THE US AIR FORCE RETIRED the General Dynamics F-111 fighter-bomber on 27 July - but only after officially naming the aircraft the Aardvark, its long-time nickname. The Grumman-modified EF-111 electronic-warfare version of the aircraft will continue in USAF service until 1999, and Australia (the only other operator) plans to keep its F-111s in service until 2020. Rockwell is upgrading 21 Australian F/RF-111Cs with new avionics and flight controls.
Source: Flight International
The January incident at Ellsworth AFB resulted in the destruction of the $450 million bomber and a rare quadruple ejection of the crew, who were attempting to execute an instrument landing during poor weather.
Athens signed a long-sought letter of offer and acceptance with airframer Lockheed Martin covering 20 F-35 stealth fighters, with options for a further 20 jets.
The joint North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched fighter aircraft from both the USA and Canada on 24 July to intercept a combined flight of bombers from Russia and China operating in international airspace around Alaska.
