The General Dynamics F111 was not just any other aircraft of the Cold War. It was born as part of the Tactical Fighter Experimental program ordered by Robert McNamara himself to create a plane that could fit roles requested by both the Navy and the Air Force.

The F111 had a troublesome beginning in the 60s. And at the heart of it was an old grudge between the military branches.

Like many of its colleagues of the epoch, the F111 had unique innovations and cons that left the two branches divided. Although the Navy despised it, the USAF loved it.

Conceived as a fighter, bomber, and interceptor, the F111 pioneered the concept of using variable-sweep wings, terrain-following radar, and afterburning turbofan engines that were unique for its time.

It successfully served during the critical years of the Vietnam War, Operation El Dorado Canyon in the 80s, and Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War.

Called the Aardvark, or earth pig, for its long nose, the last F111s were retired from the USAF in 1996 and in 2010 by the Australia Air Force after a 40-year long career that spanned various combat configurations.

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Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.

As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.

All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.

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