With its wings in the mid-sweep position and vortices rippling off the leading edge extension, an F-111C performs a re-heat fly-by at low level for the benefit of the photographer. It is armed with 12 Mk 82 500lb ‘iron’ bombs. Even at the end of their career with the USAF, F-111s regularly won bombing competitions against later aircraft.
Aardvark из 1-й эскадрильи, вооруженный ПКР Harpoon, в полете над Южным Квинслендом в начале 1990-х годов. Машина несет старый вариант окраски и обозначений. Ракета AGM-84D была мощным противокорабельным оружием.
A 1 Squadron F-111C armed with a mixed weapons load of GBU-12 Paveway LGBs and Harpoon makes a high-speed low-level pass over SE Queensland. Note the distinctive yellow '1' and unit emblem on the fin.
This view of an armed F-111 clearly shows the Pave Tack infra-red target detection and laser designation system pod in the bomb bay. The underwing weapons are Harpoon anti-ship missile (port outer pylon), GBU-12 Paveway 500lb LGB, and on the starboard side, an AIM-9 Sidewinder and a GBU-10 2,000lb (907kg) LGB on the outer pylon.
Displayed at Nellis AFB in April 1997, for the 50th anniversary of the USAF, was F-111C A8-142 armed with an AGM-142E stand-off missile. The AGM-142E is the USAF FMS derivative of the Popeye with MIL-STD-1780 interfaces and DL frequencies, which differs from the Israeli version and the early USAF Have Nap. It is expected to enter service in 2000-2001.
RF-111 A8-143 taxying at RAAF Tyndal, after flying the last 82 Wing sortie over East Timor on December 9, 1999. Operating as part of the International Force in East Timor marked the first occasion in the Australian F-111’s career that the aircraft was used operationally.
Line-up of six Pave-Tack-equipped 1 Squadron F-111Cs at Nellis AFB for Exercise Green Flag in March 1999. Green Flag is a highly-realistic electronic warfare exercise, often involving a wide range of participating aircraft and nationalities
Australian F-111s carry a larger range of ordnance than any of those that were in service with the USAF. This impressive array of weapons (and more) can be carried by the F-111C.
As can be seen here, the RF-111C’s reconnaissance pack fits neatly into the former bomb bay on a pallet, taking up the space once dedicated to the M61A1 cannon pack. It contains (from front to rear) two video cameras, an infra-red line scanner, a low altitude panoramic camera, a high altitude panoramic camera and a pair of split vertical cameras.
One of the advantages of side-by-side seating is that it promotes greater crew co-ordination compared to tandem-seating. Note the pilot's head up display, and the vertical strip airspeed indicator and altimeter either side of the attitude indicator. The hood on the starboard side of the cockpit is the weapon system operator’s display for viewing radar, Pave Tack or EOGB video.
General Dynamics F/RF-111C Aardvark
Comparison of the four F-111 variants operated by the RAAF. 1. F-111A, four ex-USAF aircraft purchased as attrition replacements, fitted with ‘long-span’ wings and updated to current F-111C standard. 2. F-111C, 24 aircraft originally delivered in 1973, example shown fitted with the Pave Tack pod. 3. RF-111C, four of original order converted for the reconnaissance role with camera pallet in the internal weapons bay. 4. F-111G, 15 aircraft, themselves updated FB-111As, purchased from ex-USAF stocks in the early 1990s.
