringing lessons learned at Tac Weapons to 9 Squadron at RAF Marham
00:08:18 – Transitioning from the Hawk to the Tornado GR4
00:09:49 – Flying qualities of the GR4
00:13:47 – The idiosyncrasies of the GR4 / Ridge Crossings
00:16:15 – Acceleration qualities of the GR4
00:18:31 – Examples of Hawk and GR4 handrails
00:20:42 – GR4, SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) and the ALARM
00:23:09 – What the ALARM designed for
00:23:58 – The ALARM, the Tornado and potential use in the European Theatre
00:26:54 – Planning an ALARM mission
00:29:00 – Brief overview of ALARM modes (Direct, Loiter and Dual)
00:29:46 – ALARM Loiter mode description
00:33:18 – Self-suppressing with ALARM
00:34:14 – SEAD mission planning and execution with two people in the cockpit
00:36:33 – ALARM Dual mode description
00:38:00 – ALARM Loiter mode - concerns about exploitation of landed missiles
00:38:19 – Using ALARM and rules of engagement concerns
00:40:28 – ALARM loadouts on the Tornado
00:41:20 – Deconflicting targets with ALARM in Loiter mode
00:43:50 – Question about how the ALARM “sees” the radar emitter
00:44:18 – Weight-class of the ALARM
00:45:02 – Did the RAF learn from the USAF/USN about the SEAD mission?
00:49:16 – Potential Cold War ALARM missions
00:51:24 – Did ALARM have the same modes as HARM (HAS, TOO, etc)?
00:53:19 – Tolerances of threat reaction modes of the ALARM
00:54:35 – Introduction to the Brimstone missile
00:55:47 – Difficulty of identifying target from the air at low-level
00:59:13 – How did the crew of the Tornado use Brimstone in flight?
01:00:48 – Brimstone targeting capabilities
01:04:53 – ROVER integration, working with JTACs
01:11:28 – Post 2003 shift to insurgent enemy, prospects following ejection?
01:16:36 – GR4 cockpit, redistributing the workload
01:20:52 – Pride in the Tornado? Envy of other jets?
01:24:59 – Force culture, upgrade quals, mentorship
01:34:57 – Ejection! Thrust reversers and nose gear.

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