The F-111’s Long Nose Enabled The Fighters Go In Low And Fast

That Nose! That beautiful long nose!

The F-111’s long nose was integral to its design, enhancing aerodynamic stability and allowing for superior performance during low-altitude missions. This unique feature, combined with the advanced terrain-following radar, positioned the aircraft as a formidable force during its operational tenure.

The innovative swing-wing design further contributed to its versatility and effectiveness in various combat scenarios. Such advancements solidified the F-111’s reputation as a groundbreaking asset in the USAF arsenal.

A Tough Time the First Time Out

The first use of the F-111 in combat was during the Vietnam War. In March of 1968, a detachment of six F-111As was sent to Southeast Asia under the Combat Lancer program.

Three of the six aircraft were lost during just over a month in-country. It was later determined that a design fault in the horizontal stabilizer had caused the losses, which delayed the full operational use of the jet until 1971. In 1972, the F-111 returned to Southeast Asia and racked up 4,000 combat sorties with only six losses directly attributable to enemy action.

Dropping The F-111s Long Nose In the X Ring

Throughout the remainder of the Vark’s service life, it was a key player in nearly all military operations. When, in 1986, it became necessary to strike Libya, the F-111 was the only jet capable of pulling off the long-range precision strikes needed to execute the Air Force’s tasking for Operation El Dorado Canyon.

During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the F-111Fs that dropped 80% of the laser-guided bombs were developed from those A models that had first worn Air Force colors twenty years earlier. After Desert Storm, the F-111s didn’t stick around for long. Just five years later, the Air Force retired its last bomber, the Varks, and the dedicated electronic attack EF-111 Spark Varks followed a couple of years after that.

Additional stories on the F-111 from Avgeekery:

The Aardvark: The F-111 Changed The Strike Game – A comprehensive look at every F-111 variant, from the troubled F-111B Navy fighter to the Australian “Pigs” that flew until 2010.

El Dorado Canyon: President Reagan Sent the Whole Shooting Match After Gaddafi in 1986 – When the F-111 was the only aircraft capable of executing long-range precision strikes against Libya, the Aardvark delivered.

External reading on the F-111 Ardvark:

• National Museum of the USAF: F-111F Aardvark – Official fact sheet from the Air Force’s premier aviation museum.
• Interview with F-111 Weapon System Officer Jim Rotramel – First-person account of flying and fighting in the Aardvark.
• IWM Duxford: The F-111 “Flying Pig” – The Imperial War Museum’s look at their Desert Storm veteran F-111.
• The F-111 Was Faster Than You Think – Accounts of Aardvarks reportedly reaching Mach 3+ during functional check flights.