![]() He regularly writes about military hardware, and is the author of several books on military headgear including A Gallery of Military Headdress, which is available on. Now a Senior Editor for 1945, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer who has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites. The United States Air Force retired the last F-111F in 1996 when it was replaced by the F-15E Strike Eagle for medium-range precision strike missions, while the supersonic bomber role was assumed by the B-1B Lancer. In total, 566 F-111s of all series were built 106 of them were production F-111Fs. Just five years later, the F-111F proved to be one of the most effective Allied aircraft in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, where it flew more than 2,400 sorties against Iraqi strategic sites, vehicle formations and hardened bunkers. In addition, one F-111 was lost over Libya and crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. Navy later claimed that the entire operation could have been accomplished using Navy assets. Although the mission was deemed a success, it was not without controversy. Navy aircraft carriers, the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) and the USS America (CV-66), launched fourteen A-6E strike aircraft and twelve F/A-18 and A-7 strike support aircraft. As the aircraft approached Libya, two U.S. The F-111s faced a 3,500-mile flight with four aerial refuelings each way due to flight restrictions. Taking off from Royal Air Force Lakenheath and Royal Air Force Upper Heyford in the United Kingdom and flying round-trip to Libya – a distance of 6,400 miles and spanning 13 hours – it was the longest fighter combat mission in history. The aircraft could track and designate ground targets for laser, infrared and electro-optical bombs.Įighteen aircraft were employed, along with four EF-111A Raven electronic warfare variants, during the April 14, 1986, “ Operation El Dorado Canyon” airstrikes on Libya. While the Navy subsequently canceled its program, the Air Force forged ahead. The F-111 Aardvark had been originally conceived in early 1960 to combine the United States requirement for a fighter-bomber with United States Navy’s need for an air-superiority fighter. It also pioneered the use of after-burning turbofan engines. ![]() It was truly a cutting-edge multi-role aircraft, including being the first production variable-geometry wing aircraft as well as to feature terrain-following radar for low-level, high-speed flight. It was a long-range, all-weather strike aircraft that was capable of navigating at low levels to destroy targets deep in enemy territory. Production variants of the F-111 had it serve in roles that included ground attack/interdiction strategic bombing, with nuclear weapons reconnaissance and electronic warfare. military services, the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark proved to be a major success, albeit with a rocky start. Some even say it was the best strike aircraft the US military ever had: Developed to meet a bold United States Department of Defense (DoD) edict that called for a multi-role aircraft that could meet all future tactical needs of all U.S. Some even say this cold warrior was retired too early. The F-111 was a beast of a plane and served for many years with distinction.
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