The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was among those elusive jets that succeeded in being ahead of its time in nearly all respects. Sleek but powerful, it combined raw speed, state-of-the-art technology, and a versatility that allowed it to perform missions other planes couldn’t approach. Born out of the heat of the Cold War, it was designed to be a “one size fits all” solution for both the U.S. Navy and Air Force—a tall order that gave everyone involved headaches during its early days, but eventually resulted in an aircraft that made a lasting impression on the history of military aviation.
The concept started in 1962 under the Tactical Fighter Experimental (TFX) program. The Pentagon desired a single aircraft that would be capable of deep strike, air superiority, and nuclear delivery. On paper, it would be cheaper and easier to logistically support. In reality, it was problematic. The Navy required a lighter, more responsive vehicle for carrier landings, whereas the Air Force desired speed with long range and heavy payloads.
Ultimately, the Navy walked away due to weight and landing issues, but the Air Force continued. The outcome was the F-111A for tactical bombing and the FB-111A for longer-range strategic nuclear bombs. General Dynamics won the contract in that same year, and in 1964, the first production version was rolling off the assembly lines.
What differentiated the F-111 was its swing-wing design. Pilots were able to sweep the wings aft more than 70 degrees for searing supersonic dashes, or out to only 16 degrees for takeoff, landing, and low-speed flight. This provided the Aardvark with incredible flexibility—able to scream down over Mach 2.2 in one instant, then descend to treetop altitude the next to slip by enemy radar. It could even operate from short runways and fly across oceans without refueling.
Innovation permeated its design. The F-111 had terrain-following radar—a computerized system that allowed it to fly a few hundred feet off the ground at high speed, both day and night, rain or shine. The sophisticated avionics package integrated navigation, targeting, and communications in a manner that few aircraft had done previously. Even its attitude toward pilot safety was unconventional: rather than having individual ejection seats, both pilots occupied a detachable escape pod that could blow off the plane and serve as a survival capsule in the water or on land.
Its twin Pratt & Whitney TF30 afterburning turbofans each generated over 25,000 pounds of thrust, providing it with fantastic performance and range—over 2,500 nautical miles on internal fuel only. Payload capacity was also impressive. The F-111 could be equipped with up to 24 conventional or nuclear armaments, including precision-guided bombs and the AGM-69 SRAM missile. Clever pivoting pylons kept bombs and fuel tanks aligned with airflow regardless of wing position.
In an age when most planes were specialists, the F-111 was a generalist. It could function as a tactical bomber, a long-range nuclear strike vehicle, a reconnaissance plane, or even an electronic warfare plane. And it performed each with an effectiveness that won the respect of allies and enemies alike.
Its combat record showed just how effective it was. In Vietnam, F-111s made deep penetration attacks against strongly defended targets, frequently at night, and were called “Whispering Death.” In 1986, F-111Fs of the U.K. made one of history’s longest fighter missions on Operation El Dorado Canyon to attack Libya after a demanding 6,400-mile round trip. During the Gulf War, they were used as the weapon of choice for dark-of-night precision attacks, knocking out more than 1,500 armored vehicles and strategic infrastructure—better even than the A-10 at killing tanks.
The electronic warfare variant, the EF-111A Raven, assumed a role totally different. Converted by Grumman, it traded bombs for robust jamming systems contained in a large underbelly radome and wingtip pods. The Electronic Warfare Officer occupied the right-hand seat and operated the jammers. During Desert Storm, Ravens played a vital role in shutting down enemy radar and shielding strike packages from surface-to-air missiles. Loss of one EF-111A in a low-level defense maneuver called for significant modifications in tactical training.
The F-111’s legacy can be found in planes that followed it. The F-14 Tomcat, Panavia Tornado, and even Soviet designs all borrowed from its swing-wing design. Its avionics and low-level strike performance set the standard for decades. The concept of having one plane perform many jobs has been adopted by jets such as the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-35 Lightning II.
In spite of its rough beginning and inter-service politics, the F-111 matured into a pillar of U.S. and Australian air power for almost four decades. Its combination of speed, range, payload, and survivability proved adaptability to be as useful as specialization. The Aardvark no longer flies combat missions, but the lessons it learned—and the technologies it brought—continue to fly high in the designs of contemporary warplanes.