Are there any f111s still flying?
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The operational career of the F-111 came to an end on Dec. 3, 2010 at RAAF Amberley, near Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, as a crew in an F-111C (serial number A8-125) of the Royal Australian Air Force touched down for the aircraft’s last landing. The RAAF had operated the F-111 since 1973.
What replaced the F-111?
F-15E Strike Eagle
The F-111 was replaced in USAF service by the F-15E Strike Eagle for medium-range precision strike missions, while the supersonic bomber role has been assumed by the B-1B Lancer.
Does Australia still use the F-111?
The RAAF retired its remaining F-111Cs in December 2010. In Australian military and aviation circles, the F-111 Aardvark was affectionately known as the “Pig”, due to its long snout and terrain-following ability….General Dynamics F-111C.
| F-111C | |
|---|---|
| Introduction | 1973 |
| Retired | December 2010 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | Royal Australian Air Force |
Why did Australia buy the F-111?
The Australian government ordered 24 F-111C aircraft to replace the RAAF’s Canberras in the bombing and tactical strike role.
Are there any f14 still flying?
No one, outside of the Iranian air force operates them. The Persian Cats that have not been worn down to flying scrap metal are the only “airworthy” F-14s in existence.
How high can a F-111 fly without refueling?
At low altitudes, the F-111 could fly supersonic speeds hugging the ground with its terrain-following radar. The F-111 could also fly transoceanic distances without refueling. The F-111 set a record for the longest low-level supersonic flight (172 miles at less than 1,000 feet altitude) on 9 November 1966.
What is an F-111?
The F-111 was an all-weather attack aircraft, capable of low-level penetration of enemy defenses to deliver ordnance on the target. The F-111 featured variable-geometry wings, an internal weapons bay and a cockpit with side-by-side seating.
What is the wing angle of the F-111 bomber?
The F-111 has variable-sweep wings that allow the pilot to fly from slow approach speeds to supersonic velocity at sea level and more than twice the speed of sound at higher altitudes. Wings angle from 16 degrees (full forward) to 72.5 degrees (full aft).
Why did the F-111 have such a good radar?
The radar was the best in the fighter world at the time. An F-111 WSO would use the great real beam map from the radar to update the INS and navigate, but also clear the terrain ahead of the jet. If an aircraft is below a mountain peak the shadow behind the peak diverges; if an airplane is above a peak the shadow converges.