War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

He 177 A-5

2024-06-21T16:15:38Z

U4349690: Added spin descent method

{{Specs-Card
|code=he-177a-5
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The He 177 has its origins well before World War 2 even began with the German Air Ministry's Bomber A specifications. Heinkel took up the task of building a long-range bomber that could hit a top speed of 571 km/h (355 mph) and a range of over 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometres). In addition, it also needed to be able to carry up to 4,400 lb (1,995 kg) of bombs. This was far above any bomber at the time and almost impossible to achieve. Although plans began in the mid-1930s, the final design and production wouldn't come to fruition until well into the war. Around 1,000 He 177 "Greif" (Griffon in German) bombers were built. It was far too late in the war to have any noticeable impact and was still plagued with issues. Most notoriously its tendency to catch fire during flights due to poor engine cooling system.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was introduced in [[Update 1.77 "Advancing Storm"]] as an addition from the revenue share program, created by Daniil "Joy_Division__" Zaytsev. Although it may look like a twin-engine bomber, the Greif actually has four engines, two mounted on one shaft spinning one propeller. Unfortunately, this makes the engines prone to overheating and players should be wary of prolonged high-power usage. The Greif has a very high structural speed limit of 683 km/h (424 mph), which helps it dive quickly to bases if needed. Being a long-range bomber, the He 177 is also quite heavily defended; six turrets are mounted all over the aircraft which provide excellent firing angles. Although the He 177 struggled in real life, it's a relatively decent bomber in-game that can defend itself and significantly damage enemy bases.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


Powered by two DB 610 coupled engines, the {{PAGENAME}} features great overall flight performance due to the sleek and more aerodynamic design compared to conventional four-engine heavy bombers. The plane can turn and bank around with relative ease, and has great flatline speed and climb rate for its size. Being designed to be capable of dive bombing, the {{PAGENAME}} can also perform these tasks quite well despite the size. This allows it to deliver precision strike at an enemy, an ability that other heavy bombers would struggle to perform otherwise.

However, the {{PAGENAME}}'s greatest asset in the form of engines is also its greatest downfall. In real life, the DB 610 is infamous for its tendency to catch fire during the flight, owning due to its cramped nacelles rendering the cooling system ineffective. While this self-immolation tendency were fortunately not reflected in-game, the DB 610's notoriously poor cooling system will cause the engine to quickly overheat while on WEP or having its coolant leaked via damage, thus causing the engine to be damaged if left unattended. The engines are also somewhat underpowered compared to the plane's weight. This means if one engine is knocked out, the plane will be unable to stay airborne and forcing the pilot to either land or crash. The engines also struggled to lift off the plane while it has low speed, thus complicated the take off and landing procedure, especially while carrying heavy payload.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 6,500 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 531 || 518 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 32.2 || 33.4 || 5.9 || 5.9 || rowspan="2" | 1,600
|-
! Upgraded
| 582 || 555 || 29.8 || 31.0 || 10.5 || 8.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 683  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 431 || 406 || 280 || ~4 || ~1
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 300 || < 310 || < 360 || > 715
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
[[File:He 177 Armour layout.png|thumb|He 177's armour profile|462x462px]]
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 9 mm Steel plates in pilot's seat
* 7 mm Steel plate under the entire cockpit
* 9 mm Steel plate in front of the front dorsal gunner
* 7 mm Steel plates on cockpit roof around front dorsal gunner
* 7 mm Steel plates around rear dorsal gunner
* 7 mm Steel box in front of the rear dorsal gunner
* 57 mm Bulletproof glass in front of tail gunner
* 9 mm Steel plates around the bottom and front of tail gunner
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (2 in frontal fuselage, 2 in central fuselage, 2 in each wing)

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|SC50JA (50 kg)|SC250JA (250 kg)|SC500K (500 kg)|SC1000L2 (1,000 kg)|SC1800B (1,800 kg)}}
{{main|PC500 (500 kg)|PC1000 (1,000 kg)|PC 1400 X (1,400 kg)|PC1600 (1,600 kg)}}
{{main|Flam C 250 incendiary|Flam C 500 incendiary}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* 48 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (2,400 kg total)
* 12 x 250 kg SC250JA bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 6 x 500 kg SC500K bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 4 x 1,000 kg SC1000L2 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 2 x 1,800 kg SC1800B bombs (3,600 kg total)
* 2 x 1,800 kg SC1800B bombs + 6 x 500 kg SC500K bombs (6,600 kg total)
* 3 x 1,400 kg PC 1400 X (Fritz X) bombs (4,200 kg total)
* 12 x Flam C 250 incendiary bombs
* 6 x Flam C 500 incendiary bombs
* 6 x 500 kg PC500 bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 4 x 1,000 kg PC1000 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 2 x 1,600 kg PC1600 bombs (3,200 kg total)
* 2 x 1,600 kg PC1600 bombs + 6 x 500 kg PC500 bombs (6,200 kg total)

The stock payload of the {{PAGENAME}} consists of 48 x 50 kg bombs. While small in size, it is surprisingly effective, as 24 of these can destroy a single base in RB and two in total. Given that the plane's heaviest payload is also capable of destroying two bases while being almost three times heavier, the stock payload are actually more efficient against bases weight-to-damage ratio-wise. Because of this, it is recommended to use the stock payload against bases rather than "heavier" ones, as it will has much less effect on the plane's controllability, especially when compared to the "top" payload.

While less efficient, the {{PAGENAME}}'s heavier payload still has its own purposes. The top payload of the {{PAGENAME}} consists of 2 x 1,800 kg bombs and 6 x 500 kg bombs, both are effective against ground targets in mixed battles, especially when combined with the plane's surprisingly decent dive characteristic. The {{PAGENAME}} also has an access to three "Fritz X" guided glide bombs for precision strike at high altitudes.

=== Defensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Defensive}}

{{main|MG 151 (20 mm)|MG 131 (13 mm)|MG 81 (7.92 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is defended by:

* 1 x 20 mm MG 151 cannon, chin turret (300 rpg)
* 1 x 20 mm MG 151 cannon, tail turret (800 rpg)
* 2 x 13 mm MG 131 machine gun, front dorsal turret (1,000 rpg = 2,000 rpg)
* 1 x 13 mm MG 131 machine gun, rear dorsal turret (1,000 rpg)
* 1 x 13 mm MG 131 machine gun, ventral turret (1,000 rpg)
* 1 x 7.92 mm MG 81 machine gun, nose turret (1,000 rpg)

The {{PAGENAME}} has a well-armed defensive armaments, with particular focus on the rear of the aircraft, as five 13 mm machine guns and a single 20 mm autocannon can be directed at a chasing enemy. The guns are relatively easy to aim and pack quite a punch, especially since the 20 mm turret has an access to the minengeschoß shell.

However, the {{PAGENAME}}'s defense still has quite a large blindspot. Due to the lack of waist and fully traversable ventral turret, the plane is especially vulnerable from attacks from the side or low diagonal angle. The plane's glazed nose will also leaves the pilot vulnerable from head-ons attack despite the front has an access to another 20 mm autocannon. As such, always face your six at the enemy whenever possible.

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:A lone HE-177.jpg|thumb|He-177 flying in War Thunder]]

=== Strategic bombing ===
Combining the speed and handling of the Do 217 and the immense payload of the Lancaster along with defensive armament approaching that of the American bombers, the He 177 Greif is an outstanding heavy bomber. Its maximum payload of 2 x 1,800 kg and 6 x 500 kg bombs is easily the best of its contemporaries when it comes to demolishing bases in AB and airfields in RB/SB. Other payloads are quite useful depending on the bombing objectives in RB/SB: 6 x 500 kg against bases (3 per base), 4 x 1,000 kg and 2 x 1,800 kg for aircraft carriers and airfields.

The He 177 bears some similarities to the Do 217 series. It has an exceptionally high dive speed for a heavy bomber and is capable of reaching up to 700 km/h in a dive. It is, however, more manoeuvrable at high speeds, one has to be careful not to overload the wings. The two engines (which are really two V12 DB 605 engines coupled together to drive one four-bladed propeller, making them essentially 24 cylinder engines) are very powerful, but at the same time more vulnerable to damage.

The defensive armament of the Greif is very good by German standards, consisting primarily of 13 mm MG 131 heavy machine guns, completed with 2 MG 151/20 cannons, one in front and one in tail turret. The large tail fin prevents the dorsal turrets from firing directly to the rear, leaving only the MG 151/20, however.

=== Spin descent ===
Also known as flat spin descent or helicopter descent. One of the main disadvantages of high altitude bombing is that the airframe cannot handle an aggressive descent back to the airfield. A spin descent is basically an induced flat spin, which causes the plane to spin horizontally while falling.

# Enter a flat spin: You need to switch to full real controls, then cut throttle, pitch up and move the rudder to either side until you stall and enter a spin.
# Descend: Note that even with practice, pulling out of a flat spin can still take a bit over 2km of falling before you can level out. Take note of terrain such as mountains.
# Leave the flat spin: There are multiple ways of doing this and there is even an in-game tutorial. A simple method is to re-engage mouse control, pitch down and roll '''INTO''' the spin, using the rudder to turn even more that way can help. Maintain this until the nose is pointing towards the ground. Then, roll '''AGAINST''' the spin and gradually pitch up.

=== Tactical bombing ===
The He 177 is the second and final aircraft of the German tech-tree to have access to the [[PC 1400 X (1,400 kg)|PC 1400 X Fritz X]] radio-guided bomb. Compared to the [[He 111 H-6]], the He 177 can carry three individual drop Fritz X compared to a single one. The access to guided munitions make this the first actual high-altitude tactical bomber (tactical bombing is aerial bombing aimed at targets of immediate military value such as combatants) as it can strike moving targets with pin-point accuracy even from high altitude. In other words, the Fritz X offers the pilot a wide variety of possible engagements.

=== Climbing and bombing ===
The He 177 A-5 will spawn at 4.5 km as a long-range bomber and as such, it's much easier to get out of the reach of interceptors. Do some side climbing, reach 5,000 m after game start (speed will decrease to 250 km/h, but still fine) and continue with a 5-degree climb. Remember, this aircraft is not a dive bomber and should not be treated as such.

In order to side climb efficiently, the ETC 1000/I module and engine modules should be prioritised. After these upgrades, 4 x 1,000 kg bombs will become available to be equipped, which can be used to destroy up to 4 bases (no external wing-carried bombs here). Begin climbing once spawned, and go for the nearest base after reaching >6,000 m altitude. Be careful of enemy interceptors which may snake their way up to your altitude, because you are really vulnerable at low speeds, hence the recommendation to side-climb. Side-climbing will help pilot have enough time to reach high altitudes, and lay in a bombing run.

=== Flight and engagement paths ===
There are multiple rules which should be followed when flying the He 177 in order to prevent and counter a wide variety of threats. The first rule is stay out of Line of Sight (LOS). This is one of the most basic rules for any aircraft, but especially due to the size of the He 177, it is crucial as it is easier to spot a 2-engine bomber at distances than a single-prop aircraft. The He 177 is far from being the easiest plane to conceal, but due to its camouflage, it can become invisible to eye sight if whoever is the threat falls in the trap. Do not rely on the camouflage to conceal you most of the time, it depends on the LOS azimuth, distance and enemy pilot's awareness. The blue colour is reliable on both sea and land environments (specially in winter maps) although it is not recommended to rely on it in Realistic or Arcade battles as, once the aircraft is detected, a marker will appear on the He 177 revealing the position. Depending on the situation and gamemode, there are multiple environmental hiding places which can make the He 177 have a safe flight to the target zone. This can be divided into optical hiding and technological hiding, both of which are to be complimented by each other. The pilot must not focus on just one or the other, both have to be done at the same time in order to achieve the best survivability in game.

==== Optical hiding ====
Hide the aircraft from enemy LOS. This could be by taking a "grass-cutting" flight path (flying as close to the ground as possible), flying behind any sort of environmental obstructions (mountains, inside canyons, inside river banks, etc), or a really high altitude flight. Due to the air spawn capabilities, flight ceiling, cruising speed and battle rating, the He 177 has a much better survivability at high altitudes, mainly for the fact it lacks manoeuvrability and agility due to having a massive wingspan but having very capable and powerful defensive capabilities.

==== Technological hiding ====
Another concern is hiding yourself against all sorts of airborne and surface-based detection systems. While these systems are relatively uncommon at the battle rating, there are various platforms that have search radar.

*'''Ground based radars'''

:If using the He 177 in higher-rank Ground Realistic/Simulator battles, players may encounter radar SPAA with powerful search/tracking radar systems. In this case, take the He 177 as a strategic bomber to destroy targets from high altitudes using the powerful Fritz-X (see [[#Fritz-X combat|Fritz-X combat]]), staying out of range of their armaments and/or radar.

*'''Naval based radars'''

:In naval battles, it is somewhat common to encounter search/track radars. The He 177 will start encountering vessels such as the [[HMS Tiger]], [[SKR-7]], [[Spokoinyy]], [[MPK Pr.12412]], [[Bezuprechny]], etc. All of these vessels are able to detect and effectively destroy the He 177 at a decent range. However, these chances will be reduced if the pilot flies at high altitude (preferably past 4 km). The main advantage of this is that it reduces the AAA accuracy. Now, the drawbacks from flying higher are not as significant compared to when trying to evade ground based radars and wanting to engage.

=== Fritz X sight reticle and guidance ===
[[File:Fritz-X Bomb Sight Picture 1.png|thumb|250px|Fritz X bomb sight similarities with default bomb sight.]]
As with other bombers, the bomb sights are the main aiming tool for delivering ordnance in Air Realistic and Simulator battles. Depending on the speed of the aircraft, flight attitude and altitude, the bomb sight may look different. Note that the bomb sight while using Fritz X varies from the standard bomb sight; it includes a new reticle indicating the guidance of the bomb.

[[File:Fritz-X Bomb Sight Zoomed.png.png|left|thumb|250px|Fritz X guidance reticle]]
First, make sure to set your guidance keybinds to the most comfortable keybinds, it is Alt + WASD by default.

Dropping bombs with standard bomb sights is easy: wait for the target to be on the crosshair, compensate if the target is moving, then drop. While this is true for the Fritz X, the story somewhat changes. Hitting moving targets with the Fritz X is much easier than with unguided bombs. However, it should be noted that the white box marks the limit of where the bomb can be guided and when the bomb hits the ground. The box is actually an overlapping cross, as the bomb falls down and gets closer to the ground, the box will start to close and overlap with the crosshair forming a cross as well, it should be noted that, as the box closes, the guidance area is reduced. After it has successfully hit the ground, the reticle will change to the default bombing reticle (as seen in the GIFs).

==== Fritz X combat ====
The Fritz X is a powerful bomb with a somewhat awkward mass (1,570 kg), but this does not affect the performance. The Fritz X is very good at what it does, but some aspects must be taken into consideration before fighting with it. First of all, the Fritz X is a guided glide bomb, it does not have any rocket propulsion or similar system. The "rocket" like smoke is given by a flare used to guide the bomb. Second, the Fritz X speed is dependent on the carrier's initial speed. If the He 177 is flying at 400 km/h then the bomb will have 400 km/h as its initial speed and gradually increase speed as it falls down. Third, the range of the bomb depends on the altitude of the carrier.

;Against cruisers or battleships

[[File:Fritz-X vs Cruiser gif.gif|thumb|250px|Fritz X vs Cruiser]]
There is nothing more pleasing than watching the Fritz X hitting a ship followed by smoke, a fireball, and the powerful explosion sound it generates. Given the fact that cruisers and battleships are very dangerous due to their superb anti-air capabilities, you cannot hit them everywhere. If you want to maximize the effectiveness of the Fritz X, make sure to aim at the right spots. The first spot is the centre of mass. This is preferable over targeting the turrets which may initiate an ammo explosion, as the Fritz X is not a kinetic penetration-based bomb, it solely relies on penetrating by the explosive power. Cruiser decks might not be heavily armoured, but a cruiser has many decks, meaning the bomb will lose penetration and explosive power as it moves down. Usually the turrets will be destroyed with the ammo elevators. Situationally, the ammo racks will be lit on fire but there will be no critical/fatal damage to the ship's integrity. Whereas aiming at the COM does three main things: destroys exhaust funnels, damages or destroys engines and destroys two or more crew compartments, drastically reducing the ship's remaining crew complement. This number can vary depending on exactly where the bomb hits, but it will often take at least 40% of the crew. The same applies to battleships. However, most battleships tend to have secondary or tertiary ammo racks around the COM of the ship, meaning a COM hit will cause even more damage proportionally than was seen against the cruiser. As expected, you are not able to one-shot a battleship or cruiser with the Fritz X. However, you can cripple them with similar effect as a battleship armour-piercing salvo or even higher with just a single bomb. The second spot is below the waterline, below the waterline explosions tend to do significant damage, but in this case, a COM hit will do much more.
[[File:Fritz-X vs Destroyer gif.gif|thumb|250px|Fritz vs Destroyer]]

;Against sub-chasers or destroyers

As expected, a bomb with an explosive mass of 320 kg is more than likely to cause fatal damage to this type of ship. However, while lightly armoured vessels tend to be destroyed with a single shot by nearly all types of hits, reasonably armoured destroyers tend to take one or more bombs if they are not aimed properly. To ensure a one-shot for any of these vessel types, aim for the turrets instead of the centre of mass. When it comes to destroyers, the number of decks is significantly reduced as well as the armour. The explosive penetration will have no efforts in hitting the ammo racks whatsoever and causing major flooding, significant crew loss, and an ammo explosion followed by scorching fires.

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Not controllable || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Huge payload options, including three Fritz-X guided bombs
* Heavy defensive weaponry with accurate 13 mm and 20 mm turrets
* Fairly durable airframe capable of taking considerable amount of punishments
* Good climb rate for a heavy bomber
* Dual engine aerodynamic, make it quite manoeuvrable for a heavy bomber
* Capable of dive bombings, unlike other heavy bombers

'''Cons:'''

* Vulnerable to frontal and side engagements due to glazed nose and lack of coverage
* Huge fuel and cooling oil tanks can be easily damaged and set on fire
* Engines overheat very quickly when activating WEP and when the cooling system is empty
* Very hard to take off and land, especially with heavy bombloads
* Incapable of flying with one engine only, will keep losing altitude and eventually will have to land or crash

== History ==

Development of the He 177 began in 1936 as part of the Bomber A specifications issued by the German Air Ministry (RLM). The specifications called for a long-range, high-speed bomber with a payload of 1,000 kg. Despite the very demanding specifications, Heinkel began working on a mockup which was submitted for review in late 1937, with an order for 12 experimental machines following shortly after in early 1939. However, throughout its development, the He 177 suffered from a range of problems, some of which weren't even fixed before further development stopped. For example, one of the requirements (which was soon rejected, since it was impossible to implement) from the Air Ministry was the ability to bomb from a dive, that's why the engineers had to make various workarounds to provide the required flight technical characteristics. To reduce aerodynamic drag and to ensure flight range, two DB 601 engines were installed in pairs on one gondola and worked with a common shaft which rotated one four-bladed propeller. Thanks to this it was possible to create the aircraft using a two-engined scheme. But for this reason, the vehicle suffered from severe engine overheating issues and more often than not experienced mid-flight engine failures and frequent fires. In the process of fine-tuning the aircraft, the weight was significantly increased, so it became necessary to install a massive frame which could not be hidden - a relatively thin wing or tightly packed nacelles wouldn't fit. As a result, each frame was divided into two racks, each with a single wheel that could be retracted into the wing on opposite sides of the nacelle.

