AI.24 Foxhunter

AI.24 Foxhunter

The AI.24 (Foxhunter) airborne radar is carried by the Panavia Tornado ADV (F3) fighter aircraft and gives it an all-weather, day and night, beyond-visual-range engagement capability. The radar was manufactured by GEC-Marconi subsidiaries with major parts from Ferranti.

Despite initial problems, (the radar was several years late and 60 percent over budget) successive upgrades have constantly improved the Royal Air Force's Tornado F3 fleet. The fighter is recognised as one of the most effective combat aircraft in serviceFact|date=May 2008. While the aircraft is not a "true" air defence fighter in the mould of the F-15 and F-16, the RAF has developed tactics to exploit its long range engagement capabilities and to guard against its weaknesses.

Much of the radar system and related operational software was developed at the Radar Research Laboratory of GEC-Marconi Elliott Avionic Systems Ltd. at the Elliott Automation plant in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.

History

The radar was flight tested on a British Aerospace Buccaneer and first flew in a Tornado F.2 in June 1981. [cite news | title = Tornado Radar | work = Aviation Week & Space Technology | publisher = McGraw-Hill, Inc. | page = 63 | date = 1981-06-29 | accessdate =2006-11-30]

In 1987 GEC argued that the contractual relationships were partly to blame for the delay in the Foxhunter entering service – although GEC was responsible for most of the radar, Ferranti manufactured the transmitter and reported to the Ministry of Defence who acted as the prime contactor. [cite news | first = David | last = Buchan | coauthors =McLain, Lynton | title = Closing Ranks In Defence Of Foxhunter | work = Financial Times | publisher = The Financial Times Limited | page = 6 | date = 1987-04-02 | accessdate = 2006-11-30] A new contract was signed in March 1988 and described as "tight" (i.e. not lenient towards Marconi) by the "Financial Times".

Production Tornado F.2s had concrete ballast in place of the Foxhunter radar, due to the problems. This ballast became known as the "Blue Circle radar", a play on words from a British brand of concrete by the same name, and the Rainbow Codes previously used for British radars.

Currently, the UK's Tornado F3 fleet are equipped with "Stage 3 AI.24s"Fact|date=May 2008.

References


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