Difference between revisions of "F-111A"

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{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
−
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
+
The General-Dynamics F-111A ''Aardvark'' is a superbly fast aircraft, however, it suffers from being powered by a pair of TF30s and weighing more than any other jet in the game, giving it the acceleration of a tortoise in winter. This is a plane that functions almost purely off its aerodynamics, which allows it to have one of the highest top speeds in the game at sea level and altitude (Mach 1.3 and 2.5 respectively). The F-111A is a fighter-bomber, and a large one, which means any air-to-air combat should leave dogfighting as a last resort. In the air-to-air role, it flies like an F-104 but even faster, however, you also have to deal with extremely poor energy retention due to the aircraft's large surface area. The Aardvark performs fairly well in rate fights against other large aircraft like the [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4]] and [[Su-17/22 (Family)|Su-17/22]], and the [[F-104 (Family)|F-104]] of course. In the air-to-ground role, the aircraft's performance varies widely. Using the inner-most pylons can result in a blockage of the wing sweep to 75%, however, they can swing back once the ordnance is dropped. Using the 2 outer pylons on each wing or gunpods renders the wings immobile and this significantly lowers top speed.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
 
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
−
! colspan="2" | Max speed<br>(km/h at _,___ m)
+
! colspan="2" | Max speed<br>(km/h at 12,000 m)
 
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
Line 29: Line 29:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Stock
 
! Stock
−
| ___ || ___ || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | ___
+
| 2,429 || 2,390 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 33.3 || 33.6 || 103.2 || 96.5 || rowspan="2" | 1,200
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Upgraded
 
! Upgraded
−
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
+
| 2,472 || 2,590 || 32.7 || 33.0 || 148.6 || 125.0
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 43: Line 43:
 
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
 
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
 
|-
 
|-
−
| _ || _ || _ || _ || _ || _     <!-- ✓ -->
+
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X     <!-- ✓ -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
+
{| class="wikitable" width="60%" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="7" | Limits
+
! rowspan="2" |Limits
 +
! rowspan="2" |Wings (km/h)
 +
! rowspan="2" |Gear (km/h)
 +
! colspan="3" |Flaps (km/h)
 +
! colspan="2" |Max Static G
 
|-
 
|-
−
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
+
!Combat!!Take-off!!Landing!!+!!-
−
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
 
−
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 
−
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
+
!Min sweep
−
|-
+
|1,000|| rowspan="2" |~620|| rowspan="2" |800|| rowspan="2" |588|| rowspan="2" |555||~9||~-4
−
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
 
 
|-
 
|-
 +
!Max sweep
 +
|1600||~11||~-5
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
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|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Engine
 
! colspan="3" | Engine
−
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
+
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
 
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
−
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
+
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
 
|-
 
|-
−
| colspan="2" | _____ || _
+
| colspan="2" | Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-3 || 2
−
| colspan="2" | _,___ kg || colspan="2" | ___ kg/m<sup>2</sup>
+
| colspan="2" | 21,147 kg || colspan="3" | ___ kg/m<sup>2</sup>
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
 
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
−
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross<br>Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
+
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross<br>Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
 
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
−
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel
+
! 43m fuel || 45m fuel || 60m fuel || 143m fuel
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ___ kg || colspan="2" | ___
+
| 1,882 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning low-bypass turbofan
−
| _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg
+
| 25,595 kg || 25,795 kg || 27,343 kg || 35,962 kg || 51,425 kg
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
 
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
−
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
+
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Condition || 100% || ___%/WEP
+
! Condition || 100% || WEP
−
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel || MGW
+
! 43m fuel || 45m fuel || 60m fuel || 143m fuel || MGW
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Stationary'' || ___ kgf || ___ kgf
+
| ''Stationary'' || 4,790 kgf || 8,350 kgf
−
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
+
| 0.65 || 0.65 || 0.61 || 0.46 || 0.32
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Optimal'' || ___ kgf<br>(_ km/h) || ___ kgf<br>(_ km/h)
+
| ''Optimal'' || 5,335 kgf<br>(1,600 km/h) || 12,044 kgf<br>(1,400 km/h)
−
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
+
| 0.94 || 0.94 || 0.88 || 0.67 || 0.47
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
−
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''
+
The greatest advantage for the F-111 Aardvark in terms of survivability is its raw speed. Although its acceleration is mediocre with any sort of payload, it has an extremely high top speed when moving in a straight line, and can outrun many aircraft without needing to ditch its bombs to do so as long as it was already moving fast.
 +
 
