Eglin AFB in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
F-111 Aardvark
Ordered in 1960, the F-111 originally a joint program to develop a deep-strike fighter-bomber for the AF and a long range interceptor for the Navy. The F-111 introduced many innovations, it was the first aircraft to have terrain following radar for automatic low level flying down to 200 feet. The first to use swivel wing design for low and high speed regimes of flight. The F-111 had an extended range capability unmatched by other fighters at the time.
With the introduction of the F-111F its upgraded avionics and terrain-following radar, more powerful engines, and armed with laser-guided bombs that the F-111 emerged as a superb long-range strike aircraft. It was these aircraft that flew air strikes against Libya in 1986, Iraq (Desert Storm) in 1991 and the EF-111 aircraft in Iraq (Desert Storm) in 1991 and Bosnia in 1995. About 540 F-111s were built in various models with the Australian Air Force still flying their F-111C models today.
This F-111E model aircraft, S/N 68-0058, was one of 96 F-111E strike models built. This aircraft was last flown by the 40th Flight Test Squadron stationed at Eglin AFB, FL.
Specifications
Manufacturer General Dynamics Corporation
Thrust Two Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-3 Turbofan engines rated at 18,500 lbs of thrust w/afterburner each
Length 73 ft 6 in
Height 17 ft 6 in
Wingspan 63 ft Extended / 32 ft Swept
Weight 46,172 lbs Empty / 98,850 lbs Max
Speed 1,452 mph Max / 685 mph Cruise
Range 3,632 Miles w/tanks
Ceiling 57,000 ft
Armament One — 20mm cannon and 5,000 lbs of bombs internal, Six — pylons can carry up to 25,000 lbs of bombs or Two — nuclear weapons internal and Four — nuclear weapons external
This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Military.
Location. 30° 28.029′ N, 86° 33.679′ W. Marker is in Eglin AFB, Florida, in Okaloosa County. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of Pinchot Road (State Road 189) and Museum Drive, on the right when traveling south. Located at the Air Force Armament Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Museum Drive, Eglin AFB FL 32542, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. F-15 Eagle (within shouting distance of this marker); AC-47 Spooky (within shouting distance of this marker); F-16 Fighting Falcon (within shouting distance of this marker); RF4-Phantom II (within shouting distance of this marker); AC-130 Spectre (within shouting distance of this marker); “First Lady” (within shouting distance of this marker); A-10 Thunderbolt II (within shouting distance of this marker); “Faithful Partner - Guardian of the Night” (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eglin AFB.
Also see . . .
1. Air Force Armament Museum. (Submitted on April 11, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark on Wikipedia. (Submitted on April 11, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 323 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 11, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.