The former Royal Air Force Tornado F2, acquired by the future NASA chief, is the specially equipped TIARA (Tornado Integrated Avionics Research Aircraft), used as a testbed for various avionics and aerospace technologies.
The work on the Tornado F2 acquired by Jared Isaacman, the soon-to-be NASA chief, is progressing steadily, with the former CEO of Red Air services provider Draken International saying he expects the first flight by 2025. Sharing images of the jet being restored inside a hangar on Dec, 27. 2024, Isaacman said the certification of the jet will ultimately be determined by “long-lead items like the egress system pyro,” referring to the rocket motors on the ejection seat that propel it out of the canopy.
Isaacman revealed the acquisition of the jet in Jul. 2024, before sharing pictures between September and November and showing the fighter in progressive stages of overhaul and assembly. In one of these posts on X, he revealed that the Tornado F2 will sport “historic Battle of Britain colours.” Together with the two MiG-29UBs already in his possession, the Tornado will fly in air shows and “support Polaris training, R&D & test pilot training flights.” Polaris is Isaacman’s private spaceflight program.
For the aviation enthusiasts out there, the Tornado F2 is coming together. The long-lead items, like the egress system pyro, will ultimately drive certification. I expect first flight in 2025. pic.twitter.com/ooocH6FuVf
— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) December 26, 2024
The former RAF (Royal Air Force) Tornado, serial number ZD902 (more about this later), is an F2 model, the interceptor variant of the Panavia Tornado, none of which are flying anywhere in the world today. It is also called the Tornado ADV (Air Defence Variant), and was specifically developed for the RAF to intercept fast-flying, high-altitude Soviet long-range bombers entering the British isles’ airspace.
The Tornado is otherwise originally famous for its reconnaissance-strike role, embodied in the Tornado IDS (Interdictor/Strike). Another SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defense) variant is called the Tornado ECR (Electronic Combat/Reconnaissance).
Overhaul progress
Isaacman first revealed the arrival of the Panavia Tornado F2 interceptor in the United States on Jul. 2, 2024, sharing pictures that showed the aircraft wrapped in protective plastic coating on the back of a truck trailer. Another picture captured it sitting in a hangar with its tail, wings and horizontal stabilizers detached.
The next aviation project has arrived in the hangar. The Tornado F2. She can fly low and very fast w/ a variable-sweep wing. I imagine it will take a year but she will fly again. pic.twitter.com/sdZvbuL4qO
— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) July 1, 2024
In a subsequent post on Sep. 5, he showed the Tornado F2’s horizontal stabilizers being attached, saying the “team is making progress” in assembling the aircraft.
The team is making progress. pic.twitter.com/sStrG6vseK
— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) September 5, 2024
Then, on Nov. 26, 2024, he shared pictures of the rare two MiG-29UBs in his possession being sent away to Europe for overhaul, while adding that the British Tornado F2 would “sport historic Battle of Britain colors.” “All will eventually fly at airshows and support Polaris training, R&D & test pilot training flights,” added Isaacman.
Not as cool as rockets, but for aviation fans: two MiG-29UBs are off to Europe for overhaul & a British Tornado F2, soon to fly, will sport historic Battle of Britain colors. All will eventually fly at airshows and support Polaris training, R&D & test pilot training flights. pic.twitter.com/p2tWwvbbyE
— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) November 26, 2024
Two other images in the thread had shots of the cockpit and the exterior of the now reassembled jet being lit up, after the variable-sweep wings and tail were attached and the Tornado was standing again only on its landing gears without the jacks.
Isaacman said this was the “First power on test of the Tornado,” which involves checking whether the electrical supply and electric circuits are functioning correctly. The panels on the airframe around the tail and horizontal stabilizer joints are removed and the actuators operating the control surfaces are still visible, as can be seen in the pictures.
First power on test of the Tornado pic.twitter.com/AwMOPopGBJ
— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) November 26, 2024
In the same thread, replying to a comment, Isaacman said that the jet is being restored in Bozeman, Montana. All three aircraft (including the two MiG-29s that were shipped to Europe, which will be brought back after restoration) will eventually be certified by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) before returning to flight.
