What Is The F-111 Aardvark?
The F-111 Aardvark. Pioneered variable-sweep wings, terrain-following radar, and afterburning turbofans for low-level strike missions.
United States
Origin
Strike
Role
Mach 2.5
Top speed
20,100 m
Service ceiling
F-111 Aardvark Specifications
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark pioneered variable-sweep wings, afterburning turbofans, and automated terrain-following radar for supersonic low-altitude strike missions. Capable of Mach 2.5 at altitude, it carried internal weapon bays and heavy ordnance payloads over long distances.
Performance
Top speed
Mach 2.5 (1,650 mph)
Service ceiling
66,000 ft (20,100 m)
Combat radius
1,160 nmi (2,140 km)
Rate of climb
25,800 ft/min (131 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
2 (Side-by-side)
Length
73 ft 6 in (22.40 m)
Wingspan
63 ft 0 in (19.20 m) spread/32 ft 0 in (9.74 m) swept
Empty weight
47,200 lbs (21,410 kg)
Engine
2x Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-100 afterburning turbofans
Service
First flight
21 December 1964
Unit cost
$15 million
Operators
United States (USAF), Australia (RAAF) - All Retired
What Weapons Does The F-111 Aardvark Carry?
The F-111 Aardvark featured an internal weapon bay and variable-sweep wing hardpoints carrying 31,500 lbs of ordnance, including Pave Tack laser-guided bombs, AGM-69 SRAM nuclear missiles, and conventional iron bombs.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
M61 Vulcan
Category
20 mm Rotary Cannon
Loadout
1 internal cannon (optional)
Range
1,800 metres (effective)
GBU-15
Category
Precision-Guided Bomb (Electro-Optical)
Loadout
Up to 2 bombs
Range
24 km (15 miles)
GBU-10 Paveway II
Category
Precision-Guided Bomb (Laser)
Loadout
Up to 4 bombs
Range
Gravity released
AGM-130
Category
Rocket-Boosted Guided Bomb
Loadout
Up to 2 missiles
Range
65 km (40 miles)
Mark 82
Category
General-Purpose Bomb
Loadout
Up to 24 bombs
Range
Gravity released
B61
Category
Tactical Nuclear Bomb
Loadout
Up to 2 bombs
Range
Gravity released
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The F-111 Aardvark?
The F-111 reaches Mach 2.5, around 1,650 mph, at altitude – as fast as the F-15 – while also being able to fly at Mach 1.2 at treetop height. Its terrain-following radar could hold the aircraft at 200 feet above the ground automatically, in darkness and cloud, at supersonic speed. No other aircraft of its era could do that.
How Was The F-111 Aardvark Developed?
The F-111 originated in the TFX programme, an attempt by Defense Secretary Robert McNamara to force the Air Force and Navy to share one airframe. The naval variant failed and was cancelled, but the Air Force version entered service. Its early deployment was troubled: three of the first six aircraft sent to Vietnam in 1968 were lost, and the programme took years to recover its reputation.
Has The F-111 Aardvark Seen Combat?
After a poor start over Vietnam, the F-111 performed strongly in Operation Linebacker. It struck Libya in Operation El Dorado Canyon in 1986, flying from the UK around France in a fourteen-hour round trip. In the 1991 Gulf War it destroyed more than 1,500 Iraqi armoured vehicles using laser-guided bombs in what crews called "tank plinking".
Who Operates The F-111 Aardvark?
The United States Air Force retired the type in 1998, and the Royal Australian Air Force – its only export customer – followed in 2010. Australian F-111s were famous for the dump-and-burn display, igniting fuel dumped from the tail.
F-111 Aardvark FAQs
Common questions about the F-111 Aardvark, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the F-111 Aardvark as a civilian?
No, the F-111 Aardvark is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the F-111 Aardvark?
No, you cannot take the controls of the F-111 Aardvark, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the F-111 Aardvark cost?
The F-111 Aardvark is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Are there weight limits on a jet flight instead of the F-111 Aardvark?
The F-111 Aardvark is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the F-111 Aardvark?
The F-111 Aardvark is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the F-111 Aardvark?
The F-111 Aardvark is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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