General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark

1967 COLD WAR GULF WAR STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND VIETNAM WAR

• 1 History of the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
• 2 General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark Specification
  • 2.1 Basic
  • 2.2 Production
  • 2.3 Roles
  • 2.4 Dimensions
  • 2.5 Weight
  • 2.6 Performance
  • 2.7 Performance
  • 2.8 Armor
  • 2.9 Changes

History of the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark

General Dynamics' F-111 Aardvark was deliberately designed from the start as a "swing-wing" platform with variable geometry. The variable-sweep wing principle will allow the aircraft to use three predetermined geometric wing positions that can be invoked to change the aircraft's flight characteristics "on the fly." The first fully extended wing position should be used when increased aircraft weight (due to ammunition and/or fuel) may create additional drag characteristics under the wings to assist the aircraft during takeoff.

Secondary positions can be used for stability and speed at high subsonic speeds. The third position, with the wings fully resting on the fuselage, can be used for maximum "fast" performance at high altitudes.

It is based on this design principle that the F-111 became the world's first operational variable geometry swing-wing aircraft - for future generations such as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat interceptor, the Panavia Tornado multi-role aircraft, etc. The global counterparts paved the way, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 and MiG-27 "Flogger" attack fighters and the Sukhoi Su-17 "Fitter" bomber.

In addition, the development of the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, Tupolev Tu-22 Backfire and Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack bombers will also see larger (and more complex) form of swing-wing philosophy.

The F-111 (later known as the "Aardvark") was a large, two-seat multi-role aircraft that would be a huge success in the upcoming Vietnam War. Two crew members sit side-by-side in a fully disposable cockpit compartment, each with equal access to all controls on the main panel.

Powered by a growing number of Pratt & Whitney branded engines, the F-111 can deploy a variety of laser-guided, search and bomb-dropping points from up to 8 under-wing hardpoints (four under-wing hardpoints - the area under the wing) . fuselage) to retain internal weapons bays, although the area between the engines could accommodate ECM or datalink pods). The aircraft used a vertical tail mounted between the rear of the cockpit and the remaining length of the fuselage between two running engines.

Early development of the F-111 proved problematic and costly. The Fleet Defense derivative, designated the U.S. Navy F-111B, was completely obsolete due to performance and weight issues (the latter issue being directly related to the former).

Even though the system was deployed on the front lines in Vietnam, there were still technical problems with the system. Despite these initial shortcomings, the product evolved into an effective, multi-faceted combat platform and entered service in the late 1990s.

The F-111C becomes the only Australian F-111 operator to export. Delivery of the 24 aircraft, originally ordered in 1963, was delayed until 1973.

Four of these became hybrid reconnaissance/bomber models, such as the RF-111C, equipped with cameras and reconnaissance equipment while still retaining their combat capabilities.

The F-111D is an "upgraded" Aardvark with upgraded engines, new avionics, an improved canopy, and improved air intakes. 96 were delivered in 1974. Delays hampered these deliveries again, as the D model was ordered a few years earlier in 1967. After the "break-in problem", the F-111E became the intermediate model of the D-type.

Of these, 94 of the E models were already on the market even before the D models were fully launched.

The F-111F was the last production version of the Aardvark series. Improved avionics, simplified systems and upgraded features all stem from this new model. The FB-111A "Switchblade" (unofficial designation) is a strategic bomb variant that replaced the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and Convair B-58 Hustlers in service with U.S.

Strategic Air Command. The yield of this type is 76 servings. The F-111K was a British order to fill a void in the BAC TSR-2 bomber program, which was cancelled in 1965, and the Aardvark order itself was eventually cancelled by the British in 1968. The F-111G was used as a trainer.

The development of the F-111 saw the aircraft go through a series of initial production models focused on improving the performance of Pratt & Whitney engines. 42 F-111A models were also converted into the famous EF-111 Raven series electronic fighters (modified by Grumman) and played a role in the Gulf War.

These systems were originally developed to replace aging Douglas EB-66 aircraft. Raven models have a unique bulb on top of the vertical tail.

U.S. Strategic Air Command (SAC) used its FB-111 model from 1969 to 1990, while the U.S. Air Force used it from 1967 to 1998 (the U.S. Air Force batch consisted of Ravens).

General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes