Bossier City in Bossier Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
General Dynamics FB-111A
USAFM 1992-284
Gary Todd via Flickr (Public Domain), July 14, 2017
1. General Dynamics FB-111A Marker
Inscription.
General Dynamics FB-111A. USAFM 1992-284. The USAF bought 76 production FB-111As to fill a gap in the strategic bomber force between the time when the Boeing B-52C and F models and Convair B-58As were being phased out in the late 1960's into the early 1970's. The Advanced Supersonic Manned Aircraft (AMSA) project which eventually resulted in the Rockwell International B-1A was still in its early phases in the mid-1960's, and production of a new bomber was more than a decade off (the prototype B-1A's first flight was in November 1974). The proposal to modify the F-111A to a strategic bomber was seen as a relatively quick and inexpensive way to give the US a supersonic bomber capability., The prototype FB-111A was converted on the assembly line from the last F-111A (S/N 63-9783). The aircraft featured a larger wing, stronger landing gear and the capability to carry up to six AGM-69A Short Range Attack Missiles (SRAM) , two in the enlarged internal bomb bay and four mounted on wing pylons. General Dynamics proposed an enlarged version of the FB-111A, designated FB-111H, which would have included a 15' fuselage extension, new and more powerful engines and increased weapons capability. However, the FB-111H never progressed past the design stage., This FB-111 was the last supersonic bomber flown by 8th Air Force, and was the last medium bomber in Strategic Air Command. This FB-111 last served with the 380th Bomb Wing, Plattsburg, NY. Upon retirement of the FB-111s, this bomber was flown to Barksdale AFB on July 10, 1991. It is marked with the insignia and colors it carried circa 1984., Specifications , Span: 70' 0” and 33' 11” swept . Length: 73' 6" . Height: 17' 1.4" . Weight: 119,243 lbs . Crew: two (2) . Armament: six AGM-69A SRAMs or up to 37,500 lbs of bombs . Cost: $8.2 million, Performance , Max speed: 1450 mph at 50,000 ft (mach 2.2) . Cruising:565 mph . Range: approx. 4,500 miles w/o refueling . Service ceiling: approx. 50,000 ft . Engine: two Pratt and Whitney TF30-P-7 turbofans of 20,350 lbs thrust ea. with afterburner
The USAF bought 76 production FB-111As to fill a gap in the strategic bomber force between the time when the Boeing B-52C & F models and Convair B-58As were being phased out in the late 1960's into the early 1970's. The Advanced Supersonic Manned Aircraft (AMSA) project which eventually resulted in the Rockwell International B-1A was still in its early phases in the mid-1960's, and production of a new bomber was more than a decade off (the prototype B-1A's first flight was in November 1974). The proposal to modify the F-111A to a strategic bomber was seen as a relatively quick and inexpensive way to give the US a supersonic bomber capability.
The prototype FB-111A was converted on the assembly line from the last F-111A (S/N 63-9783). The aircraft featured a larger wing, stronger landing gear and the capability to carry up to six AGM-69A Short Range Attack Missiles (SRAM) — two in the enlarged internal bomb bay and four mounted on wing pylons. General Dynamics proposed an enlarged version of the FB-111A, designated FB-111H, which would have included a 15' fuselage extension, new and more powerful engines and increased weapons capability. However, the FB-111H never progressed past the design stage.
This FB-111 was the last supersonic bomber flown by 8th Air Force, and was the last medium bomber in Strategic Air Command.
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This FB-111 last served with the 380th Bomb Wing, Plattsburg, NY. Upon retirement of the FB-111s, this bomber was flown to Barksdale AFB on July 10, 1991. It is marked with the insignia and colors it carried circa 1984.
Specifications
Span: 70' 0” and 33' 11” swept • Length: 73' 6" • Height: 17' 1.4" • Weight: 119,243 lbs • Crew: two (2) • Armament: six AGM-69A SRAMs or up to 37,500 lbs of bombs • Cost: $8.2 million
Performance
Max speed: 1450 mph at 50,000 ft (mach 2.2) • Cruising:565 mph • Range: approx. 4,500 miles w/o refueling • Service ceiling: approx. 50,000 ft • Engine: two Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-7 turbofans of 20,350 lbs thrust ea. with afterburner
Erected by Barksdale Global Power Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical date for this entry is July 10, 1991.
Location. 32° 30.819′ N, 93° 40.982′ W. Marker is in Bossier City, Louisiana, in Bossier Parish. Marker is on Range Road, ¼ mile north of Shreveport Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at Barksdale Global Power Museum on Barksdale Air Force Base. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 88 Shreveport Rd, Bossier City LA 71112, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Linebacker II (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed T-33A “Shooting Star”
Gary Todd via Flickr (Public Domain), July 14, 2017
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 240 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