Hey Jeff – The Tornado is a unique low-time F2 variant called TIARA. It’s currently being restored and FAA certified in Bozeman. As usual, the seat pyro is the long lead item.
I flew a Draken mission out of Holloman in 2016 and saw the German Tornados in action—love the thrust…
— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) November 26, 2024
The Tornado F2 in Isaacman’s possession
According to The War Zone, the Tornado F2, of which only 18 were ever built, was the initial production version of the ADV for the RAF, and was first fielded to operational units in 1984. The F2 was used to train aircrew on what was, for its time, a state-of-the-art interceptor. This version doesn’t have an onboard radar, as seen in the open nose cone, as it was added to the newer Tornado variant.
The full-rate production ADV model was called the Tornado F3, introduced in 1989, which was powered by RB.199 engines and had greater air-to-air missile payload, among other upgrades. It was also operated by the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) and the RSAF (Royal Saudi Air Force). Both Italy and Saudi Arabia, the former in 2004 and the latter in 2011, had phased out their Tornado ADVs and replaced them with Eurofighter Typhoons.
Operational Tornado ADVs carried four Skyflash or AIM-120 AMRAAM beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles (AAM), four AIM-9 Sidewinders or AIM-132 ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missiles, a 27mm cannon with 180 rounds and external fuel tanks. The tanks and short-range AAMs were carried on rotating wing pylons, which adapted to the wing sweep, while the BVR AAMs were carried in semi recessed positions below the fuselage.
Nice to see all the excitement around TIARA. The team will get her flying again and we will honor the heritage with a historic RAF paint scheme. pic.twitter.com/B5rcNdDVMP
— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) July 2, 2024
Additionally, Isaacman had previously identified the Tornado F2A ZD902 as the TIARA (Tornado Integrated Avionics Research Aircraft). As mentioned above, the RAF retired its last F3s and TIARA in 2011, with the latter being used as a testbed for various electronics, avionics, IRST (Infra-Red Search and Track), HMDs (Helmet-Mounted Displays), data processing and sensors.
ZD902 had previously been operated by U.K.’s defense technology firm QinetiQ, which works on many of the MoD’s (Ministry of Defense) research and development projects. ‘Jet Art Aviation’ shared an image of ZD902 on Mar. 23, 2020, captured at RAF Coningsby in 1986, stating that it was upgraded to F2A specifications in 1988 and is the only Tornado F2A in existence.
Tornado F2A ZD902, shown here at RAF Conningsby in 1986 on 229 OCU. 2 years later, ZD902 was upgraded to F2A spec becoming the only Tornado F2A in existence. ZD902 is currently in our custody as part of the Jet Art Aviation stable. Thanks to Vic Hemming for sharing this photo pic.twitter.com/LEFO7gdrUz
— Jet Art Aviation (@JetArtAviation) March 23, 2020
According to a Jan. 2016 article by Jalopnik (Foxtrot Alpha) on ZD902, which reported it being put on listing for sale, the F2A is a “unique version” of the Tornado F2 ADV fighter-interceptor variant. It bears the “primary configuration of the F2 but it is a unique testbed aircraft,” the report added.
The report also carried a link back to the listing page on Jet Art Aviation, which has now been removed, presumably after Isaacman acquired it. That listing said:
“This is a rare ‘T-Bird’ Twin Stick variant of the Tornado with full flying controls in both the front and rear cockpits. Airframe hours are a ridiculously low 935 hrs. Fitted with RB199 Mk103 afterburning turbofan engines, this former Royal Aircraft Establishment Trial Aircraft was used for Sea Harrier FA2 radar trials and for avionics research and evaluation. The cockpit is one of a kind modified with MFD screens and a prototype holographic Head Up Display.
This Air Defense Variant, known as TIARA (Tornado Integrated Avionics Research Aircraft) was built in 1984 and was last flown in November 2011. She comes complete with MOD F700 as well as a detailed print out log of all the flights ever flown including landing, take-off, rollers and arrested landings she ever performed.”
