General Dynamics F-111

The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark (the nickname was unofficial for most of its lifespan, but it was officially named "Aardvark" at its retirement ceremony for the United States Air Force) is a long-range strategic bomber, reconnaissance, and tactical strike aircraft. The F-111 project was long considered an expensive failure, but the end result was a capable, albeit costly, aircraft.

FB-111A strategic bomber

The FB-111A was a strategic bomber version of the F-111 developed as an interim aircraft for the Strategic Air Command to replace the B-58 Hustler and early models of the B-52 Stratofortress. The planned replacement program, the Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft, was proceeding slowly, and the Air Force was concerned that fatigue failures in the B-52 fleet would leave the strategic bomber fleet dangerously under strength. Although 263 planes were planned originally, the total was finally cut to just 76. The first production aircraft was delivered in 1968. The FB-111A never had an official popular name, but it was commonly called the "Switchblade."

Related Topics:
Strategic bomber - Strategic Air Command - B-58 Hustler - B-52 Stratofortress - Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft - 1968

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The FB-111A was 2 ft 1.5 in (650 mm) longer than the F-111A, allowing carriage of about 585 gallons (2,214 L) extra fuel, and was fitted with the longer wings of the abortive F-111B and F-111K for greater range and load-carrying ability. A stronger undercarriage and landing gear compensated for the higher take-off weights (gross weight rose to 119,250 lb/54,105 kg). All but the first aircraft had the Triple Plow 2 intakes and the TF30-P-7 with 12,500 lbf (55.58 kN) dry and 20,350 lbf (90.49 kN) afterburning thrust.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The FB-111A had new electronics, known as the SAC Mk IIB suite. The Mk IIB retained the F-111A's Texas Instruments AN/ANPQ-134 terrain-following radar and Honeywell AN/APN-167 radar altimeter. Radar was the General Electric AN/APQ-114, with a new north-oriented display, a beacon tracking mode, and a photo recording mode. To those components, the FB-111A added a Rockwell AN/AJN-16 inertial navigation system, Singer-Kearfott AN/APN-185 Doppler radar, and the Litton AN/ASQ-119 Astrotracker astrocompass, which allowed navigation by stellar positioning (a similar system had been used on the SR-71 Blackbird). A Horizontal Situation Display was added along with the AN/AYK-6 cockpit display. A unique feature of the FB-111A was that the TFR was integrated into the automatic flight control system, allowing "hands-off" flight at high speeds and low levels (down to 200 feet), even in adverse weather.

Related Topics:
Astrocompass - SR-71 Blackbird

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Armament for the strategic bombing role was the Boeing AGM-69 SRAM (short-range attack missile), two of which could be carried in the internal weapons bay and two more on the inner underwing pylons. Nuclear gravity bombs were also typical FB armament, although it could also carry a substantial conventional bombload to a theoretical total of fifty 750 lb (340 kg) M117 weapons. In 1990, the SRAM was withdrawn from service amid concerns about the integrity of its nuclear warhead in the case of fire, and subsequently only unpowered bombs were available.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The FB-111 became surplus to SAC's needs after the introduction of the Rockwell B-1B Lancer, and the remaining FB-111s were converted to a tactical configuration and renamed the F-111G. They were used primarily for training.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The F-111G did undergo an avionics upgrade program that added a digital computer, dual AN/ASN-41 ring-laser gyro INS, AN/APN-218 Doppler navigation, and an updated terrain-following radar. The astrocompass system was deleted.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The G model did not remain in USAF service for long, being mothballed in 1993, but 15 were bought by Australia to supplement its F-111Cs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Several "stretched" FB-111 variants (the FB-111B, with F101 engines and a longer fuselage, and the greatly enlarged FB-111H, intended as a competitor for the B-1 Lancer) were proposed in the late 1970s, but none were ever built.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~