By 1944, development of the He 177 was considered finished, but by that time, the fortune of war had already turned on Germany and the need for a complex strategic bomber had faded. Nonetheless, over 1,000 He 177s were produced across several variants, with most machines seeing action on the Eastern front. However, despite being made in large numbers, the aircraft ultimately failed to make a difference in the war's outcome as its design maturity came too late, although some of the built vehicles were also used after war's end.

''- From [[wt:en/news/5356-development-heinkel-he-177-a-5-greif-the-flaming-arrow-en|Devblog]]''

The He 177 also attacked Allied shipping. In 1943, the Greif was planned to utilize the Hs 239, a glider bomb that could be controlled by a crewman via radio. The Hs 239 had a 1,100 lb (498 kg) warhead along with a motor that would burn for about 12 seconds. Two Hs 239s could be mounted with one under each wing although it could allegedly carry a third one under the fuselage. The first attack against merchant shipping occurred in late 1943 against convoy SL 139 and MKS 30. Many of the early attacks against one of the ships in the convoy were unsuccessful due to the failures of the Hs 239. The He 177 was also not free from problems. One captain reported a He 177 catching on fire for seemingly no reason (most likely due to the overheating issue) and a couple Greif's never made it back. All in all, the attack was a major disappointment, only slightly remedied by the loss of two merchant ships.

A second attack was launched only a few days later and reliability issues struck again. 21 Greifs initially took off but one had to quickly land after a crankshaft failure. After finding convoy KMF 26, the 20 Greifs prepared for battle only to find enemy Spitfires and P-39s. One hit was scored on a troop carrier however this battle ultimately led to the loss of 12 He 177s, either by enemy aircraft fire, reliability issues, and/or the weather. The He 177 struggled against anti-shipping and measures had to be taken to reduce loss rates. Sorties were flown during the night to decrease the loss rate although this also meant a decrease in effectiveness.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=he-177a-5 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|Q6sYNcaVVO0|'''The Shooting Range #88''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 10:02 discusses the He 177.}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/5356-development-heinkel-he-177-a-5-greif-the-flaming-arrow-en|[Devblog] Heinkel He 177 A-5 Greif: The Flaming Arrow]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/402781-he-177a-5/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Heinkel}}
{{Germany bombers}}

Su-22M4 (Germany)

2024-06-06T23:52:34Z

U4349690: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Su-17/22 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=su_22m4
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

During the 1980s, the Soviet Union and its allies began adopting upgraded variants of the Su-17 fighter-bomber, which was exported as the "Su-22" for Soviet allies. The East German air force would receive 48 of the latest Su-22M4 fighter bomber, along with 8 of the twin-seat [[Su-22UM3K (Germany)|Su-22UM-3K]] trainer aircraft. The German Su-22s would serve as a frontline strike aircraft for the Warsaw Pact countries, and as a primary line of attack during a possible war with NATO. The Su-22M4s would remain in East German service until the re-unification of Germany, when almost all of the German Su-22s were either scrapped or sold off as they were incompatible with NATO hardware and standards. Only a few Su-22M4s were kept and repainted in Luftwaffe liveries for briefly serving as evaluation and testing aircraft.

Introduced in [[Update "La Royale"]] as a continuation of the fighter-bomber line, following its weaker brother, the Su-22UM3K, in the tech tree, the '''Su-22M4''' is the top-range Su-17/22 model, and is nearly identical to the [[Su-17M4]] in the Soviet aircraft tree. This aircraft is characterized by its upgrades over its predecessor in the tree, mainly in that it can carry advanced guided ordnance such TV guided weapons in addition to the familiar laser guided ordnance. The aircraft is also no slouch in the air-to-air department either, now carrying over 250 countermeasures and the all-aspect [[R-60MK]] missiles, delivered swiftly to the enemy's location using the upgraded engine and avionics. All in all, this aircraft serves as a true titan of multirole performance for the aircraft of the German top ranks, excelling at both air to air and air to ground tasks, making it a force to be reckoned with in mixed battles.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 11,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,027 || 2,011 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 27.3 || 27.5 ||167.9|| 161.3 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| _ || _ || _ || _ || _ || _ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Saturn AL-21F-3 || 1
| colspan="2" | 11,245 kg || colspan="3" | 438 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 12m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 40m fuel
|-
| 1,800 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 12,385 kg || 13,102 kg || 14,031 kg || 15,045 kg || 19,302 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 12m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 40m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 6,400 kgf || 9,039 kgf
| 0.73 || 0.69 || 0.64 || 0.60 || 0.47
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 7,232 kgf (1,200 km/h) || 13,188 kgf (1,417 km/h)
| 1.06 || 1.01 || 0.94 || 0.88 || 0.68
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|NR-30 (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 2 x 30 mm NR-30 cannons, wing root-mounted (80 rpg = 160 total)
** 2 x 30 mm NR-30 cannons + 256 x countermeasures + 12 x large calibre countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="5%" | 1 !! width="5%" | 2 !! width="5%" | 3 !! width="5%" | 4 !! width="5%" | 5 !! width="5%" | 6 !! width="5%" | 7 !! width="5%" | 8
| rowspan="21" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_Su-22UM3K_(Germany).png]]</div>
|-
! [[GSh-23L (23 mm)|23 mm GSh-23L]] cannons (250 rpg)
| 1 || || 1 || || || 1 || || 1
|-
! [[OFAB-100 (100 kg)|100 kg OFAB-100]] bombs
| 5 || || 1 || 4 || 4 || 1 || || 5
|-
! [[OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250sv]] bombs
| 1 || || 1 || 3 || 3 || 1 || || 1
|-
! [[OFAB-250Sh (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250Sh]] bombs
| 1 || || 1 || 3 || 3 || 1 || || 1
|-
! [[FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-62]] bombs
| 1 || || 1 || 2 || 2 || 1 || || 1
|-
! [[FAB-500Sh (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500Sh]] bombs
| 1 || || 1 || 2 || 2 || 1 || || 1
|-
! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
| 1 || || || 1 || 1 || || || 1
|-
! [[S-3K]] rockets
| 7 || || || 7 || 7 || || || 7
|-
! [[S-5K]] rockets
| 32 || || 32 || || || 32 || || 32
|-
! [[S-8KO]] rockets
| 20 || || 20 || || || 20 || || 20
|-
! [[S-13OF]] rockets
| 5 || || 5 || || || 5 || || 5
|-
! [[S-24B]] rockets
| 1 || || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || || 1
|-
! [[S-25O]] rockets
| 1 || || || || || || || 1
|-
! [[Kh-25ML]] missiles
| 1 || || || 1 || 1 || || || 1
|-
! [[Kh-29L]] missiles
| || || || 1 || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[Kh-29T]] missiles
| || || || 1 || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[S-25L]] missiles
| 1 || || || || || || || 1
|-
! [[R-60MK]] missiles
| || 1 || 2 || || || 2 || 1 ||
|-
! 820 l drop tanks
| 1 || || || 1 || 1 || || || 1
|-
| colspan="9" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 4,160 kg Maximum permissible wing load: 2,100 kg Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 700 kg
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 4 x 820 l drop tanks
* 2 x R-60MK missiles
* 6 x R-60MK missiles
* 20 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 10 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (2,500 kg total)
* 10 x 250 kg OFAB-250Sh bombs (2,500 kg total)
* 8 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 8 x 500 kg FAB-500Sh bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 28 x S-3K rockets
* 128 x S-5K rockets
* 80 x S-8KO rockets
* 20 x S-13OF rockets
* 6 x S-24B rockets
* 2 x S-25O rockets
* 4 x Kh-25ML missiles
* 2 x Kh-29T missiles
* 2 x Kh-29L missiles
* 2 x S-25L missiles
* 4 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 4 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

=== Air RB ===
The useable loadouts can vary significantly as it can meet anything between 10.0 and 12.0. Generally any loadout carrying 8 FAB-500s is optimal as it can destroy exactly two bases. The R-60MKs are suboptimal in most scenarios due to how susceptible they are to flares, but excel when launched in "melee" (as in: from behind, no more than 800m away), as they tend to fly past the flares and still hit their target. That said, the Su-22M4 should not be used for dogfighting, instead you should engage distracted or vulnerable targets.

A rare but entertaining scenario is when the Su-22M4 meets subsonic aircraft like the [[A-10A Late]] or any [[Su-25 (Family)|Su-25 variant]] as the Kh-29T can in fact be used to engage them and can cause panic as the enemy pilot sees that their flares have no effect.

=== Ground RB ===
The Su-22M4's performance as close air support is as to be expected. The generous rocket load is recommended as even the FAB-500 bombs need relatively high precision to be effective. The laser guided weapons are quite underwhelming as the plane lacks any form of advanced fire control to effectively target anything smaller than a cargo ship.

Where the jet really shines is with the Kh-29T, originally designed against ships, this missile can obliterate any ground target.

* When spawned in, immediately begin climbing at a steep angle and switch to missile view, within a few seconds you should have a clear view of the battlefield.

* Center the crosshair on a target and simply hold the launch button, the missile will fire the moment it acquires a lock.

====== Be mindful of what you engage. ======

===== Do: =====

* Enemy anti air: The [[Pantsir-S1]]<nowiki/>especially is a treat for the missile's guidance system due to its large rectangular shape.
* Targets far from cover. Enemies who think they are safe behind hills are especially good targets.
* Helicopters: Although they can occasionally dodge the missile, it is reasonably effective while keeping you out of their AA missile range.

