The General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark" was developed according to a US Air Force requirement for a new fighter-bomber and the US Navy's need for a new air Defence fighter with a single platform. The US navy cancelled the F-111B in 1968 due to overweight.

The General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark" was the first operational aircraft with features like swing wings, and afterburning turbofans, and it could cruise supersonically without using the afterburner in clean setup. It also had terrain following radar and a cockpit escape capsule.

At first some problems were experienced with the swing wing mechanism and the air inlets, but they were resolved eventually.

F-111A    first model.

F-111E    with revised air inlets.

F-111D    included digital avionics.

F-111F    fitted with more powerful engines and improved analog avionics

FB-111    strategic nuclear bomber with longer wingspan and heavier undercarriage, in the early 1990's the FB-111's had their nuclear role removed, and were redesignated the F-111G (they went through a digital avionics upgrade)

F-111F    Gulf War veteran (with upgraded digital avionics and pave tack laser designator) was retired in July 1996 While the Electronic warfare General Dynamics EF-111 Raven jammer bowed was fazed out in 1998.

Australia operates 22 General Dynamics F-111C's the C combined the engines and avionics of the F-111A with the FB-111B's heavier undercarriage and longer span wings. Four were modified as RF-111C reconnaissance aircraft, with a similar equipment fit in the bomb-bay as in the F-14's TARP pod. The F-111C's carry the Pave Tack pod and the R/F-111C fleet underwent a comprehensive digital avionics upgrade program, completed in 1999. They were re-engined with 93.4 kN TF30-P109's (from retired USAF F-111's) in the late 1990's Australia bought 15 ex USAF F-111G's which were delivered from 1993. They will help to extend the RAAF F-111 fleet life to 2020.