F111A

The F111A is a variant of the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, a supersonic, variable-sweep wing, all-weather, strategic bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The F111A was developed as a response to the Soviet Union's deployment of the Tupolev Tu-22M strategic bomber in the late 1960s. The F111A was designed to provide the United States with a long-range, high-altitude bomber capable of penetrating Soviet air defenses and delivering nuclear weapons.

The F111A features a variable-sweep wing, which allows it to fly at both supersonic and subsonic speeds. The aircraft is powered by two General Electric TF30 turbofan engines, which provide it with a maximum speed of Mach 2.2. The F111A has a maximum range of over 3,000 miles and a service ceiling of over 50,000 feet.

The F111A was first flown in 1969 and entered service with the United States Air Force in 1971. It was used in various roles, including strategic bombing, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. The F111A was also used in the Vietnam War, where it conducted bombing missions against North Vietnamese targets.

The F111A was retired from active service in the United States in 1998, but some aircraft remain in service with other countries, including Japan and Saudi Arabia. The F111A is considered one of the most successful and versatile strategic bombers of the Cold War era.