====== Don't: ======

* Enemies under fire: While much faster than the [[AGM-65 (Family)|AGM-65]], it still takes time for the missile to reach the target, and them deploying smoke or being destroyed will waste it.
* Enemies moving to cover: The missile cannot re-acquire a lock and will self destruct if it loses the target.
* Targets that are off-bore: Although the missile has impressive maneuverability, it still has limits and the plane's nose should be pointing towards the target at ranges closer than 6km.

=== Pros and cons ===

''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''

'''Pros:'''

*

'''Cons:'''

*

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=su_22m4 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

;;Related Development
;*[[Su-17/22 (Family)]]

; '''Other jet planes with variable sweep wings'''

* [[Tornado (Family)]]
* [[MiG-23 (Family)]]
* [[F-14 (Family)|F14 (Family)]]
* [[F-111A]]

== External links ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Germany jet aircraft}}

Tornado IDS ASSTA1 (Germany)

2023-12-28T16:12:54Z

U4349690: /* Countering the Pantsir-S1 */ added some missing text

{{About
| about = strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Tornado (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=tornado_ids_de_assta1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

During the late '90s, while Britain was undergoing its modernization of the Tornado fleet, Germany also began plans to upgrade their older [[Tornado IDS (Germany)|Tornado IDS]] aircraft. The resulting upgrade package, named "ASSTA1" (Avionics System Software; Tornado in ADA) was finalized in 2000, to upgrade the German Tornado fleet for service in the 21st century. ASSTA1 incorporated a complete overhaul of most of the avionics suite, including an entirely new fire control system and weapons computer, GPS and Laser INS navigation suites, and the latest 1760 data bus, giving the Tornado full compatibility with the latest standardized NATO ordnance and their required targeting systems. As a result, in addition to its older loadouts, the ASSTA1 could carry the latest standard NATO guided ordnance, such as the AGM-88 HARM, in addition to the LITENING targeting pod and a plethora of Paveway III laser bomb options. Over the next years, German Tornados would also undergo the ASSTA2 and ASSTA3 upgrades, further enhancing their capabilities.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''', introduced in [[Update "Apex Predators"]], is a two-seat, twin-engine, swing-wing, multi-role combat aircraft built jointly by Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. This version is the Tornado Interdiction/Strike or IDS for short, and as such, is almost completely useless in air-to-air combat against fighters of its battle rating. Instead, the Tornado IDS is best used in mixed battles, where its powerful ordnance and strong avionics allow it to rain hell on enemy aircraft from above. All in all, the ASSTA1 provides great CAS capability for mixed battles to the high ranking players of the German tree.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 12,195 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,335 || 2,311 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 28.4 || 28.6 || 180.4 || 176.5 || rowspan="2" | 800
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,396 || 2,362 || 27.6 || 28.0 || 229.6 || 204.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="60%"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Limits
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
! Min sweep
| 972 || rowspan="2" | 520  || 972 || 552 || 440 || ~__ || ~__
|-
! Max sweep
| 1,555 || N/A || N/A || N/A || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
|< 670||< 650||< 700||N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="6" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Turbo-Union RB199-34R Mk.103 || 2
| colspan="3" | 14,709 kg || colspan="3" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="5" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 16m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 56m fuel
|-
| 968 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning low-bypass turbofan
| 16,236 kg || 16,523 kg || 17,429 kg || 18,789 kg || 19,799 kg || 26,310 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="6" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 16m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 56m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,777 kgf || 7,293 kgf
| 0.90 || 0.88 || 0.84 || 0.78 || 0.74 || 0.55
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,192 kgf (1,400 km/h) || 8,155 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.00 || 0.99 || 0.94 || 0.87 || 0.82 || 0.62
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

The Tornado has no armour to speak of and is relatively large, making it an easy target for enemy guns. Almost any hit to the center part of the Tornado will leave its speed crippled, while any hit to the wings and tail will most likely cripple flight performance, if not disabling the aircraft outright. Although it could in theory make its way back to base even with only one engine, any enemy attention during this timespan will most likely get you sent back to the hangar. It also has 2 pilots, which means that you can continue flying in the unlikely case that only 1 pilot is knocked out.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! Lead indicator
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Mauser BK27 (27 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 2 x 27 mm Mauser BK27 cannons, chin-mounted (180 rpg = 360 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="4.8%" | 1 !! width="4.8%" | 2 !! width="4.8%" | 3 !! width="4.8%" | 4 !! width="4.8%" | 5 !! width="4.8%" | 6 !! width="4.8%" | 7 !! width="4.8%" | 8 !! width="4.8%" | 9 !! width="4.8%" | 10 !! width="4.8%" | 11
| rowspan="9" width="25%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_Tornado_GR.1.png]]</div>
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1, 2‡ || 1, 2‡ * || 1‡ || 1, 2‡ || 1, 2‡ || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[Mk 83 AIR (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb Mk 83 AIR]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1, 2‡ || 1, 2‡ * || 1‡ || 1, 2‡ || 1, 2‡ || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[GBU-16 Paveway II (1,092 lb)|1,092 lb GBU-16 Paveway II]] bombs
| || || 1† || 1*† || || 1†‡ || || || 1† || ||
|-
! [[GBU-24 Paveway III (2,000 lb)|2,000 lb GBU-24 Paveway III]] bombs
| || || || 1*† || || || || || || ||
|-
! [[AIM-9L Sidewinder]] missiles
| || 1 || || || || || || || || 1 ||
|-
! Large calibre countermeasures
| 28 || || || || || || || || || || 28
|-
! LITENING II targeting pod
| || || || || || || || 1† || || ||
|-
! 1,500 l drop tanks
| || || 1 || || || || || || 1 || ||
|-
| colspan="13" | * Guided bombs on hardpoint 4 cannot be equipped with 1,000 lb bombs on hardpoint 5-6 † LITENING II targeting pod must be equipped when using guided bombs ‡ Bombs on hardpoint 6 cannot be equipped with dual bomb mounts on hardpoints 4-8 or GBU-24 on hardpoint 4
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 2 x 1,500 l drop tanks
* 56 x large calibre countermeasures
* 2 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
* 4 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 7 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (7,000 lb total)
* 7 x 1,000 lb Mk 83 AIR bombs (7,000 lb total)
* 12 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (12,000 lb total)
* 12 x 1,000 lb Mk 83 AIR bombs (12,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,092 lb GBU-16 Paveway II bombs (4,368 lb total)
* 1 x 2,000 lb GBU-24 Paveway III bomb (2,000 lb total)
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

There are multiple ways to use the Tornado in ARB, one tactic is to stick to the team and try and give support with your AIM-9Ls on your way to the enemy bases and/or ground targets. This gives you the advantage of team cover and a bit of safety, although you will undoubtedly be in the midst of battle once enemy interceptors and fighters reach your team. The other tactic would be to go full throttle directly to the enemy bases while keeping extremely low to the ground to decrease your chances of being spotted visually or by radar. While this leaves you mostly alone and isolated from the possible support of your team, you will be able to take a more direct route to your main target, meaning you'll be able to evade any slower or unsuspecting enemies. Taking an active role in air-to-air combat is not advised, as the Tornado's flight performance is not suited to it and you'll most likely be shot down very quickly. So keep in mind that although the Tornado is fast, its not very manoeuvrable at high speed so try to avoid faster enemies such as the [[F-16 (Family)|F-16]] or the [[F-14A Early|F-14]]. In the case of 1-to-1 confrontation the best option is to simply hope you are faster and run away, against capable fighters like the MiG-23, F-16, MiG-29, Viggen, F-14, and Mirage 2000 you don't stand a chance, unless the enemy pilot is extremely inexperienced. With countermeasures you are able to survive for longer if you can time their use and can dodge without losing too much of your speed.

====== Ground Battles ======
This variant of the Tornado works best when performing high-speed precision strikes. Although the unguided 1000 lb bombs are more than sufficent for this role, the guided munitions combined with the thermal imaging pod can be used to compensate for the former's relative low explosive yield. In both cases, the FLIR pod automatically creates a drop point for the CCRP system, requiring no line of sight once the target is acquired and the plane is on approach, allowing it to stay at a treetop level, outside the reach of SPAAs. On top of this, the guided bombs glide towards their target and can be used against moving targets, at the expense of having to keep the target in the FLIR's field of view.

