Tornado Flight of the Modernized

Today the German Cassidian announced that February 8 was the first flight of the Tornado fighter jet avionics upgraded to a standard ASST 3.0. Delivery is scheduled for mid 2012.


Modernization ASST (Avionics Software System Tornado Ada) 3.0 is to install a new distribution system data (mids), based on the standard link 16th The aircraft also received a modern radio, digital video recorders, audio, and has been adapted to carry guided bombs LJDAM class and, hence, guided by GPS or laser beam.

Work is currently underway to modernize ASST 3.1, which assumes conversion of monochrome to color screens, liquid crystal displays and the extension of functions including Mids for transfer of images from reconnaissance and laser cartridges indicators targets.

Tornado first flight of the modernized test phase began, which should lead to certification of the model and allow the user to transfer fighter in the middle of this year. Tornado retrofitting combined with the renovation, which will extend the period of his service beyond 2025. In the wake of budget cuts, Berlin decided to limit the number of used aircraft of this type from 185 to 85.