The F-111 Aardvark was a medium-range fighter-bomber aircraft which was developed and manufactured by the US firm General Dynamics at the behest of US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, who was interested in a medium-range ground-attack and fighter aircraft for the USAF. The prototype, the XF-111A (TFX), performed its first flight on December 21, 1964. This new supersonic interdictor entered service with the US Air Force as the F-111A on July 18, 1967. Variants included the F-111A, F-111D, F-111F, F-111G, which were operated by the USAF.
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was an attack swing-wing aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy defenses to deliver bombs on the target. The F-111 had an internal weapons bay and a cockpit with side by side seating. The wing sweep varies between 16 degrees and 72.5 degrees. The airframe is made up mostly of aluminum alloys with steel, titanium and other materials used in places. The fuselage is a semi-monocoque structure with stiffened panels and honeycomb sandwich panels for skin. Most F-111 variants included a terrain-following radar system connected to the autopilot. This bomber fighter was powered by two Pratt & Whitney TF30 afterburning turbofan engines. The F-111 was replaced by the F-15 Eagle, and by the B-1B Lancer in its bomber role, as it was withdrawn from service in USAF in 1998. The Australian Air Force is the only remaining operator of this fighter (the F-111C and the RF-111C variants).
Specifications
Engine: two Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-100 afterburning turbofans.
Maximum speed: Mach 2.5 (1,650 mph, 2,655 km/h)
Combat radius: 1,330 mi (1,160 nmi, 2,140 km)
Range: 4,200 mi (3,700 nmi, 6,760 km)
Service ceiling: 66,000 ft (20,100 m)
Length: 73 ft 6 in (22.4 m)
Wingspan: Spread: 63 ft (19.2 m); Swept: 32 ft (9.75 m) Crew: two (pilot and weapons system operator)
Weapons: one M61 Vulcan 20 mm (0.787 in) gatling cannon; GBU-10 (907 kg), GBU-12 (227 kg) laser-guided bombs; cluster bombs.
F-111 Aardvark (Video)