====== Countering the Pantsir-S1 ======
Probably the most effective deterrent in the game against air support, the [[Pantsir-S1]] still has a number of flaws, most notably a lack of LWR, that can be exploited in the following steps:

# Alertness: Your RWR system immediately indicates whether a Pantsir's radar is active in the area, however, most Pantsir players will turn off their radar and rely on their thermals and long range IRST systems to engage you without detection. Even if you see no radar signature, you should still '''assume that a Pantsir is present.'''
# Acquisition: Although with the help of the FLIR pod you can easily spot the Pantsir's massive signature, that often means that it can see you too. A single teammate with a scout UAV or other method of reconnaissance can provide its precise location.
# Approach: Do not approach the battlefield directly. Instead, use a wide turn to approach from the flanks, using the terrain as cover. Make sure that the Pantsir isn't in cover from your angle. In most cases it will have its sight turned towards your team's spawn, allowing you to avoid detection.
# Adjustment: Once at a medium range from the target, climb slightly until you have a line of sight on the target, and target it the FLIR pod. Note: a direct lock isn't required unless the target is moving, once stabilized, the target point remains in place even without a line of sight and the laser returns to it once it is back in its FOV.
# Attack: In case of dumb bombs, dive back to treetop level and maintain approach while holding the bomb release key, the CCRP will automatically drop them on the target. When using smart bombs, move the drop cursor near the target and drop the bomb, then roll slightly to either direction pull away to keep the laser on target.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Good acceleration and excellent top speed
** Higher bomb load and speed than SU-22
* Mauser BK27 guns have decent hitting power and ammunition capacity
* Laser-guided munitions give it a good ground attack capability
* Can work as a figther when necessary
** Variable wing sweep allows it to turn better when at low speeds, or during an emergency at high speed (at the risk of destroying itself)
** Radar assisted gun makes intercepting incoming or leaving planes easier

'''Cons:'''

* Full Bomb loadout can severely limit its maximum speed to about Mach 1.05
* Unstable wings, plane can rip itself apart when bombing at maximum speed at low altitude or when doing negative G manoeuvres
* Bad manoeuvrability makes air-to-air combat challenging, low air-to-air missile amount to compensate unlike other attacker options
* Only has access to 2 x AIM-9L for air-to-air purposes
* No search radar for planning around enemies
* Tracking radar is limited to 5°x6° until the target is locked

== History ==

In 1967, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Italy, and the Federal Republic of Germany joined together to form the F-104 Replacement Group to begin joint planning for a Multi-Role Aircraft 75 (MRA-75) as a successor to the Starfighter.

In the UK, there was a need for a successor to the Canberra at the same time. Initially, work was done here on a national development, the BAC TSR.2. After this project was discontinued in 1965, development of a joint swing-wing fighter began with France under the Anglo-French Variable Geometry (AFVG) program. In addition, British forces were looking at introducing the General Dynamics F-111. However, France withdrew from the AFVG project in June 1967, and about six months later the British gave up their option to buy the F-111.

Britain decided to participate in a joint project in 1967 after initial coordination discussions with the F-104 Replacement Group nations. In 1968, the participating countries signed an initial memorandum that aimed at a joint project called the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). At this point, Canada and Belgium withdrew their intentions to participate, followed shortly thereafter by the Netherlands.

In 1969, the definition phase began. The concept of the swing-wing was retained because of its versatility. The goal of the remaining nations, Germany, Italy and Great Britain, was to build a multi-role combat aircraft that could be used for conventional as well as nuclear air attacks, aerial reconnaissance and naval warfare from the air. The Warsaw Pact was seen as an adversary with a strong air defense and, at the same time, the ability to take offensive action against NATO itself with a large force deployment. The emphasis of the resulting operational requirements was therefore on high assertiveness and robustness. To ensure this, the new aircraft was required, among other things, to be capable of extreme low-level flight and precise weapons employment in all weather conditions, day and night, and also to have highly effective self-protection equipment. In addition, it was to be capable of using runways damaged by enemy air attacks. The UK also defined a requirement for a long-range interceptor fighter.

To ensure adequate representation of the interests of the participating nations in this multinational project, their governments decided to establish a joint organization under the NATO umbrella, the NATO Multi-Role Combat Aircraft Development and Production Management Organization (NAMMO). A separate agency, NAMMA, was established as the executive body with personnel from the three nations. NAMMA's mission was expanded in 1987 to include in-service support (NATO Multi-Role Combat Aircraft Development, Production and In-Service Support Management Agency). The agency merged with NEFMA from the Eurofighter program in 1995 to form the NATO EF 2000 and Tornado Development, Production & Logistics Management Agency (NETMA).

The industrial groups involved in the program, British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) and Fiat Aviazione, merged to form the independent international Panavia Aircraft GmbH, based in Munich, which had overall responsibility during the production phase and was the sole point of contact for NAMMA.

In 1969, the invitation to tender was issued for the development of the engine. Here, the British company Rolls-Royce came out on top with the Turbo-Union RB199 engine against the American manufacturers Pratt & Whitney and General Electric, partly because of the high degree of technology transfer offered to the other participating nations. The Turbo-Union Ltd. consortium, based in Great Britain and involving Rolls-Royce, Motoren- und Turbinen-Union (MTU) and Fiat, was set up to manufacture the engine.

Development began on July 20, 1970, after the United Kingdom had prevailed with the concept of the two-seat twin-engine aircraft; based on experience with the F-104 and the Fiat G.91 and for cost reasons, Germany had originally called for only one pilot and only one engine. The envisaged number of aircraft declined from 1,500 (GB: 300, D: 550, I: 200, others: 600) in 1968, including the British fighter version, to 809 (GB: 385, D: 324, I: 100) in 1972. Overall, delivery figures over the entire production and service period totaled: GB: 402, D: 357, I: 100. Production of the assemblies proceeded according to a division of labor. The cockpit and tail sections as well as the vertical stabilizer were manufactured by BAC (later BAE Systems), MBB (later DASA and EADS) produced the center fuselage section and the air intakes, and Fiat (later Aeritalia and Alenia Aeronautica) produced the wings with the high-lift aids. Final assembly took place from 1973 at three sites in Warton (Lancashire, UK), Manching (Germany) and Turin (Italy).

The maiden flight took place in Manching, Germany on August 14, 1974, and in 1976 the aircraft, until then designated MRCA, was given the name Tornado.

Series production began in 1979. In 1980, the first Tornado was delivered to the Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment (TTTE) at Cottesmore for flying crew training. Equipment for operational units in the United Kingdom and Germany began in 1982, followed by Italy in 1984 and Saudi Arabia, the sole export customer, in 1986.

In late 1989, the U.S. Department of Defense investigated whether the Tornado could be used by U.S. air forces in the Wild Weasel role to replace the Phantom F-4G. However, this consideration was discarded in the early 1990s in favor of the existing F-16s.

From 1990 to 1991, the German Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance (ECR) variants were produced, which would later play an important role in the Balkan War. In 1991, the South Korean Air Force expressed interest in purchasing 50 Tornado ECRs. Due to delays caused by technical problems, the number was initially reduced to 24, and eventually the intention was abandoned.

In 1995, 339 Tornado fighter aircraft were in service with the Bundeswehr (Air Force and German Navy). Production of the Tornados then ended in 1998, after a total of 992 had been produced.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=tornado_ids_de_assta1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|3kVkp5-IeNQ|'''The Shooting Range #340''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:24 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==


;[[Tornado (Family)|Related development]]

* [[Tornado GR.1]]
* [[Tornado IDS (1995) (Italy)]]

== External links ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Panavia}}
{{Germany jet aircraft}}

Tornado IDS ASSTA1 (Germany)

2023-12-28T16:11:59Z

U4349690: Added ground RB to the Usage in battles

{{About
| about = strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Tornado (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=tornado_ids_de_assta1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

During the late '90s, while Britain was undergoing its modernization of the Tornado fleet, Germany also began plans to upgrade their older [[Tornado IDS (Germany)|Tornado IDS]] aircraft. The resulting upgrade package, named "ASSTA1" (Avionics System Software; Tornado in ADA) was finalized in 2000, to upgrade the German Tornado fleet for service in the 21st century. ASSTA1 incorporated a complete overhaul of most of the avionics suite, including an entirely new fire control system and weapons computer, GPS and Laser INS navigation suites, and the latest 1760 data bus, giving the Tornado full compatibility with the latest standardized NATO ordnance and their required targeting systems. As a result, in addition to its older loadouts, the ASSTA1 could carry the latest standard NATO guided ordnance, such as the AGM-88 HARM, in addition to the LITENING targeting pod and a plethora of Paveway III laser bomb options. Over the next years, German Tornados would also undergo the ASSTA2 and ASSTA3 upgrades, further enhancing their capabilities.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''', introduced in [[Update "Apex Predators"]], is a two-seat, twin-engine, swing-wing, multi-role combat aircraft built jointly by Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. This version is the Tornado Interdiction/Strike or IDS for short, and as such, is almost completely useless in air-to-air combat against fighters of its battle rating. Instead, the Tornado IDS is best used in mixed battles, where its powerful ordnance and strong avionics allow it to rain hell on enemy aircraft from above. All in all, the ASSTA1 provides great CAS capability for mixed battles to the high ranking players of the German tree.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 12,195 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,335 || 2,311 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 28.4 || 28.6 || 180.4 || 176.5 || rowspan="2" | 800
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,396 || 2,362 || 27.6 || 28.0 || 229.6 || 204.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="60%"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Limits
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
! Min sweep
| 972 || rowspan="2" | 520  || 972 || 552 || 440 || ~__ || ~__
|-
! Max sweep
| 1,555 || N/A || N/A || N/A || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
|< 670||< 650||< 700||N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="6" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Turbo-Union RB199-34R Mk.103 || 2
| colspan="3" | 14,709 kg || colspan="3" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="5" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 16m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 56m fuel
|-
| 968 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning low-bypass turbofan
| 16,236 kg || 16,523 kg || 17,429 kg || 18,789 kg || 19,799 kg || 26,310 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="6" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 16m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 56m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,777 kgf || 7,293 kgf
| 0.90 || 0.88 || 0.84 || 0.78 || 0.74 || 0.55
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,192 kgf (1,400 km/h) || 8,155 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.00 || 0.99 || 0.94 || 0.87 || 0.82 || 0.62
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

