F111K

The F-111K was a proposed variant of the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark medium-range interdictor and tactical strike aircraft, specifically intended for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The RAF had a long-standing requirement for a new tactical strike aircraft to replace its aging fleet, and the F-111 was a strong contender due to its advanced design, variable-sweep wings, and impressive range. The F-111K designation represented a customized version of the F-111A, tailored to meet specific RAF operational needs.

Key proposed modifications for the F-111K included updated avionics, a strengthened airframe, and potentially different engine options to suit British operational environments. The aircraft was envisioned as a dual-role platform, capable of both strategic nuclear strike and conventional interdiction missions. Negotiations between the United States and the United Kingdom for the F-111K proceeded for several years during the late 1960s.

However, the F-111K program was ultimately canceled in 1967. The primary reasons cited for the cancellation were escalating costs and a perceived lack of confidence in the aircraft's performance and suitability for the RAF's requirements. The cancellation of the F-111K program led the RAF to pursue alternative aircraft, eventually selecting the Panavia Tornado for its strike aircraft needs. The F-111K never flew and remained a planned, but unfulfilled, acquisition for the Royal Air Force.