 +
The greatest disadvantage in terms of survivability for the F-111 is the sheer size of the aircraft and the fact that fuel and the engines takes up an extremely large portion of the internal aircraft volume. This means that any enemy fighters within gun range will not have a very hard time hitting something critical and starting a fire.
  
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
Line 117: Line 120:
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
 +
|-
 +
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! Lead indicator
 +
|-
 +
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
 +
|-
 +
|}
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
Line 128: Line 140:
 
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 
<!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
−
''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! !! width="4%" |1*!! width="4%" |2*!! width="4%" | 3 !! width="4%" | 4 !! width="4%" | 5 !! width="4%" | 6 !! width="4%" | 7 !! width="4%" | 8 !! width="4%" | 9 !! width="4%" | 10 !! width="4%" |11*!! width="4%" |12*
 +
| rowspan="15" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
 +
|-
 +
! [[M61A1 (20 mm)|20 mm M61A1]] cannons (1,200 rpg)
 +
| || || || 1 || 1 || || || 1 || 1 || || ||
 +
|-
 +
! [[M61A1 (20 mm)|20 mm M61A1]] cannons (2,000 rpg)
 +
| || || || || || 1 || || || || || ||
 +
|-
 +
! [[LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|500 lb LDGP Mk 82]] bombs
 +
| 3, 6 || 3, 6 || || 3, 6 || 3, 6 || 1 || 1 || 3, 6 || 3, 6 || || 3, 6 || 3, 6
 +
|-
 +
! [[Mk 82 Snakeye (500 lb)|500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye]] bombs
 +
| 3, 6 || 3, 6 || || 3, 6 || 3, 6 || || || 3, 6 || 3, 6 || || 3, 6 || 3, 6
 +
|-
 +
! [[M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|750 lb M117 cone 45]] bombs
 +
| 3 || 3 || || 3, 6 || 3, 6 || 1 || 1 || 3, 6 || 3, 6 || || 3 || 3
 +
|-
 +
! [[LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)|2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84]] bombs
 +
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1 || || || 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
 +
|-
 +
! [[M118 (3,000 lb)|3,000 lb M118]] bombs
 +
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1 || || || 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
 +
|-
 +
! [[BLU-1 incendiary]] bombs
 +
| 2 || 2 || || 2 || 2 || || || 2 || 2 || || 2 || 2
 +
|-
 +
! [[FFAR Mighty Mouse]] rockets
 +
| 57 || 57 || || 57 || 57 || || || 57 || 57 || || 57 || 57
 +
|-
 +
! [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP]] rockets
 +
| 12 || 12 || || 12 || 12 || || || 12 || 12 || || 12 || 12
 +
|-
 +
! [[AGM-12B Bullpup]] missiles
 +
| || || || 1 || 1 || || || 1 || 1 || || ||
 +
|-
 +
! [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles
 +
| || || 1 || 1 || 1 || 2 || || 1 || 1 || 1 || ||
 +
|-
 +
! 600 gal drop tanks
 +
| || || || 1 || || || || || 1 || || ||
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="13" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 4,100 kg
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="14" | * Any load on hardpoints 1, 2, 11, or 12 prevents wing sweep
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 +
 