The Tornado has no armour to speak of and is relatively large, making it an easy target for enemy guns. Almost any hit to the center part of the Tornado will leave its speed crippled, while any hit to the wings and tail will most likely cripple flight performance, if not disabling the aircraft outright. Although it could in theory make its way back to base even with only one engine, any enemy attention during this timespan will most likely get you sent back to the hangar. It also has 2 pilots, which means that you can continue flying in the unlikely case that only 1 pilot is knocked out.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! Lead indicator
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Mauser BK27 (27 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 2 x 27 mm Mauser BK27 cannons, chin-mounted (180 rpg = 360 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="4.8%" | 1 !! width="4.8%" | 2 !! width="4.8%" | 3 !! width="4.8%" | 4 !! width="4.8%" | 5 !! width="4.8%" | 6 !! width="4.8%" | 7 !! width="4.8%" | 8 !! width="4.8%" | 9 !! width="4.8%" | 10 !! width="4.8%" | 11
| rowspan="9" width="25%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_Tornado_GR.1.png]]</div>
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1, 2‡ || 1, 2‡ * || 1‡ || 1, 2‡ || 1, 2‡ || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[Mk 83 AIR (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb Mk 83 AIR]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1, 2‡ || 1, 2‡ * || 1‡ || 1, 2‡ || 1, 2‡ || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[GBU-16 Paveway II (1,092 lb)|1,092 lb GBU-16 Paveway II]] bombs
| || || 1† || 1*† || || 1†‡ || || || 1† || ||
|-
! [[GBU-24 Paveway III (2,000 lb)|2,000 lb GBU-24 Paveway III]] bombs
| || || || 1*† || || || || || || ||
|-
! [[AIM-9L Sidewinder]] missiles
| || 1 || || || || || || || || 1 ||
|-
! Large calibre countermeasures
| 28 || || || || || || || || || || 28
|-
! LITENING II targeting pod
| || || || || || || || 1† || || ||
|-
! 1,500 l drop tanks
| || || 1 || || || || || || 1 || ||
|-
| colspan="13" | * Guided bombs on hardpoint 4 cannot be equipped with 1,000 lb bombs on hardpoint 5-6 † LITENING II targeting pod must be equipped when using guided bombs ‡ Bombs on hardpoint 6 cannot be equipped with dual bomb mounts on hardpoints 4-8 or GBU-24 on hardpoint 4
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 2 x 1,500 l drop tanks
* 56 x large calibre countermeasures
* 2 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
* 4 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 7 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (7,000 lb total)
* 7 x 1,000 lb Mk 83 AIR bombs (7,000 lb total)
* 12 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (12,000 lb total)
* 12 x 1,000 lb Mk 83 AIR bombs (12,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,092 lb GBU-16 Paveway II bombs (4,368 lb total)
* 1 x 2,000 lb GBU-24 Paveway III bomb (2,000 lb total)
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

There are multiple ways to use the Tornado in ARB, one tactic is to stick to the team and try and give support with your AIM-9Ls on your way to the enemy bases and/or ground targets. This gives you the advantage of team cover and a bit of safety, although you will undoubtedly be in the midst of battle once enemy interceptors and fighters reach your team. The other tactic would be to go full throttle directly to the enemy bases while keeping extremely low to the ground to decrease your chances of being spotted visually or by radar. While this leaves you mostly alone and isolated from the possible support of your team, you will be able to take a more direct route to your main target, meaning you'll be able to evade any slower or unsuspecting enemies. Taking an active role in air-to-air combat is not advised, as the Tornado's flight performance is not suited to it and you'll most likely be shot down very quickly. So keep in mind that although the Tornado is fast, its not very manoeuvrable at high speed so try to avoid faster enemies such as the [[F-16 (Family)|F-16]] or the [[F-14A Early|F-14]]. In the case of 1-to-1 confrontation the best option is to simply hope you are faster and run away, against capable fighters like the MiG-23, F-16, MiG-29, Viggen, F-14, and Mirage 2000 you don't stand a chance, unless the enemy pilot is extremely inexperienced. With countermeasures you are able to survive for longer if you can time their use and can dodge without losing too much of your speed.

====== Ground Battles ======
This variant of the Tornado works best when performing high-speed precision strikes. Although the unguided 1000 lb bombs are more than sufficent for this role, the guided munitions combined with the thermal imaging pod can be used to compensate for the former's relative low explosive yield. In both cases, the FLIR pod automatically creates a drop point for the CCRP system, requiring no line of sight once the target is acquired and the plane is on approach, allowing it to stay at a treetop level, outside the reach of SPAAs. On top of this, the guided bombs glide towards their target and can be used against moving targets, at the expense of having to keep the target in the FLIR's field of view.

====== Countering the Pantsir-S1 ======
Probably the most effective deterrent in the game against air support, the [[Pantsir-S1]] still has a number of flaws that can be exploited in the following steps:

# Alertness: Your RWR system immediately indicates whether a Pantsir's radar is active in the area, however, most Pantsir players will turn off their radar and rely on their thermals and long range IRST systems to engage you without detection. Even if you see no radar signature, you should still '''assume that a Pantsir is present.'''
# Acquisition: Although with the help of the FLIR pod you can easily spot the Pantsir's massive signature, that often means that it can see you too. A single teammate with a scout UAV or other method of reconnaissance can provide its precise location.
# Approach: Do not approach the battlefield directly. Instead, use a wide turn to approach from the flanks, using the terrain as cover. Make sure that the Pantsir isn't in cover from your angle. In most cases it will have its sight turned towards your team's spawn, allowing you to avoid detection.
# Adjustment: Once at a medium range from the target, climb slightly until you have a line of sight on the target, and target it the FLIR pod. Note: a direct lock isn't required unless the target is moving, once stabilized, the target point remains in place even without a line of sight and the laser returns to it once it is back in its FOV.
# Attack: In case of dumb bombs, dive back to treetop level and maintain approach while holding the bomb release key, the CCRP will automatically drop them on the target. When using smart bombs, move the drop cursor near the target and drop the bomb, then roll slightly to either direction pull away to keep the laser on target.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Good acceleration and excellent top speed
** Higher bomb load and speed than SU-22
* Mauser BK27 guns have decent hitting power and ammunition capacity
* Laser-guided munitions give it a good ground attack capability
* Can work as a figther when necessary
** Variable wing sweep allows it to turn better when at low speeds, or during an emergency at high speed (at the risk of destroying itself)
** Radar assisted gun makes intercepting incoming or leaving planes easier

'''Cons:'''

* Full Bomb loadout can severely limit its maximum speed to about Mach 1.05
* Unstable wings, plane can rip itself apart when bombing at maximum speed at low altitude or when doing negative G manoeuvres
* Bad manoeuvrability makes air-to-air combat challenging, low air-to-air missile amount to compensate unlike other attacker options
* Only has access to 2 x AIM-9L for air-to-air purposes
* No search radar for planning around enemies
* Tracking radar is limited to 5°x6° until the target is locked

== History ==

In 1967, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Italy, and the Federal Republic of Germany joined together to form the F-104 Replacement Group to begin joint planning for a Multi-Role Aircraft 75 (MRA-75) as a successor to the Starfighter.

In the UK, there was a need for a successor to the Canberra at the same time. Initially, work was done here on a national development, the BAC TSR.2. After this project was discontinued in 1965, development of a joint swing-wing fighter began with France under the Anglo-French Variable Geometry (AFVG) program. In addition, British forces were looking at introducing the General Dynamics F-111. However, France withdrew from the AFVG project in June 1967, and about six months later the British gave up their option to buy the F-111.

Britain decided to participate in a joint project in 1967 after initial coordination discussions with the F-104 Replacement Group nations. In 1968, the participating countries signed an initial memorandum that aimed at a joint project called the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). At this point, Canada and Belgium withdrew their intentions to participate, followed shortly thereafter by the Netherlands.

In 1969, the definition phase began. The concept of the swing-wing was retained because of its versatility. The goal of the remaining nations, Germany, Italy and Great Britain, was to build a multi-role combat aircraft that could be used for conventional as well as nuclear air attacks, aerial reconnaissance and naval warfare from the air. The Warsaw Pact was seen as an adversary with a strong air defense and, at the same time, the ability to take offensive action against NATO itself with a large force deployment. The emphasis of the resulting operational requirements was therefore on high assertiveness and robustness. To ensure this, the new aircraft was required, among other things, to be capable of extreme low-level flight and precise weapons employment in all weather conditions, day and night, and also to have highly effective self-protection equipment. In addition, it was to be capable of using runways damaged by enemy air attacks. The UK also defined a requirement for a long-range interceptor fighter.

To ensure adequate representation of the interests of the participating nations in this multinational project, their governments decided to establish a joint organization under the NATO umbrella, the NATO Multi-Role Combat Aircraft Development and Production Management Organization (NAMMO). A separate agency, NAMMA, was established as the executive body with personnel from the three nations. NAMMA's mission was expanded in 1987 to include in-service support (NATO Multi-Role Combat Aircraft Development, Production and In-Service Support Management Agency). The agency merged with NEFMA from the Eurofighter program in 1995 to form the NATO EF 2000 and Tornado Development, Production & Logistics Management Agency (NETMA).

The industrial groups involved in the program, British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) and Fiat Aviazione, merged to form the independent international Panavia Aircraft GmbH, based in Munich, which had overall responsibility during the production phase and was the sole point of contact for NAMMA.

In 1969, the invitation to tender was issued for the development of the engine. Here, the British company Rolls-Royce came out on top with the Turbo-Union RB199 engine against the American manufacturers Pratt & Whitney and General Electric, partly because of the high degree of technology transfer offered to the other participating nations. The Turbo-Union Ltd. consortium, based in Great Britain and involving Rolls-Royce, Motoren- und Turbinen-Union (MTU) and Fiat, was set up to manufacture the engine.

