UNTERSCHLEISSHEIM, Germany, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- The first production model of the upgraded Tornado combat aircraft for the German air force has been flown to certify electronic improvements.
Cassidian, which is responsible for the electronic upgrades, said that with the maiden flight this month and continued certification testing, the jet is on schedule for delivery to the German air force this year.
The Tornado is built by a German-Italian-British consortium comprised of Panavia GmbH, Alenia Aeronautica and BAE.
The ASSTA 3.O upgrade includes a Multifunctional Information Distribution System / Link 16, a state-of-the-art radio device, a digital video and voice recorder and the integrated Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition.
Cassidian said that it has already started work on a ASSTA 3.1 version of the aircraft's electronic systems. Work involved includes replacing monochrome TV/tabs with color displays and integrating the MIDS Basic Package with a full Mission Control/Situation display.
