General Dynamics F-111

The USAF bought 76 production FB-111As to fill a gap in the strategic bomber force between the time when the Boeing B-52C and F models and the Convair B-58As were being phased out in the late 1960s into the early 1970s.

The Advanced Supersonic Manned Aircraft project, which eventually resulted in the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], was still in its early phases in the mid-1960s, and production of a new bomber was more than a decade off (the prototype B-1A's first flight was in November 1974).

The proposal to modify the F-111A to a strategic bomber was seen as a relatively quick and inexpensive way to give the
United States supersonic bomber capability.

The prototype FB-111A was converted on the assembly line from the last F-111A (S/N 63-9783).

The aircraft featured a larger wing, stronger landing gear and the capability to carry up to six AGM-69A Short Range
Attack Missiles -- two in the enlarged internal bomb bay and four mounted on wing pylons.

General Dynamics proposed an enlarged version of the FB-111A, designated FB-111H, which would have included a 15-foot fuselage extension, new and more powerful engines and increased weapons capability.

The FB-111H never progressed past the design stage, however.

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: Six AGM-69A SRAMs or up to 37,500 lbs. of conventional or nuclear weapons (B43, B61 or B77)
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-7 turbofans of 20,350 lbs. thrust each with afterburner
Maximum speed: 1450 mph at 50,000 ft (Mach 2.2)
Cruising speed: 565 mph
Range: Approx. 4,500 miles without refueling
Service ceiling: Approx. 50,000 ft.
Span: 70 ft. (16-degree sweep) and 33 ft. 11 in. (72.5-degree sweep)
Length: 73 ft. 6 in.
Height: 17 ft. 1.4 in.
Weight: 119,243 lbs. maximum takeoff weight (overload); 114,300 lbs. normal maximum takeoff weight
Crew: Two (pilot and weapon systems officer)
Serial numbers: FB-111A (prototype) 63-9783 (originally
F-111A); FB-111A (production) 67-159 to 67-163; 67-7192 to 67-7196;
68-239 to 68-292; 69-6503 to 69-6514

Serials of the FB-111A:


67-0159/0163
67-7192/7196
68-0239/0202
69-6503/6514