Two Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s performed a mission over Iraq. Although they carried some Laser Guided Bombs, the two British attack planes didn’t use them, as they did not find suitable targets.
On Sept. 27, two RAF Tornado GR4s, deployed at Akrotiri airbase, in Cyprus, performed an armed reconnaissance mission in company with other planes from the international coalition, over Iraq.
Although the British Parliament has approved an attack role for the 6 “Tonkas” currently committed to Operation Shader and limited until yesterday to the reconnaissance role, the two attack jets which flew over Iraq earlier today did not drop any bomb on ground targets, as no “appropriate target” was identified.
The RAF Tornado jets, supported by a Voyager tanker, carried three Paveway IV LGBs (Laser Guided Bombs) and a Litening III pod that enabled the aircraft to gather intelligence that, according to the UK MoD “will be invaluable to the Iraqi authorities and their coalition partners in developing the best possible understanding of ISIL’s disposition and help acquire potential targets for future operations, either by aircraft or Iraqi ground forces.”
Image credit: RAF / Crown Copyright, Corporal Mike Jones/MOD
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So what are the two weapons on the outboard wings?
They are not weapons but Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) pods
If you mean outboard pylons they are the BOZ-101 chaff/flare pod (on the right) and a Sky Shadow ECM pod (left).
Thanks.
can’t fight with insurgents from 10000 meters altitude…
It’s more likely there haven’t been any targets confirmed or coordinated to the degree the RAF requires so they haven’t dropped any ordinance since they don’t fully know what they’ll hit. The RAF has much different ROE than the USAF and likely more so in this case.
why are the home base locations identified for all USAF aircraft but not RAF aircraft?
Curious, The RAF decided not to launch weapons for a reason. Besides why waste a few Paveways on low value targets?
Look at that lonely ASRAAM.
Is that meant to be pronounced as “ass-ram?” Because that is an incredible name for an air-to-air missile.