page_title: General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
section_title: Operators
hierarchical_section_title: General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark / Operators
caption_attribution_description: English: This photograph shows a modified General Dynamics AFTI/F-111A Aardvark in flight with supercritical mission adaptive wings (MAW) installed. With the phasing out of the Transonic Aircraft Technology (TACT) project came a renewed effort by the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory to extend supercritical wing technology to a higher level of performance. In the early 1980s the supercritical wing on the F-111A aircraft was replaced with a wing built by The Boeing Aircraft Company called a mission adaptive wing (MAW), and a joint NASA and Air Force project called Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) was born.
context_page_description: The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is a retired American supersonic, medium-range interdictor and tactical attack aircraft that also filled the roles of strategic nuclear bomber, aerial reconnaissance, and electronic-warfare aircraft in its various versions. The word "aardvark" is Afrikaans for "earthpig" and reflects the look of the long nose of the aircraft that might remind one of the nose of the aardvark. Developed in the 1960s by General Dynamics, it entered service in 1967 with the United States Air Force. The Royal Australian Air Force also ordered the type and began operating F-111Cs in 1973.
  The F-111 pioneered several technologies for production aircraft, including variable-sweep wings, afterburning turbofan engines, and automated terrain-following radar for low-level, high-speed flight. Its design influenced later variable-sweep wing aircraft, and some of its advanced features have since become commonplace. The F-111 suffered a variety of problems during initial development. Several of its intended roles, such as an aircraft carrier-based naval interceptor with the F-111B, failed to materialize.
context_section_description:  Australia
  Royal Australian Air Force
  No. 82 Wing – RAAF Base Amberley
  No. 1 Squadron F-111C (1973–2009)
  No. 6 Squadron F-111C (1973–2010), F-111G (1993–2007)
   United States
  United States Air Force operated F-111A/D/E/F/G, FB-111A and EF-111A. Officially retired its F-111s in 1996 and the EF-111A in 1998.
  Tactical Air Command 1968-92
  Air Combat Command 1992-98
  27th Tactical Fighter Wing – Cannon AFB
  428th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron F-111G (1990-1993), F-111E (1993-1995)
  481st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111A/E (1969–1973), F-111D (1973–1980)
  522d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111A/E (1971–1972), F-111D (1973–1992), F-111F (1992–1995)
  523d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111A/E (1971–1972), F-111D (1973–1992), F-111F (1992–1995)
  524th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111A/E (1971–1972), F-111D (1973–1992), F-111F (1992–1995)
  366th Tactical Fighter Wing – Mountain Home AFB
  389th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111F (1971–1977), F-111A (1977–1991)
  390th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111F (1971–1977), F-111A (1977–1982)
  391st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111F (1971–1977), F-111A (1977–1990)
  474th Tactical Fighter Wing – Nellis AFB
  428th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111A (1968–1977)
  429th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111A (1969–1977)
  430th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111A (1969–1977)
  442nd Tactical Fighter Training Squadron F-111A (1969–1977)
  United States Air Forces in Europe
  20th Tactical Fighter Wing – RAF Upper Heyford
  55th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E (1971–1993)
  77th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E (1971–1993)
  79th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E (1971–1993)
  48th Tactical Fighter Wing – RAF Lakenheath
  492d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111F (1977–1992)
  493rd Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111F (1977–1992)
  494th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111F (1977–1992)
  495th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111F (1977-1991)
  Strategic Air Command
  340th Bombardment Group (Medium) - Carswell AFB
  4007th Combat Crew Training Squadron FB-111 (1968-1971)
  380th Bombardment Wing (Medium) – Plattsburgh AFB
  528th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) FB-111 (1971–1995)
  529th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) FB-111 (1971–1995)
  509th Bombardment Wing (Medium) – Pease AFB
  393d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) FB-111 (1970–1990)
  715th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) FB-111 (1971–1990)
  NASA
caption: An F-111 operated by NASA
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