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.