The General Dynamics F-111 WAS Designed in the 1960's as a strategic bomber and reconnaissance aircraft to meet the June 1960 USAF specification for a long-range interdiction/strike aircraft able to penetrate Soviet air defences at low altitudes and high speeds with tactical nuclear weapons, it entered USAF service in 1967 controversy replacing the Convair B-58 Hustler and was retired in 1998 when it's remaining roles were taken over by the F-15E Strike Eagle and the B-1B Lancer. The F-111 maid it's maiden flight in December 1964 and entered service three years later, it suffered a number of development problems, a result of it's cutting edge and innovative design, it pioneered variable geometry wings and had problems with it's wings and wing pivot forgings, some of the problems were later attributed to a contractor paying off inspectors to approve sub-standard work on structural wing components requiring all aircraft already built to have expensive component replacements. General Dynamics F-111D Specifications: - Crew: Pilot and Weapons system operator
- Length: 73.5 ft (22.4 m)
- Wingspan: Spread 63 ft 0 in (19.2 m) Swept 32 ft 0 in (9.8 m) (9.75 m)
- Height: 17.13 ft (5.22 m)
- Wing area: Spread: 657.4 ft (61.07 m) Swept: 525 ft (48.77 m)
- Empty weight: 47,481 lb (21,537 kg)
- Loaded weight: 82,843 lb (37,577 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 98,979 lb (44,896 kg)
- Engines: Twin 25,100 lbf (112 kN) Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-100 afterburning turbofans
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.5 (1,650 mph, 2,655 km/h)
- Combat radius: 1,330 mi (1,160 NM, 2,140 km)
- Ferry range: 3,220 mi (2,800 NM, 5,190 km)
- Service ceiling 56,650 ft (17,270 m)
- Rate of climb: 25,890 ft/min (131.5 m/s)
Armament: - Guns: Optional single M61 Vulcan 20 mm (0.787 in) Gatling cannon.
- Bombs: 31,500 lb (14,300 kg) of mixed munitions.1
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