High Gallery
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U. S.
Military Aircraft General Dynamics F-111F Aardvark Photo by P. Bigel |
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In November 1962 General Dynamics was awarded a contract to developed the "swing wing" TFX as a joint air force and navy fighter. Thus began one of the costliest and most controversial aircraft programs on record. the two requirements were too difficult to reconcile, and the overweight F-111B naval model was eventually canceled. The F-111A flew in December 1964, and enter service in October 1967. Early aircraft were deployed to the Vietnam War in March 1968, but loss of two out of six machines in five days showed that development was still incomplete. Extensive refinement followed, and the F-111 has since developed into one of the US Air Force's most important tactical warplane series. A notable event was the types use in the 1987 American retaliatory attack on Libya. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: General Dynamics | Length: 73 ft. 6 in. |
| First Flight: December 1964 | Height: 17 ft. 1.5 in. |
| Model: F | Wing Span: 63 ft. 0 in. spread and 31 ft. 11.5 in. swept. |
| Crew: Two | Wing Area: 525.0 sq. ft. spread and 657.3 sq. ft. swept. |
| Nickname: Aardvark | Empty Weight: 47,481 lb. |
| Basic Role: All weather strike and attack warplane. | Max. Weight: 100,000 lb. |
| Other
Versions: F-111 with TF30-P3 engine.
F-111C Australia aircraft combining the F111A with wing of the FB-111A strategic bomber model. F-111D aircraft with better electronics and TF30-P-9 engine. F-111E aircraft with improved engine inlets and an inertial navigation systems. F-111F aircraft of the definitive tactical model with all round improvement of the airframe and electronics and considerably upgraded in service with advanced targeting equipment. |
Armament: One 20-mm multi barrel cannon and up to 31,500 lb of disposable stores. |
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Principal User: Australia, and USA. |
Propulsion |
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Performance |
Power Plant: Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-100 turbofan. |
| Range: 2,925 + miles. | Horsepower: 25,100-lb repeated thrust. |
| Max. Speed: 1,650 mph. or Mach 2.5 at 36,000 ft. | No. Of Engines: Two |
| Ceiling: 60,000 ft. | |
| Climb Rate: |