 +
* 1 x 20 mm M61A1 cannon (2,000 rpg)
 +
* 1 x 20 mm M61A1 cannon + 2 x 600 gal drop tanks
 +
* 4 x 20 mm M61A1 cannons (1,200 rpg = 4,800 total)
 +
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
 +
* 8 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
 +
* 228 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
 +
* 456 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
 +
* 48 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
 +
* 96 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
 +
* 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
 +
* 12 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (6,000 lb total)
 +
* 24 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (12,000 lb total)
 +
* 26 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (13,000 lb total)
 +
* 50 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (25,000 lb total)
 +
* 24 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (12,000 lb total)
 +
* 48 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (24,000 lb total)
 +
* 26 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (19,500 lb total)
 +
* 38 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (28,500 lb total)
 +
* 8 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (16,000 lb total)
 +
* 8 x 3,000 lb M118 bombs (24,000 lb total)
 +
* 16 x BLU-1 incendiary bombs
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
Line 139: Line 228:
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
−
* Insanely fast, it will outrun everything
+
* Extremely heavy payload capacity (currently, the heaviest payload capacity in-game)
−
* Tons of payload mean there is no shortage in ground-pounding firepower
+
* CCIP and CCRP bomb computer, CCIP rocket and cannon computer, radar has lead-computing cannon FCS
−
* Powerful Vulcan with 2,000 rounds  
+
* Powerful Vulcan with 2,000 rounds
 +
* MAW (Missile Approach Warning) can detect missiles approaching from the rear, and, optionally drop countermeasures if countermeasure slaving is enabled
 +
* Surprisingly agile and manoeuvrable at low speeds with wings at 0% swing and combat flaps
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
* Fuel consumption is insanely high
+
* Very large and heavy
−
* AIM-9Bs are practicably useless
+
* Alarmingly high fuel consumption
 +
* Mediocre acceleration
 +
* Suffers from a long takeoff roll, especially with maximum payload
 +
* Cannot sweep wings at all when outer two pylon stations are mounted (even after payload is jettisoned!), severely limiting maximum speed.
 +
* Wings will not move to maximum sweep if bombs are present on the innermost pylons until bombs are dropped, limiting maximum speed and acceleration
 +
* Radar does not have IFF
 +
* If countermeasures are slaved to MAW, they can quickly run out due to only having 52 countermeasures
 +
* AIM-9Bs are practically useless
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
−
=== Devblog History ===
+
=== [[wt:en/news/8545-development-f-111a-aardvark-the-ultimate-bomber-en|Devblog]] ===
 
The prototype of a new American bomber was born from the conditions of a complex and constantly changing technical specification. The first flight of the F-111A prototype took place at the end of 1964 with serial production being established only 3 years later. While the initial priority for avionics development was the use of nuclear weapons, the Vietnam War dramatically changed the Aardvark's purpose towards a low-altitude bombing aircraft that could fly deep into enemy territory beyond the reach of anti-aircraft weaponry. The F-111 was in service with the U.S. Air Force until 1996 and was widely used in various military operations.
 
The prototype of a new American bomber was born from the conditions of a complex and constantly changing technical specification. The first flight of the F-111A prototype took place at the end of 1964 with serial production being established only 3 years later. While the initial priority for avionics development was the use of nuclear weapons, the Vietnam War dramatically changed the Aardvark's purpose towards a low-altitude bombing aircraft that could fly deep into enemy territory beyond the reach of anti-aircraft weaponry. The F-111 was in service with the U.S. Air Force until 1996 and was widely used in various military operations.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
−
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f_111a Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|m04wG7J7oq8|'''The Shooting Range #378''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:24 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
Line 161: Line 265:
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
+
;Other jet planes with variable sweep wings
  
−
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
+
* [[MiG-23 (Family)]]
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* [[Su-17/22 (Family)]]
 +
* [[Tornado (Family)]]
 +
* [[F-14 (Family)]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==

Revision as of 17:48, 6 April 2024

Rank VII | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
F-111A
f_111a.png
GarageImage F-111A.jpg
F-111A
USA flag.png USA
VII Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
11.3 10.7 10.7
Class:
Research:300 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:830 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

