F-111 strike aircraft
The Royal Australian Air Force F-111 is a supersonic long-range strike aircraft. It is operated by No 1 Squadron and No 6 Squadron of the Air Force's Air Combat Group from RAAF Base Amberley, near Brisbane.
Air Force operates three versions of the F-111:
- the F-111C strike fighter
- the unique RF-111C, modified for photo-reconnaissance work
-
ex-US Air Force F-111G's, which help ensure Australia maintains its
strike capability until the F-111 is retired around 2010–15.
The two squadrons have slightly different roles:
- No 1 Squadron flies strike and reconnaissance missions using F-111C's and RF-111C's
- No 6 Squadron trains aircrews on F-111C's and conducts air and sea strikes using F-111G's.
The F-111 is a twin-engine swing-wing aircraft. It can take off and
land at relatively low speeds with the wings swept forward, then fly at
more than twice the speed of sound with its wings tucked back. It can
fly close to the ground at supersonic speeds, following the terrain to
avoid detection.
It can strike day or night in any weather. Its Pave Tack targeting
system can locate targets at night and in bad weather and provides
laser designation for laser-guided weapons. The radar warning system
detects incoming radar emissions and alerts the crew to potential
surface or air attacks.
It is affectionately known as the 'Pig' for its ability to hunt at
night with its nose in the weeds, thanks to its terrain-following radar.
Highly controversial during its development, the F-111 is even
better today than when it was introduced to our Air Force in June 1973.
With numerous airframe, engine, weapons and avionics upgrades, the
F-111 remains the fastest and longest ranging combat aircraft in the
Asia-Pacific.
Air Force will obtain 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets by 2010 to ensure Australia's air combat capability edge is maintained until the full introduction into service of the F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter. The Super Hornets will replace the F-111s at Nos 1 and 6 Squadrons.
Related links
General Dynamics F-111 technical specifications
| Manufacturer |
General Dynamics |
| Role |
Long-range strike fighter |
| Crew |
Pilot and navigator, who also operates the weapons systems |
| Engine |
Two Pratt and Whitney TF-30 turbofans (9,500 kg thrust each) |
| Airframe |
Length: 23m, height: 5.3m |
| Wingspan |
21.3m extended, 10.3m swept |
| Weight |
24,000kg basic, 51,846kg fully loaded |
| Speed |
Supersonic at sea level, Mach 2.5 at altitude |
| Range |
Ferry range in excess of 5,500km |
| Ceiling |
Above 50,000 feet |
| Weapons |
- Harpoon anti-ship missiles
- Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
- Laser-guided bombs
- Conventional bombs
|
| Avionics |
- Digital flight controls
- Terrain-following radar
- Attack radar
- Pave Tack target system
- Inertial navigation and integrated weapons system
|
