F-111 & EF-111 in Combat - Osprey Combat Aircraft 102

AD Skyraider Units of the Korean War - Osprey Combat Aircraft 114

The F-111, with its variable sweep wing, terrain following radar, military-rated afterburning turbofan engines and self-contained escape module, was one of the most technically innovative designs seen amongst military aircraft and played a central role in three major conflicts. Designed as a cost-saving multi-role interceptor, naval fighter and strike bomber, its evolution prioritised the latter role, and it became the US Air Force's most effective long-range strike aircraft during three decades of service. This book traces the sometimes difficult combat history of the F-111 - from its uncertain start in Vietnam in 1968, it quickly matured into America's primary tactical strike aircraft in Operation Linebacker in 1972-73. Post-war, units equipped with the jet honed that role in Tactical Air Command service as the backbone of NATO's nuclear deterrent, where its potency was a key factor in ending the Cold War. F-111s based in England flew the longest fighter combat mission in history against the Libyan capital Tripoli in 1986, and in 1991 F-111 E/Fs and EF-111 As were key Coalition warplanes in the successful Desert Storm campaign. Book jacket.

The General Dynamics F-111 was one of the most technically innovative designs among military aircraft, introducing the variable-sweep wing, terrain-following radar, military-rated afterburning turbofan engines and a self-contained escape module among other features. Designed as a cost-saving, multi-role interceptor, naval fighter and strike bomber, its evolution prioritised the latter role and it became the USAF's most effective long-range strike aircraft during three decades of service. Rushed into combat in Vietnam before some of its structural issues were fully understood, the type suffered several early losses and gained an unfairly negative reputation that dogged it for the rest of its career, and restricted funding for more advanced versions of the design. However, in Operation "Linebacker" in 1972 the F-111 flew 4000 nocturnal under-the-radar missions, delivering, with unprecedented accuracy, many decisive blows that would have resulted in heavy losses for any other attack aircraft. Post-war, F-111E/F variants were concentrated in two USAFE wings in the UK, and one of these was chosen in April 1986 to deliver a punitive strike on Libya in response to a series of terrorist attacks on US targets in Beirut and Europe. The 48th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) flew a 14-hour mission direct from its Lakenheath base, hitting several military targets around Tripoli. Five years later both UK-based wings, including their sophisticated EF-111A defence suppression aircraft, led the attack on the first night of Operation "Desert Storm," decimating Iraq's huge military capability. For the rest of the campaign the F-111s were crucial in destroying bridges, airfields and deep-seated command bunkers with pinpoint accuracy using laser-guided munitions.

This volume looks at the F-111, one of the most important but often under-rated modern combat aircraft. It made vital contributions in three conflicts and introduced many tactics and technologies that are still in front line use.