FB-111A

Strategic Air Command did not participate in the original TAC-US Navy TFX project that spawned the F-111 Aardvark, but was interested in procuring a strategic version to replace the B-58 Hustler as well as outdated B-52C/D/E/F versions.  After looking at more advanced derivatives, an order for 263 FB-111As was announced in December 1966. Well before the FB-111A was even near service, the planned procurement was radically slashed to just 76 aircraft, reflecting a general downsizing of SAC's bomber force.

FB-111 refueling from KC-135
The prototype FB-111A prepares to take on fuel from a KC-135 tanker. A full complement of external fuel tanks is carried; although the FB-111A could carry AGM-69s externally as well as in the weapons bay, external stores were usually restricted to fuel. (USAF Photo)


The first FB-111A took to the air on 30 July 1967, but this was actually F-111A 63-9783 (the eighteenth aircraft off the GD line) with the early TF30-P1 engines. production models had the 20,350lb thrust P-7 powerplants, Triple-Plow II inlets, and the APQ-134 terrain-following radar. With a "normal" maximum takeoff weight of over 114,000lbs, the FB-111A would be the heaviest member of the Aardvark family, and thus needed a strengthened airframe and landing gear. The longer wings of the naval F-111B and RAAF F-111C were used. Provisions for an additional pair of wing pylons were added, but these were rarely if ever used.

FB-111 with SRAM missiles
A camouflaged FB-111A with external SRAMs. (USAF Photo)

The 340th Bomb Group at Carswell AFB received the first production FB-111A in September 1969. The 340th engaged in crew training tasks, but it was intended to base the medium-range FB-111As in the northeast, closer to the USSR. Thus, in December 1971 the 340th was deactivated, after handing over the entire operational FB-111 force (the last aircraft had been delivered in June) to the 380th BMW at Plattsburgh AFB and the 509th BW at Pease AFB.

As originally planned, the FB-111s were to have had an extended service life with the USAF, although they would have transferred to TAC as F-111Gs. The general rundown in military forces cut short this program after the first F-111G conversions had been made. The last FBs were retired by SAC in mid-1991 and afterwards a few F-111Gs served with TAC's (later ACC's) 27th Fighter Wing at Canon AFB, New Mexico. Within a couple of years these too were retired, but it was announced that some former FBs would be given another reprieve, in the form of being transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force to serve alongside RAAF F-111Cs.

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FB-111 bibliography and suggested reading:

"Bomber Slash Follows B-111 Fund Rebuff"   Aviation Week & Space Technology  December 13, 1965  p.26-27

George C. Wilson   "AMSA Goal Limits F-111 Bomber Design"   Aviation Week & Space Technology  December 20, 1965  p.21-22  1 illustration

[Photo:  "Production FB-111A Flies for First Time"]   Aviation Week & Space Technology  July 22, 1968  p.23 

[Photo: "FB-111A Prototype Carries SAC Mission Load"]   Aviation Week & Space Technology  September 16, 1968  p.38 

"FB-111As Attain High Scores in Competition"   Aviation Week & Space Technology  December 7, 1970  p.48  2 photos 

[Photo:  "FB-111A Bomber on Strategic Alert"]   Aviation Week & Space Technology  September 17, 1973  p.19

"Air Force Improving FB-111 Countermeasures"   Aviation Week & Space Technology  November 5, 1973  p.16

Clarence A. Robinson, Jr.  "FB-111 Tests of SRAM Advance"   Aviation Week & Space Technology  November 19, 1973  p.40-47  2 photos  1 illustration