Following the exposition of the shortcomings of the current fighter aircraft of the United States in the 1960s, particularly shown during the Vietnam War, the U.S. Department of Defense set out to procure a versatile, long-range strike aircraft to meet the demands of the Cold War for both the US Navy and Air Force. The F-111 project was born as a joint effort between the Air Force and Navy, aiming to create a multi-role aircraft capable of performing both strategic and tactical missions in USAF doctrine and for Navy "fleet defence and strike" doctrine, resulting in the F-111 development program being one of the most comical rollercoaster rides in the world of military aviation. After many shortcomings, failures, and cancellations of certain aspects of the program, primarily the F-111K (UK export variant) and F-111B (US Navy fleet defence fighter) being cancelled, the development shifted to solely focus on the USAF frontline-bomber variant. Though the F-111 program faced numerous challenges and controversies, it eventually evolved into an impressive aircraft known for its adaptability and innovative technology. The initial chapter in this story, the F-111A, was just the tip of the spear, and the advent of a long and notable history of the "Aardvark" family.

The F-111A Aardvark is a heavy frontline bomber and low-altitude interdictor, introduced in Update "Kings of Battle". Building upon the doctrine and playstyle of previous aircraft in the bomber line, primarily the previous F-105D, the F-111A borrows many of its mission profiles, and as such has a similar set of advantages and disadvantages against its adversaries. The F-111 is characterized by being the extreme of most ends in-game, being the fastest aircraft in-game at the time of its introduction, at a Battle Rating where nothing can even dream of catching you at your max speed. However, reaching that max speed is another story, as the Pratt & Whitney TF-30 engines, familiar to pilots of the F-14A Early, have abysmal acceleration, which when coupled with the high-drag airframe, means that the F-111A bleeds energy dangerously quickly in any manoeuvre. However, do not let these donwnsides deter you from the venerable 'Vark, as in the hands of a more experienced player, it can be a very dangerous fighter at its battle rating, utilizing its good top speed and great manoeuvrability at low speed to win almost all engagements it finds itself in. If all else fails, the F-111 can resort to bombing bases thanks to its highly respectable ordnance load, capable of leveling up to seven bases in Air Realistic Battles when fully loaded with bombs. In ground battles, the F-111 can function as a precision interdictor thanks to its small selection of precision weapons and bomb computer, or more likely, as an area-level frontline strike aircraft, thanks to its capability to carpet bomb with up to fifty bombs, or hammer a smaller area with its 456x FFAR rockets.

Players must take caution when taking any ordnance on the outermost four pylons, as this configuration locks the wings in forward sweep and turns the F-111 into a subsonic bomb truck.

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear
Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier
Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Max speed
at 12 192 m2 448 km/h
Turn time33 s
Max altitude12 192 m
Engine2 х Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-3
TypeJet
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight45 t

The General-Dynamics F-111A Aardvark is a superbly fast aircraft, however, it suffers from being powered by a pair of TF30s and weighing more than any other jet in the game, giving it the acceleration of a tortoise in winter. This is a plane that functions almost purely off its aerodynamics, which allows it to have one of the highest top speeds in the game at sea level and altitude (Mach 1.3 and 2.5 respectively). The F-111A is a fighter-bomber, and a large one, which means any air-to-air combat should leave dogfighting as a last resort. In the air-to-air role, it flies like an F-104 but even faster, however, you also have to deal with extremely poor energy retention due to the aircraft's large surface area. The Aardvark performs fairly well in rate fights against other large aircraft like the F-4 and Su-17/22, and the F-104 of course. In the air-to-ground role, the aircraft's performance varies widely. Using the inner-most pylons can result in a blockage of the wing sweep to 75%, however, they can swing back once the ordnance is dropped. Using the 2 outer pylons on each wing or gunpods renders the wings immobile and this significantly lowers top speed.

