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Aviation History
1982
1982 - 0069.PDF
F-111: strike fighter for the 1990s? GRAHAM WARWICK reports from FORT WORTH CARKYING nuclear or conven tional weapons, the General Dynamics F-111 is a unique element in the US Air Force. Today, of all US tactical fighters, only the F-111 is capable of supersonic, terrain-follow ing penetration in all weathers. In the 1990s, new all-weather fighters, derivatives of the F-15 or F-16, will be in service, but General Dynamics believes that the F-lll's unique pay- load/range capability will continue to be irreplaceable into the next century. General Dynamics built 562 F/FB- 111s between 1962 and 1976, includ ing 23 development airframes. The two-seat, twin-engine, variable-geom etry aircraft was built in the follow ing versions: F-111A Initial Tactical Air Command (TAC) model, with analogue avionics and Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-3 (10,7501b dry/18,5001b reheat) turbo- fans: 159 built between 1962 and 1969, of which 86 are still operational; 42 earmarked for conversion to EF- HlAs; and four purchased as attri tion replacements by the Royal Aus tralian Air Force. F-111B Proposed US Navy all-weather fighter, with Hughes AWG-9/AIM-54 Phoenix weapon system and extended wingtips; five prototypes and two pro duction aircraft built before the pro ject was cancelled in 1968. FU1C Version of the F-111A for the RAAF, with extended wingtips from the F-111B and uprated undercarriage from the FB-111A; 24 built between 1963 and 1969, of which 20 are still operational—four of these have been converted to RF-111C reconnaissance configuration. FB-111A Long-range bomber de veloped for Strategic Air Command to fill gap left by cancellation of B-70 Valkyrie, with digital avionics iner- tial navigation, TF30-P-7 (12,3501b/ 20,3501b) turbofans, improved inlets, extended wingtips, and uprated undercarriage; 76 built between 1966 and 1971, of which 61 are still opera tional. F-111D Digital development of F-111A, with improved nav/attack systems from the FB-111A and uprated TF30- P-9 (12,4301b/20,8401b) turbofans; 96 built between 1966 and 1973, of which 81 are still operational. F-111E Basically an F-111A, with analogue avionics and P3 engines, but with an improved stores management system and redesigned inlets; 94 built between 1968 and 1971, of which 78 are still operational. F-111F Much improved TAC version, with digital avionics and uprated TF30-P-100 (14,6501b/25,1001b) turbo fans; 106 built between 1969 and 1976, of which 94 are still operational —all equipped to carry Pave Tack pods. F-lllAs equip the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW), Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), Idaho, as will the EF-111A electronic war fare aircraft. F-lllDs equip the 27th TFW, Cannon AFB, New Mexico. In peacetime, these aircraft train crews for European-based F-lllEs and Fs. Wartime roles are those of the F-111E/F—theatre nuclear strike, conventional deep-penetration inter diction, and counter-air attack. Addi tionally, F-111 As and Ds are assigned to support the Rapid Deployment Force. FB-lllAs equip the 380th Bomb Wing (BW), Plattsburgh AFB, New York, and 509th BW, Pease AFB, New Hampshire. Their primary role is strategic nuclear strike, armed with Short-Range Attack Missiles or free- ftdf FLIGHT International, 9 January 1982 Heading A pair of General Dynamics F-IIIDs of the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing, Cannon AFB, New Mexico. Right Data from the 1979 Nato Reforger exer cise shows the effect of typical European weather on operations 634 F-111 All other fighters 73% lost to weather 258 30% 64% 169 86 % Sorties scheduled Sorties flown Sorties effective 67
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