Air & Space Museum

General Dynamics FB-111A Aardvark

General Dynamics FB-111A Aardvark

The F-111 is probably one of the most controversial aircraft in US Military history and despite a number of problems in its early development, it became one of the most formidable strike aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory. Designed as a multi-role strike fighter, the F-111 pioneered many new technologies, including variable sweep wings to provide optimum performance at all speeds, and a terrain-following radar system which allowed it to fly at very low level and high speed over a changing terrain. However, an attempt to turn it into an interceptor was an expensive failure.

The museum displays the FB-111A version, which was specially designed as a strategic bomber, carrying nuclear weapons at high speed and over long ranges. Seventy-six of this model were built to bridge the gap between the retirement of the B-58 Hustler and the arrival of the B-1 Lancer. After the B-1 entered service, the Air Force retired the FB-111s or modified them as F-111Gs for tactical bombing. The Air Force never gave the F-111 family of aircraft an official name while in service, but airmen dubbed it the “Aardvark” because of its oddly-shaped nose. The Air Force finally formalized the Aardvark name on the day it was retired.

The FB-111A on display served with the Strategic Air Command at Carswell, Plattsburgh, and Pease Air Force Bases before coming to Lowry Air Force Base in 1990 as a weapons loading trainer. It is on loan to Wings Over the Rockies from the National Museum of the US Air Force.

Air & Space Museum Air & Space Museum

Lowry - Denver

Air & Space Museum

Upcoming Events

Saturday Apr 27
10:00AM TO 2:00PM
Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport)

Warbird Invasion

Warbird Invasion
Saturday, Apr 27, 2024 | 10:00AM to 2:00PM

The invasion is about to begin! Join us for a spectacular display of aviation history and see various types of warbirds up close at Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight. Featured aircraft will include the Sonoran Beauty, T-34 Mentor, L-19 Bird Dog, SNJ-5 Texan, TB-30 Socata Epsilon, Boeing Stearman and many more*! Plus, enjoy live vintage music from Bianca and the Flyboys from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Pre-Purchase Tickets

*Featured aircraft subject to change.

Food Truck*: Flavor of Tabasco
*Food is not included with admission.

The Sonoran Beauty is unfortunately undergoing maintenance and will no longer be selling rides at this event.

Saturday Apr 27
11:00AM TO 12:00PM
Air & Space Museum

Speaker Series | Oppenheimer’s Legacy

Speaker Series | Oppenheimer’s Legacy
Saturday, Apr 27, 2024 | 11:00AM to 12:00PM

Join us at the Air & Space Museum to hear from guest speaker Steve Kelly for a Speaker Series titled Oppenheimer’s Legacy: The Development of Nuclear Strategy in the Post-War Period.

Pre-Purchase Tickets

The defeat of the Axis powers in 1945 brought about a mix of optimism and fear as the war-time allies of Russia, Great Britain and the United States became engaged in a world-wide competition known as the Cold War. Central to this competition was the weapon developed by a team of extraordinary scientists led by J. Robert Oppenheimer at the secret lab in Los Alamos, New Mexico. This presentation will look at the development of atomic weapons in both the United States and the Soviet Union in the immediate post-war period and emergence of a new strategy in power politics.

This presentation will take place in the Harrison Ford Theater and is included in museum admission.

Thursday May 2
6:00PM TO 7:00PM
Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport)

Wings Aerospace Exploration Parent/Family Info Night

Wings Aerospace Exploration Parent/Family Info Night
Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 6:00PM to 7:00PM

Full STEAM Ahead – Immerse Your Student into Aerospace!

Join us for an informational session to learn about Wings Aerospace Exploration (WAE), a hands-on enrichment program for students in grades 6-12 from the team at Wings Over the Rockies™. This meeting will take place at Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport (13005 Wings Way, Englewood, CO 80112).

Register Here

WAE students will have the opportunity to explore the wonders of flight, engage with industry professionals, and gain valuable skills for future careers in aerospace. The program includes building and operating RC airplanes, drones and robotics, as well as coding, rocketry and LOTS of other aviation and space related subjects. Wings Aerospace Exploration is an enrichment program and complements but does not take the place of an accredited educational institution.

Wings is thrilled to announce the expansion of the WAE pathway to the Exploration of Flight campus at Centennial Airport! For this upcoming 2024/2025 school year, WAE – Centennial will be open to high school students (grades 9-12) and focus on two primary pathways – Drone Pilot Course and Private Pilot Course. Each of the pathways will prepare students to become certified by the FAA. Students in the Drone Pilot Pathway will immerse themselves in the attainment of industry certifications and will have support from at least four industry professionals as mentors, flight instructors and career coaches. The Private Pilot Pathway will provide students with the basic skills to prepare them to become Private Pilots, including flight simulators, ground school, airport operations and more.

Questions, please contact:
Program Coordinator – Nedra Hall 303.360.5360 ext 125
NHall@WingsMuseum.org

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