F-111 Aardvark

摘要

The F-111 Aardvark, born in controversy and initially plagued by accidents, became the best all-weather interdiction aircraft in history and also served well in a variety of other roles. It was the first variable-geometry aircraft to enter active US military service, and its wings could sweep back from 16 to 72.5 degrees. In the beginning, the aircraft was known as the TFX (Tactical Fighter Experimental). In the early 1960s, the Air Force declared a need for a new supersonic strike aircraft, and the Navy issued a similar requirement for a fleet defense interceptor. Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, ignoring advice of military leaders, ruled that the two services would have to get along with a single, common aircraft for both missions. The F-111 used large quantities of special high-strength D6AC steel.