Characteristics Max speed
(km/h at 12,000 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 2,429 2,390 12192 33.3 33.6 103.2 96.5 1,200
Upgraded 2,472 2,590 32.7 33.0 148.6 125.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Drogue chute
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X
Limits Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
Min sweep 1,000 ~620 800 588 555 ~9 ~-4
Max sweep 1600 ~11 ~-5
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< ___ < ___ < ___ -

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Basic mass Wing loading (full fuel)
Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-3 2 21,147 kg ___ kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load) Max Gross
Weight
Weight (each) Type 43m fuel 45m fuel 60m fuel 143m fuel
1,882 kg Afterburning low-bypass turbofan 25,595 kg 25,795 kg 27,343 kg 35,962 kg 51,425 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition 100% WEP 43m fuel 45m fuel 60m fuel 143m fuel MGW
Stationary 4,790 kgf 8,350 kgf 0.65 0.65 0.61 0.46 0.32
Optimal 5,335 kgf
(1,600 km/h) 		12,044 kgf
(1,400 km/h) 		0.94 0.94 0.88 0.67 0.47

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff
Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar
Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear611 km/h

The greatest advantage for the F-111 Aardvark in terms of survivability is its raw speed. Although its acceleration is mediocre with any sort of payload, it has an extremely high top speed when moving in a straight line, and can outrun many aircraft without needing to ditch its bombs to do so as long as it was already moving fast.

The greatest disadvantage in terms of survivability for the F-111 is the sheer size of the aircraft and the fact that fuel and the engines takes up an extremely large portion of the internal aircraft volume. This means that any enemy fighters within gun range will not have a very hard time hitting something critical and starting a fire.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 185 → 4 799 Sl icon.png
RB8 404 → 12 664 Sl icon.png
SB9 624 → 14 503 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications262 200 Rp icon.png
404 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 900 Ge icon.png
Crew training240 000 Sl icon.png
Experts830 000 Sl icon.png
Aces3 000 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 140 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
80 / 320 / 600 % Sl icon.png
238 / 238 / 238 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods booster.png
New boosters
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
26 000 Sl icon.png
670 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods heli false thermal targets.png
Flares/Chaff
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods napalm fire bomb.png
BLU-1
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Mk82
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon block rocket.png
LAU-3/A
Research:
8 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
M60_belt_pack
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
M117
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon block rocket large.png
LAU-10/A
Research:
9 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods weapon.png
M60_new_gun
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Mk84
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods air to air missile.png
AIM-9B
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
26 000 Sl icon.png
670 Ge icon.png
Mods gunpods.png
Gun pod SUU-16/A.
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
26 000 Sl icon.png
670 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Mk118
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
26 000 Sl icon.png
670 Ge icon.png
Mods agm missile.png
AGM-12B Bullpup
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
26 000 Sl icon.png
670 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns) CCIP (Rockets) CCIP (Bombs) CCRP (Bombs) Lead indicator
Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png

Offensive armament

The F-111A is armed with:

  • 52 x large calibre countermeasures

Suspended armament

The F-111A can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

1* 2* 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11* 12*
Hardpoints F-111A.png
20 mm M61A1 cannons (1,200 rpg) 1 1 1 1
20 mm M61A1 cannons (2,000 rpg) 1
500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs 3, 6 3, 6 3, 6 3, 6 1 1 3, 6 3, 6 3, 6 3, 6
500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs 3, 6 3, 6 3, 6 3, 6 3, 6 3, 6 3, 6 3, 6
750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs 3 3 3, 6 3, 6 1 1 3, 6 3, 6 3 3
2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
3,000 lb M118 bombs 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
BLU-1 incendiary bombs 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57
Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
AGM-12B Bullpup missiles 1 1 1 1
AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles 1 1 1 2 1 1 1
600 gal drop tanks 1 1
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 4,100 kg
* Any load on hardpoints 1, 2, 11, or 12 prevents wing sweep
Default weapon presets
  • 1 x 20 mm M61A1 cannon (2,000 rpg)
  • 1 x 20 mm M61A1 cannon + 2 x 600 gal drop tanks
  • 4 x 20 mm M61A1 cannons (1,200 rpg = 4,800 total)
  • 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
  • 8 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
  • 228 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
  • 456 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
  • 48 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
  • 96 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
  • 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
  • 12 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (6,000 lb total)
  • 24 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (12,000 lb total)
  • 26 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (13,000 lb total)
  • 50 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (25,000 lb total)
  • 24 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (12,000 lb total)
  • 48 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (24,000 lb total)
  • 26 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (19,500 lb total)
  • 38 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (28,500 lb total)
  • 8 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (16,000 lb total)
  • 8 x 3,000 lb M118 bombs (24,000 lb total)
  • 16 x BLU-1 incendiary bombs