Development began on July 20, 1970, after the United Kingdom had prevailed with the concept of the two-seat twin-engine aircraft; based on experience with the F-104 and the Fiat G.91 and for cost reasons, Germany had originally called for only one pilot and only one engine. The envisaged number of aircraft declined from 1,500 (GB: 300, D: 550, I: 200, others: 600) in 1968, including the British fighter version, to 809 (GB: 385, D: 324, I: 100) in 1972. Overall, delivery figures over the entire production and service period totaled: GB: 402, D: 357, I: 100. Production of the assemblies proceeded according to a division of labor. The cockpit and tail sections as well as the vertical stabilizer were manufactured by BAC (later BAE Systems), MBB (later DASA and EADS) produced the center fuselage section and the air intakes, and Fiat (later Aeritalia and Alenia Aeronautica) produced the wings with the high-lift aids. Final assembly took place from 1973 at three sites in Warton (Lancashire, UK), Manching (Germany) and Turin (Italy).

The maiden flight took place in Manching, Germany on August 14, 1974, and in 1976 the aircraft, until then designated MRCA, was given the name Tornado.

Series production began in 1979. In 1980, the first Tornado was delivered to the Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment (TTTE) at Cottesmore for flying crew training. Equipment for operational units in the United Kingdom and Germany began in 1982, followed by Italy in 1984 and Saudi Arabia, the sole export customer, in 1986.

In late 1989, the U.S. Department of Defense investigated whether the Tornado could be used by U.S. air forces in the Wild Weasel role to replace the Phantom F-4G. However, this consideration was discarded in the early 1990s in favor of the existing F-16s.

From 1990 to 1991, the German Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance (ECR) variants were produced, which would later play an important role in the Balkan War. In 1991, the South Korean Air Force expressed interest in purchasing 50 Tornado ECRs. Due to delays caused by technical problems, the number was initially reduced to 24, and eventually the intention was abandoned.

In 1995, 339 Tornado fighter aircraft were in service with the Bundeswehr (Air Force and German Navy). Production of the Tornados then ended in 1998, after a total of 992 had been produced.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=tornado_ids_de_assta1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|3kVkp5-IeNQ|'''The Shooting Range #340''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:24 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==


;[[Tornado (Family)|Related development]]

* [[Tornado GR.1]]
* [[Tornado IDS (1995) (Italy)]]

== External links ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Panavia}}
{{Germany jet aircraft}}

MiG-23BN (Germany)

2023-06-27T11:40:27Z

U4349690: removed some repetition

{{About
| about = strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-23 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig_23bn
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (NATO: Flogger-H) is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Drone Age"]].

MiG-23BN was based on its previous model MiG-23B which a dedicated attacker, where MiG-23B was based on the airframe of 1st generation MiG-23S interceptor. While it looks exactly like previous MiG-23s in-game, all the bombs, AGMs, and rocket pods will certainly tell another story to the targets on the ground while excelling at fast speed to leave the combat area. Alternatively, it can take down aircraft with its gunpods and a similar mobility to the MiG-23 interceptor variants.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

At first glance, aside from having the LSK's emblem (East German Air Force), the MiG-23BN looks exactly like any other Flogger. A closer inspection on its nose gives its identity away: as an attacker, MiG revised the nose with a flat bottom for the B variants; but the BN removed the optical equipment for this exact job. Since it was based on the first-generation MiG-23 but with a R-29B-300 engine, the overall flight performance is very similar to the [[MiG-23M]] in the Soviet tech tree but without AAMs. Experienced players might take the use of its iconic variable swept wing for dogfights, but do keep in mind that a major problem of these 1st generation Floggers were exactly the wings, it might be sufficient to take down heavier jets like Phantoms if utilized the wings well, but having only guns for air-to-air operations makes it a huge target for other jets. Any extra ordnance ranging from bombs up to AGMs affects the flight model severely, so utilize its speed in missions and avoid dogfights unless in dire situation.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,182 || 2,172 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 36.6 || 37.0 || 132.5 || 125.5 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,220 || 2,200 || 35.4 || 36.0 || 179.3 || 155.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="60%"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Limits
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
! Min sweep
| 1,154 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 508 || 473 || ~__ || ~__
|-
! Max sweep
| 1,417 || N/A || N/A || N/A || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 665 || < 650 || < 700 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-29B-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 11,305 kg || colspan="3" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 39m fuel
|-
| 1,780 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 12,666 kg || 13,612 kg || 14,765 kg || 15,835 kg || 18,905 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 39m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 7,950 kgf || 10,208 kgf
| 0.81 || 0.75 || 0.69 || 0.64 || 0.54
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 8,282 kgf (1,417 km/h) || 12,633 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.00 || 0.93 || 0.86 || 0.80 || 0.67
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

The MiG-23BN has only a pair of 16 mm steel plates on the side of the cockpit as extra protection against other targets. If it has to commit to a head-on fight or even a dogfight, it might not have sufficient survivability to leave the combat in one piece.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (200 rpg)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|ZB-500 incendiary}}
{{main|Kh-23M|S-5K|S-8KO|S-24B|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance presets:

* Without load
* 2 x Kh-23M missiles
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 128 x S-5K rockets
* 80 x S-8KO rockets
* 4 x S-24B rockets
* 8 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (800 kg total)
* 18 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,800 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 6 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,500 kg total)
* 4 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 6 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 4 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="7%" | 1 !! width="7%" | 2 !! width="7%" | 3 !! width="7%" | 4 !! width="7%" | 5 !! width="7%" | 6
| rowspan="11" width="20%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg)
| 1 || || || || || 1
|-
! 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs
| 4 || 1 || 4 || 4 || 1 || 4
|-
! 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs
| 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2
|-
! 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs
| 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2
|-
! ZB-500 incendiary bombs
| 1 || || 1 || 1 || || 1
|-
! S-5K rockets
| 16, 32 || || 16, 32 || 16, 32 || || 16, 32
|-
! S-8KO rockets
| 20 || || 20 || 20 || || 20
|-
! S-24B rockets
| 1 || || 1 || 1 || || 1
|-
! Kh-23M missiles
| 1 || || || || || 1
|-
| colspan="7" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 3,050 kg Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 750 kg
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

For players who jumped from the subsonic [[G.91 R/3 (Germany)|G.91 R/3]] into the MiG-23BN, not only it is supersonic and goes up to mach 2.0, it also carries as much ordnance as its TT predecessor [[IL-28 (Germany)|IL-28]]. For players of MiG-27 or MiG-23 variants, the flight performance is very similar as they were built under similar airframe but with some revision differences per blocks (batches). Some players might want to take it for a dogfight for its manoeuvrability as well as the variable swept-wing; but as an attacker, it doesn't have any AAM at disposal, the only viable option is the 23 mm gun for gunning down enemy jets with its fast rate of fire and sufficient damage. Additional 23 mm cannons can be mounted as wing-mount gunpods. The MiG-23BN doesn't have countermeasures either, the airframe is also rather unprotected other than 2 steel plates on the sides of the cockpit, so avoid enemies at all cost and only fight enemies when there's only one of them- any more than this number means the MiG-23BN will become an easy prey for the enemies due to its enormous size.

=== High-altitude bombing ===

For the reasons mentioned above, dogfights should be completely avoided in Air RB and Combined Battles. Instead, in a contested airspace such as Air RB, the MiG-23BN excels as a high-altitude bomber. The two loadouts recommended for this are either 6 500kg bombs (roughly 1.5 bases' worth) or 16 100kg and 2 500kg bombs (1.33 bases' worth, but currently gives higher rewards). With the latter, the optimal drop order is either 2 "drops" first for 1/3s of a base, then the rest for a full hp one, or 12 "drops" first (which coincides with a preset bomb series) for a whole base, and the rest for a 1/3rds one.

After takeoff, maintaining a 10-15° climb allows the jet to reach a 9000m altitude before encountering the enemy. Pilots should watch for condensation trails from the enemy's direction, as that means that an enemy fighter is also climbing to a high altitude. If no support is available, avoid the area until the hostile engages someone else. After reaching 9000-10000 meters, fully extending the wings allows the plane to maintain the altitude without afterburner when in a 3-5° climb. Disengaging the afterburner greatly reduces the range enemy missiles can achieve a lock-on. It is recommended to wait until the bases have respawned at least once, as the bombs can take more than 40 seconds to hit the target, and are easily wasted if a teammate takes out the base.

Once the teammates are returning to base, the CCRP target selector can be used to align the plane with a base, then, holding the bomb series key (with the series set to 4 or 12) and maintaining level flight, allows the bombs to accurately hit the target (With Weapon Maintenance maxed out, the bombs should have near 100% accuracy). Alternatively, a dive can be used to align the bomb indicator and drop manually.

It is not recommended to return to base in a dive, as the plane can destroy itself due to its excessive speed. Keeping the altitude change positive completely avoids this and allows for a greater speed to be maintained.

=== Combined battles ===

Relative to its BR, it is a very fast attacker in-game (only slower than its [[Su-22UM3K (Germany)|Sukhoi counterpart]]) and the payload is sufficient to deal devastating damage to enemies. It might not be as much as USAF's [[F-4C Phantom II|F-4C]] or British's [[Buccaneer S.2|Buccaneer]], but the variety of bombs or AGMs will fit the player's playstyle one way or another. For players who demand a fireworks show on the ground and create as many craters as possible, conventional and incendiary bombs are at your disposal. The KH-23M missiles are arguably the least useful weapon in its loadout. With a ballistic computer, its unguided rockets are actually significantly easier to use than the MCLOS missile and are much more forgiving thanks to the large number it can carry. One unconventional and highly situational use for the AGMs is to launch them at enemy fighters with maximum horizontal guidance. The smoke trail and the movement gives the appearance of a radar-guided missile and can deter inexperienced players. Attempting to actually hit a jet fighter with a manually guided missile yields very little results.

