Sky Warriors: The F111 AARDVARK

The F-111 is a supersonic, all weather multi purpose fighter-bomber that achieved one of the safest operational records of any aircraft in U.S. Air Force History. The F-111 was the first production aircraft with variable swing-wings, able to change geometry to enchance its efficiency,and also boasted the first crew escape module as well as the first terrain-following radar. The F-111 was unofficially known as the Aardvark because of it's long nose. The Aardvark name finally became official at a ceremony in 1996 retiring the last four F-111's in U.S. Air Force service. Although no longer in U.S. Air Force inventory, The Australians plan to fly their Aardvarks well into the 21st century.

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Entertainment

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• f111
• aardvark
• fighter
• no
• weapons
• bomber
• desert
• storm
• countermeasures
• pod
• flight
• aviation
• combat
• aircraft

[ToonandBBfan]

This airplane carried up to 31,500 lbs of ordanance.

Thats more than the Strike Eagle or the Tornado!

[brettt777]

Anyone know what the G limit is on an F-111?

[jr242365]

I taught maintenance on them at RAF Lakenheath from 85 to 88. Also crewed at pease AFB NH, and Platsburgh AFB NY. Supervised training at Mountain Home AFB ID.

[supressorgrid]

@hotspurschool They used to come out of Upper Heyford all the time.

[hotspurschool]

Growing up in the North East of England during the 70s and 80s, these were a familiar sight - and an awesome one. Cold War engineering at its finest. We also used to get Vulcans regularly, as we were in the middle of the UK's biggest tactical training range. Happy days!

[kelsdon01]

The only reason this was classed as the safest MP fighter/bomber in the US is because of the ejectable crew module, the only reason the Australians kept in service so long, was because they would never eject on a landing gear failure....they would just let their balls absorb the impact, and still walk away :-) Pretty bird, and well flown down under!

[F3rgo666]

Sadly retired for good now Downunder :(

[EnterpriseXI]

is the F-111 part of the Century Series fighters?

[KiloByte69]

@vodkasvictim

lolpe

[braindrill]

I love and miss the F-111. Okay my question is -- song title and artist for the first song that is playing during the video. My ears think it is Eric Johnson. I just have to know.....I going crazy trying to think who it is and title of song. The F-111 was way cool to watch in the New Mexico sky.