Faster than you thought...

[Talyn]

The F-111 Was Faster Than You Thought​

The U.S. Air Force’s F-15EX Eagle II may be fast, but the Cold War-era F-111 Aardvark says “hold my beer.”

The F-111 Was Faster Than You Thought

The U.S. Air Force’s F-15EX Eagle II may be fast, but the Cold War-era F-111 Aardvark says “hold my beer.”

www.twz.com

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

Other than the engines and wing sweep redesign for the f14 I wonder what else came from the 111? The f14 haf an incredible range compared to the 15. 16 and 18 for a F class aircraft. The 111 probably had a 1k mile range similar to the 14 of nearly 1,500 mile range without external tanks. The 14 never should have been dropped!

 

[CAPMARINE276]

Im guessing going nuclear the F-111 wouldn’t have far to travel

 

[Jester560]

Very interesting read. Would love to have flown in a fighter jet when I was younger. Too old to enjoy it now.

 

[3L120]

F111 was originally to be a Joint Strike Fighter, but didn’t meet the Navy’s specifications. Not sure if the Vigilante was still in use then.

 

[Ascout]

F111 was originally to be a Joint Strike Fighter, but didn’t meet the Navy’s specifications. Not sure if the Vigilante was still in use then.

Well, not the whole Navy. Not everyone was prepared to speak altogether candidly where the SecDef had an interest. In a Senate hearing where Senator Stennis pointedly asked if new, uprated engines would facilitate it meeting the fighter needs of the Navy, the Deputy CNO pointedly answered "Mr. Chairman, there isn’t enough thrust in all Christendom to make a Navy fighter out of that airplane.” His career did not seem to flourish after that but he definitely put the spine into the opposition inclined to "go along". https://theaviationgeekclub.com/the...h-led-to-the-birth-of-the-iconic-f-14-tomcat/