If the enemy SPAAGs, interceptors or in some occasion, helicopters with AAMs (namely, [[TY-90|TY-90s]] found on PLAGF helicopters) are in business, the excellent speed of the MiG-23BN will certainly help you to get away from trouble since there are few jets that can catch up with your mach 2.0 top speed (but in high-altitude). Speed is what makes MiG-23BN unique among jet attackers of its era and BR; any prolonged fight in the combat area hugely increase its risk of meeting its end.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Great top speed
* Great acceleration
* Great energy retention
* Sufficient payload for ground-attack
* Variable swept-wing makes it manoeuvrable
* Equipped with RWR

'''Cons:'''

* Lacks flares
* Lacks AAMs
* Relatively small ammo pool for the fixed 23 mm cannon
* Rather large size makes it easier to hit
* RWR only shows radar pings and locks from 4 sides
* Due to swept wing design it is hard to aim at high speeds
* The plane can only reach up to mach 1 below 5000 meters
* At high altitudes the engine's performance drops significantly

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig_23bn Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|HqDtRttvNBk|'''The Shooting Range #331''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:26 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{Germany jet aircraft}}

MiG-23BN (Germany)

2023-06-27T11:29:38Z

U4349690: /* Usage in battles */ Added RB guide for bombing

{{About
| about = strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-23 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig_23bn
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (NATO: Flogger-H) is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Drone Age"]].

MiG-23BN was based on its previous model MiG-23B which a dedicated attacker, where MiG-23B was based on the airframe of 1st generation MiG-23S interceptor. While it looks exactly like previous MiG-23s in-game, all the bombs, AGMs, and rocket pods will certainly tell another story to the targets on the ground while excelling at fast speed to leave the combat area. Alternatively, it can take down aircraft with its gunpods and a similar mobility to the MiG-23 interceptor variants.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

At first glance, aside from having the LSK's emblem (East German Air Force), the MiG-23BN looks exactly like any other Flogger. A closer inspection on its nose gives its identity away: as an attacker, MiG revised the nose with a flat bottom for the B variants; but the BN removed the optical equipment for this exact job. Since it was based on the first-generation MiG-23 but with a R-29B-300 engine, the overall flight performance is very similar to the [[MiG-23M]] in the Soviet tech tree but without AAMs. Experienced players might take the use of its iconic variable swept wing for dogfights, but do keep in mind that a major problem of these 1st generation Floggers were exactly the wings, it might be sufficient to take down heavier jets like Phantoms if utilized the wings well, but having only guns for air-to-air operations makes it a huge target for other jets. Any extra ordnance ranging from bombs up to AGMs affects the flight model severely, so utilize its speed in missions and avoid dogfights unless in dire situation.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,182 || 2,172 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 36.6 || 37.0 || 132.5 || 125.5 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,220 || 2,200 || 35.4 || 36.0 || 179.3 || 155.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="60%"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Limits
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
! Min sweep
| 1,154 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 508 || 473 || ~__ || ~__
|-
! Max sweep
| 1,417 || N/A || N/A || N/A || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 665 || < 650 || < 700 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-29B-300 || 1
| colspan="2" | 11,305 kg || colspan="3" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 39m fuel
|-
| 1,780 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 12,666 kg || 13,612 kg || 14,765 kg || 15,835 kg || 18,905 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 39m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 7,950 kgf || 10,208 kgf
| 0.81 || 0.75 || 0.69 || 0.64 || 0.54
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 8,282 kgf (1,417 km/h) || 12,633 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.00 || 0.93 || 0.86 || 0.80 || 0.67
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

The MiG-23BN has only a pair of 16 mm steel plates on the side of the cockpit as extra protection against other targets. If it has to commit to a head-on fight or even a dogfight, it might not have sufficient survivability to leave the combat in one piece.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (200 rpg)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|ZB-500 incendiary}}
{{main|Kh-23M|S-5K|S-8KO|S-24B|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance presets:

* Without load
* 2 x Kh-23M missiles
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 128 x S-5K rockets
* 80 x S-8KO rockets
* 4 x S-24B rockets
* 8 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (800 kg total)
* 18 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,800 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 6 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,500 kg total)
* 4 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 6 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 4 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="7%" | 1 !! width="7%" | 2 !! width="7%" | 3 !! width="7%" | 4 !! width="7%" | 5 !! width="7%" | 6
| rowspan="11" width="20%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg)
| 1 || || || || || 1
|-
! 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs
| 4 || 1 || 4 || 4 || 1 || 4
|-
! 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs
| 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2
|-
! 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs
| 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2
|-
! ZB-500 incendiary bombs
| 1 || || 1 || 1 || || 1
|-
! S-5K rockets
| 16, 32 || || 16, 32 || 16, 32 || || 16, 32
|-
! S-8KO rockets
| 20 || || 20 || 20 || || 20
|-
! S-24B rockets
| 1 || || 1 || 1 || || 1
|-
! Kh-23M missiles
| 1 || || || || || 1
|-
| colspan="7" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 3,050 kg Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 750 kg
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

For players who jumped from the subsonic [[G.91 R/3 (Germany)|G.91 R/3]] into the MiG-23BN, not only it is supersonic and goes up to mach 2.0, it also carries as much ordnance as its TT predecessor [[IL-28 (Germany)|IL-28]]. For players of MiG-27 or MiG-23 variants, the flight performance is very similar as they were built under similar airframe but with some revision differences per blocks (batches). Some players might want to take it for a dogfight for its manoeuvrability as well as the variable swept-wing; but as an attacker, it doesn't have any AAM at disposal, the only viable option is the 23 mm gun for gunning down enemy jets with its fast rate of fire and sufficient damage. Additional 23 mm cannons can be mounted as wing-mount gunpods. The MiG-23BN doesn't have countermeasures either, the airframe is also rather unprotected other than 2 steel plates on the sides of the cockpit, so avoid enemies at all cost and only fight enemies when there's only one of them- any more than this number means the MiG-23BN will become an easy prey for the enemies due to its enormous size.

=== High-altitude bombing ===

For the reasons mentioned above, dogfights should be completely avoided in Air RB and Combined Battles. Instead, in a contested airspace such as Air RB, the MiG-23BN excels as a high-altitude bomber. The two loadouts recommended for this are either 6 500kg bombs (roughly 1.5 bases' worth) or 16 100kg and 2 500kg bombs (1.33 bases' worth, but currently gives higher rewards). With the latter, the optimal drop order is either 2 "drops" first for 1/3s of a base, then the rest for a full hp one, or 12 "drops" first (which coincides with a preset bomb series) for a whole base, and the rest for a 1/3rds one.

After takeoff, maintaining a 10-15° climb allows the jet to reach a 9000m altitude before encountering the enemy. Pilots should watch for condensation trails from the enemy's direction, as that means that an enemy fighter is also climbing to a high altitude. If no support is available, it is recommended to avoid the area until the hostile engages someone else. After reaching 9000-10000 meters, fully extending the wings allows the plane to maintain the altitude without afterburner when in a 3-5° climb. Disengaging the afterburner greatly reduces the range enemy missiles can achieve a lock-on. It is recommended to wait until the bases have respawned at least once, as the bombs can take more than 40 seconds to hit the target, and are easily wasted if a teammate takes out the base.

Once the teammates are returning to base, the CCRP target selector can be used to align the plane with a base, then, holding the bomb series key (with the series set to 4 or 12) and maintaining level flight, allows the bombs to accurately hit the target (With Weapon Maintenance maxed out, the bombs should have near 100% accuracy). Alternatively, a dive can be used to align the bomb indicator and drop manually, it is recommended to set thrust to 0 and engage airbrakes to both minimize altitude loss, and to prevent the plane from reaching Mach 1.

It is not recommended to return to base in a dive, as the plane can destroy itself due to its excessive speed. Keeping the altitude change positive completely avoids this and allows for a greater speed to be maintained.

=== Combined battles ===

Relative to its BR, it is a very fast attacker in-game (only slower than its [[Su-22UM3K (Germany)|Sukhoi counterpart]]) and the payload is sufficient to deal devastating damage to enemies. It might not be as much as USAF's [[F-4C Phantom II|F-4C]] or British's [[Buccaneer S.2|Buccaneer]], but the variety of bombs or AGMs will fit the player's playstyle one way or another. For players who demand a fireworks show on the ground and create as many craters as possible, conventional and incendiary bombs are at your disposal. The KH-23M missiles are arguably the least useful weapon in its loadout. With a ballistic computer, its unguided rockets are actually significantly easier to use than the MCLOS missile and are much more forgiving thanks to the large number it can carry. One unconventional and highly situational use for the AGMs is to launch them at enemy fighters with maximum horizontal guidance. The smoke trail and the movement gives the appearance of a radar-guided missile and can deter inexperienced players. Attempting to actually hit a jet fighter with a manually guided missile yields very little results.

If the enemy SPAAGs, interceptors or in some occasion, helicopters with AAMs (namely, [[TY-90|TY-90s]] found on PLAGF helicopters) are in business, the excellent speed of the MiG-23BN will certainly help you to get away from trouble since there are few jets that can catch up with your mach 2.0 top speed (but in high-altitude). Speed is what makes MiG-23BN unique among jet attackers of its era and BR; any prolonged fight in the combat area hugely increase its risk of meeting its end.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Great top speed
* Great acceleration
* Great energy retention
* Sufficient payload for ground-attack
* Variable swept-wing makes it manoeuvrable
* Equipped with RWR

'''Cons:'''

* Lacks flares
* Lacks AAMs
* Relatively small ammo pool for the fixed 23 mm cannon
* Rather large size makes it easier to hit
* RWR only shows radar pings and locks from 4 sides
* Due to swept wing design it is hard to aim at high speeds
* The plane can only reach up to mach 1 below 5000 meters
* At high altitudes the engine's performance drops significantly

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig_23bn Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|HqDtRttvNBk|'''The Shooting Range #331''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:26 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{Germany jet aircraft}}