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Key Points: The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, a multirole fighter-bomber, served the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1996, showcasing exceptional performance in Vietnam, the Cold War, and Operation Desert Storm.

-Renowned for its pioneering sweep-wing design and MACH 2 speed, the F-111 excelled at low-level, radar-evading missions. It carried advanced avionics, laser-guided munitions, and nuclear capabilities.

-The Aardvark was pivotal in high-profile missions, including the 1986 Libya airstrike. With over 4,000 combat missions in Vietnam and minimal losses, it demonstrated unmatched reliability and versatility.

-A true workhorse of American airpower, the F-111 exceeded expectations, cementing its legacy in military aviation history.

Hail the F-111 Aardvark: America’s Long-Serving Combat Jet

The Aardvark is a funny-looking beast with a long snout that hoovers up food with a pig-like body and thick hide to stymie predators. Does this animal remind you of one of the most combat-effective airplanes the U.S. Air Force flew during the Vietnam War?

I’m referring to the F-111 Aardvark that played an active role in the lengthy Southeast Asian conflict, plus exemplary service during Operation Desert Storm.

F-111: Long, Distinguished Service History

The General Dynamics F-111 was a multirole fighter-bomber was extremely effective at ground strike missions. It served from 1967 until 1996 – an extraordinary run for a jet that was only supposed to fly for around two decades. There was even an electronic warfare version of the Aardvark that conducted missions until 1998.

The F-111 concept was introduced in 1960 for the Air Force. The U.S. Navy opted not to acquire it and stopped the program. The Royal Australian Air Force had F-111s in service until 2010, but they famously buried the old airplanes because the airframes contained asbestos.

F-111. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Interesting and Effective Design

The Aardvark had a sweep-wing design in which the pilot and weapons system officer sat side-by-side. It was the first fighter-bomber to feature that wing system. The sweep-wings enabled an impressive speed of MACH 2. An infrared designator that was ahead of its time provided targeting.

The F-111 could fly low below enemy radar in night and all-weather situations. The F-111F lived to fly during the First Gulf War when it conducted 2,400 sorties against Iraqi targets. General Dynamics built 566 F-111s of different variations.

Strong Engines with Stellar Range and Speed

The Aardvark utilized two Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-111s with 25,100 pounds of thrust when deploying afterburners – the first fighter-bomber to have afterburning turbofans. The range of the warbird was nearly 3,000 miles. During low-level nap of the earth flights, the F-111 had advanced avionics for the job.

F-111. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

An air-to-air left front view of an F-111 aircraft during a refueling mission over the North Sea.

F-111: Exemplary Combat Action

The F-111A had a great war record in Vietnam. It flew over 4,000 missions with only six losses. The F-111F undertook a daring operation to bomb Libya in 1986, flying all the way and back from England. It could also be nuclear-equipped, which likely drove the Soviets crazy knowing the Aardvark could easily reach the Motherland and take out plenty of targets with nuclear ordnance.

The Aardvark could land and take off from shorter runways which also helped its efficacy during Vietnam, the Cold War, and Operation Desert Storm.

Advanced FLIR Targeting

The F-111 also carried 750-pound conventional bombs. There was a 20mm cannon for self-defense. Sidewinders were also included on the munitions list. Later versions of the F-111 had the ability to drop laser-guided munitions due to the FLIR designator.

According to F111.net, a website focused on the Aardvark, “The F-111C and F-111F were equipped to carry the AN/AVQ-26 Pave Tack targeting system on a rotating carriage that kept the pod protected within the weapons bay when not in use. Pave Tack featured a forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, optical camera and laser rangefinder/designator. The Pave Tack pod allowed the F-111 to designate targets and drop laser-guided bombs on them.”

F-111. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

F-111. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Bottomline

The Aardvark was a great airplane, and pilots and ground crews should be proud if assigned to the F-111. The fighter-bomber served for nearly 30 years and numerous variants continued to improve capabilities. The jet could fly long-range and drop conventional, precision, or nuclear bombs.

It was fast and maneuverable, able to fly low to avoid enemy radar and operate in a contested environment with relatively few losses due to enemy fire. The combat record was excellent, and the service was loyal in three different eras of conflict.

It even taught Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi a lesson about American military muscle in 1986—so, hail to the Aardvark, a warbird that exceeded all expectations.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.