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Extremely heavy payload capacity (currently, the heaviest payload capacity in-game)
  • CCIP and CCRP bomb computer, CCIP rocket and cannon computer, radar has lead-computing cannon FCS
  • Powerful Vulcan with 2,000 rounds
  • MAW (Missile Approach Warning) can detect missiles approaching from the rear, and, optionally drop countermeasures if countermeasure slaving is enabled
  • Surprisingly agile and manoeuvrable at low speeds with wings at 0% swing and combat flaps

Cons:

  • Very large and heavy
  • Alarmingly high fuel consumption
  • Mediocre acceleration
  • Suffers from a long takeoff roll, especially with maximum payload
  • Cannot sweep wings at all when outer two pylon stations are mounted (even after payload is jettisoned!), severely limiting maximum speed.
  • Wings will not move to maximum sweep if bombs are present on the innermost pylons until bombs are dropped, limiting maximum speed and acceleration
  • Radar does not have IFF
  • If countermeasures are slaved to MAW, they can quickly run out due to only having 52 countermeasures
  • AIM-9Bs are practically useless

History

Devblog

The prototype of a new American bomber was born from the conditions of a complex and constantly changing technical specification. The first flight of the F-111A prototype took place at the end of 1964 with serial production being established only 3 years later. While the initial priority for avionics development was the use of nuclear weapons, the Vietnam War dramatically changed the Aardvark's purpose towards a low-altitude bombing aircraft that could fly deep into enemy territory beyond the reach of anti-aircraft weaponry. The F-111 was in service with the U.S. Air Force until 1996 and was widely used in various military operations.

Media

Skins
Videos
The Shooting Range #378 - Metal Beasts section at 00:24 discusses the F-111A.

See also

Other jet planes with variable sweep wings

External links


General Dynamics Corporation
Jet Fighters  F-16A · F-16A ADF · F-16C
Strike Aircraft  F-111A · F-111F
Export  ▄F-16A ADF · ▄F-16A · ▄F-16AM · ␗F-16A MLU · F-16AJ · Netz · F-16D Barak II · F-16C Barak II
  F-111C
See also  SABCA

USA jet aircraft
  Fighters
F-4  F-4C Phantom II · F-4E Phantom II · F-4J Phantom II · F-4S Phantom II
F-5  F-5A · F-5C · F-5E · F-20A
F-8  F8U-2 · F-8E
F-80  F-80A-5 · F-80C-10
F-84  F-84B-26 · F-84F · F-84G-21-RE
F-86  F-86A-5 · F-86F-25 · F-86F-2 · F-86F-35
F-89  F-89B · F-89D
F-100  F-100D
F-104  F-104A · F-104C
F-14  F-14A Early · F-14B
F-15  F-15A · F-15C MSIP II
F-16  F-16A · F-16A ADF · F-16C
F9F  F9F-2 · F9F-5 · F9F-8
Other  P-59A · F2H-2 · F3D-1 · F3H-2 · F4D-1 · F11F-1
  Strike Aircraft
FJ-4  FJ-4B · FJ-4B VMF-232
A-4  A-4B · A-4E Early
A-6  A-6E TRAM
A-7  A-7D · A-7E · A-7K
AV-8  AV-8A · AV-8C · AV-8B Plus · AV-8B (NA)
A-10  A-10A · A-10A Late · A-10C
B-57  B-57A · B-57B
F-105  F-105D
F-111  F-111A · F-111F

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