The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is developed by General Dynamics in the 1960s as a medium-range interdictor and tactical attack aircraft. The aircraft is also suitable for strategic nuclear bombing, aerial reconnaissance, and as well as electronic warfare. In 1967, the F-111 Aardvark entered service with the United States Air Force. In 1973, it also entered service with the Royal Australian Air Force.
The “Cadillac of the F-111 force” and the last version produced for Tactical Air Command was designated as the F-111F. In 1969, the United States Air Force accepted the development of the version. It was produced from 1970 to 1976 with a total number of 106 F-111Fs built. It has an external length of 22.40 meters, an external height of 2.7 meters, and a fuselage width of 1.6 meters. The strengthened wing has a wingspan of 19 meters, a lower swept wingspan of 9.8 meters, and a wing area of 61.07 square meters when spread and 48.8 square meters when swept. It has a tail height of 5.22 meters and a wheelbase of 7.3 meters. The aircraft has an empty weight of 21,410 kg ad a gross weight of 37,557 kg. The maximum takeoff weight is 45,359 kg and the maximum payload is 14,300 kg. It has a fuel tank capacity of 5,020 US gal.
The F-111F is powered by two Pratt and Whitney TF30-P-100 afterburning turbofan engines. It is a low-bypass turbofan which produces a maximum dry thrust of 17,900 lbf each and 25,100 lbf with afterburner. The maximum speed is 1,434 knots at altitude and 795 knots at sea level. It has a ferry range of 3,210 nautical miles with external drop tanks. The aircraft can fly up to 66,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 25,890 feet per minute.
The F-111F version could be loaded with a single 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan six-barreled Gatling cannon in the bomb bay. It has nine hardpoints; eight under the wings and one under the fuselage, plus two attach points in the bomb bay with a capacity of 14,300 kg with provisions to carry combinations of AGM-69 SRAM thermonuclear air-to-surface missile and various bombs such as AGM-130 stand-off bomb, free-fall general-purpose bombs, cluster bombs, hardened penetration bomb, paveway laser-guided bombs, runway-cratering bomb, electro-optical bomb, and nuclear bombs.
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