High Gallery
 |
Military Aircraft
Boeing / NASSA F-111 AFTI Photo by Coil B. Thouanel |
| Under a US Air Force contract, Boeing began work in 1979 on an experimental plane initially designated the F-111/MAW (Mission Adaptive Wing). This was a radical development of the General Dynamics F-111A variable geometry interdictor with new variable camber wings of very advanced concept. Instead of the F-111A's hinged high left and control surfaces on the leading and trailing edges, the F-111/MAW's wings have integrated leading and trailing edge segments made of flexible fiberglass with internal articulation allowing completely variable aerofoil camber alone the full span. The plane first flew in October 1985. The initial 30 flights were concerned with evaluation of aerodynamic loading, handling and camber optimization for various flight regimes, but from August 1986 more complex trials were undertaken into automatic flight control. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: Boeing | Length: 75 ft. 6.5 in |
| First Flight: October 1985 | Height: 17 ft. 0.5 in. |
| Model: F-111/AFTI | Wing Span: 63 ft. 0 in. spread / 31 ft. 11.5 in. swept. |
| Crew: Two | Wing Area: 525.0 sq. ft. |
| Nickname: | Empty Weight: 46,500 lb. |
| Basic Role: Air superiority fighter Experimental aircraft. | Max. Weight: 76,000 lb. |
| Other Versions: Sole prototype | Armament: |
| Principal User: USA. |
Propulsion |
|
Performance |
Power Plant: Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-3 turbofan. |
| Range: 1,320+ mph. or mach 2.0 at 36,000 ft. | Horsepower: 18,500-lb reheated thrust |
| Max. Speed: | No. Of Engines: Two |
| Ceiling: | |
| Climb Rate: |