-Outdated armament for the current meta
The Tornado IDS WTD61 is equipped with only conventional bombs — no incendiary or fire bombs. This severely limits its effectiveness against bases compared to other attackers at this BR.
Its loadout options force you to fly predictable bombing runs, making it easy prey for enemy fighters and SPAA. - Inferior missile performance
The AIM-9L missiles it carries are simply outclassed at this BR.
In comparison, aircraft like the Su-39 are equipped with R-73 missiles, which are vastly superior in terms of maneuverability, seeker capabilities, and overall kill probability. The Tornado has no way to compete in a dogfight or self-defense scenario at this level. - Poor bombing run performance
Even when set up for base bombing, the Tornado’s speed while carrying bombs is lower than many contemporaries at this BR. Aircraft like the Su-39, A-10A Late, and even some strike fighters or multirole jets can reach bases faster or strike more flexibly.
This makes farming bases both slower and riskier, as enemies will often intercept you before you can complete your attack. -Other weaknesses
Poor maneuverability — even in clean configuration, it handles poorly compared to most fighters and attackers you’ll face at 11.3.
Radar and avionics — no advantages that can offset the Tornado’s other shortcomings. Its radar and targeting systems are nothing special compared to other jets at this level. Suggested BR adjustment
In my opinion, the Tornado IDS WTD61 would be more balanced at BR 10.7 or 11.0, where:
It wouldn’t face as many aircraft with top-tier missiles like R-73, fox 1 .
Its bomb load and speed would be more competitive relative to its peers.
It would still provide a challenge without feeling completely outclassed in most matches.
Unfortunately never used them IRL. But I am fighting to get CBUs added sooner rather than later. BL755s could be an alternative to Napalm.
though Napalm does probably need to be re-adjusted. Its effectiveness is too good
I have never had this issue.
Unfortunately, I dont get a 10.0 GRB Tornado IDS (I really want one though) but just come in super low and use CCRP to deliver the bombs on target.
Aim-9L is okay at the BR, just needs to be employed right, though as a strike aircraft, you need to be trying to avoid the enemy team, not dogfight them
Dont compare super-sonic aircraft with sub-sonic. F-111C/F use Aim-9L and the Su-24 uses R-60Ms. Those are the closest equivalents to the Tornado IDS. A Tornado IDS with Aim-9Ms exists and is at 12.3.
Dont dogfight then. Its not built for that. Though that having been said. Ive beaten a F-20 a gunfight before in the GR4.
Hang on? What. Even a Tornado GR1 with its weaker engines, would beat a Su-39 or A-10 to a base with 12x 1000lb. So i have no idea what you are doing to be so slow.
Try a loadout of just 6x MK83 bombs on the belly, and either 30 mins internal fuel + Tanks or 45 mins internal fuel. You may find much greater success. More bombs doesnt equal more reward.
Unfortuantely, you will just have to deal with the Mig-23 and F-104s with Napalm. But I find flanking left and then going for the bases on the right and sneaking behind the enemy team works well.
Also, ARB is a terrible place for ground attackers at the moment. I would advice trying Air Sim Battles.
Again, I would advice not trying to dogfight within it. though again, I have beaten an F-20 in a gunfight before at 12.3.
Never had it IRL. (kinda) again, it is meant for interdiction not interception.
11.0… Probably not, It is a decently fast aircraft, the only argument for it to be 11.0 is the presence of the 12.3s that probably should be 12.7 like the F-18s, so moving them up would resolve a lot of the issues the 11.3s are having and I would also rather see the Tornado get buffs than a BR drop at the moment:
BL755 (Also MW1 & JP233)
Combat Thrust
Finished FM
Radar modeling (mostly A2G stuff though)
Sky Shadow ECM Pods
ARMs (AGM-88 & ALARM)
ASMs (AS-34 & Sea Eagle)
10.7… The Jaguar GR1A is currently 10.7 and is inferior to the Tornado in every respect. Now the Jag should probably be 10.3, not 10.7, and I was thinking that maybe a Tornado Gr1 (early) limited to Aim-9Gs could possibly be 10.7. But any Tornado IDS with Aim-9Ls is easily 11.0+
Unfortunately ALL ground attackers struggle in ARB.
So TLDR:
Try reducing your bomb load. You only need 1x Base kill. Take 6x Mk83 bombs. Switch from charging at the bases to instead flanking and aiming for a later game base kill. Worse case scenario, you drop your bombs on the AI targets.
Stop trying to win dogfights, 9/10 times you wont be able to do anything. Takes practice to manage the wings and combat flaps to stand a chance.
I would recommend playing the Tornado in ASB and not ARB if you can learn the gamemode.
I know the struggles with the Tornados well. I play the Tornado GR1. An 11.7 Tornado IDS (should be 11.3) which not only has the higher BR, but also has weaker engines than any other Tornado in-game. I also played the GR1 a lot before they got the greatly improved FM and they got CMs. I also play the Tornado Gr4 a fair bit which is 12.3, and so faces much much stronger aircraft (though does have tools for that though)
