American observer: The FB-111 plane could become an inexpensive alternative to the B-1B Lancer bomber

The FB-111 strategic bomber was created on the basis of the B-111 tactical bomber and was unified with it. It was supposed to be operated until the aircraft, known today as the B-1B, entered service. But the fact is that the FB-111 could have become an inexpensive alternative to the B-1B Lancer bomber.

American columnist Thomas Newdick discusses its prospects in an article published by The Drive.

They decided to create it in 1965, and already in 1967 the prototype went on its maiden flight. Only 76 units were produced. But when, in 1977, the US Air Force decided to stop using B-1 bombers and began looking for a replacement for them, the FB-111 was noticed. True, it has not yet pulled the role of a full-fledged strategic, so they decided to modify it. The new aircraft was named FB-111H.

It was very different from the base model. The fact is that the military wanted a bomber with a larger payload, capable of also carrying more fuel, that is, having a greater flight range. The issue was resolved by lengthening the fuselage of its predecessor FB-111A. Actually, they did not build a new aircraft, but modified the existing one.

Its fuselage is 2,64 meters longer, allowing it to carry twice as much fuel and three times as much payload.

The developers calculated that 167 of these aircraft, some of which were going to be converted from the F-111A, and some to build, would cost $ 7 billion, that is, over 42 million per plane. This cost was more than half that of the later created B-1B Lancer.

But in 1981, it was decided to focus on reviving the B-1 program, which eventually led to the creation of the B-1B Lancer.

Therefore, the FB-111 remained in stories as an aircraft of the Cold War era, and the B-1B, like the more "older" B-52, is still in operation.

Comments

[bober1982]

If we follow this logic, then it would be necessary to lengthen the Su-24 in order to bring it to an inexpensive alternative to the Tu-160.

[Radiator]

Have you heard about the Tu-22M? This has already been done.

[bober1982]

Quote: Radiator

Have you heard about the Tu-22M?

Have you heard about the Tu-22M2, have you?

Quote: Radiator

This has already been done.

What has been done? What is the connection between Tu-22 and Su-24? Tell me.

[Alexander Vorontsov]

Quote: bober1982

Quote: Radiator

Have you heard about the Tu-22M?

Have you heard about the Tu-22M2, have you?

Quote: Radiator

This has already been done.

What has been done? What is the connection between Tu-22 and Su-24? Tell me.

You have a funny conversation =))

This story reminded me of a humorous saying that the Volzvagen driver believes that he has cheated the system, because VW is almost an Audi, only without overpaying for the brand.
And the Skoda driver cheats the system twice, because the Skoda is almost VW.

It's the same here. In theory, "almost the same" but in reality it is not at all the same))

[Pereira]

It is logical. Shoda = Audi. Only without overpayment.
Auditors constantly complex before shkodniki.
And solarisers laugh at them all.
But seriously, natural Germans believe that the prices for a Mercedes are godlessly raised.

[spech]

Heard somewhere
A bolt worth 2 cents after screwing into a Mercedes costs 2 dollars.

[Growlers]

Well, it seems to the "boys" that in the picture they are very similar Tu - 22, Su - 24 ... What's the difference?

[Anatoly 288]

The letter "U" is common !!!

[Doliva63]

Quote: Anatoly 288

The letter "U" is common !!!

And as if imperceptibly makes them related

[Radiator]

Quote: bober1982

What has been done? What is the connection between Tu-22 and Su-24? Tell me.

The connection is not with the Su-24, but with your words above. I will refresh my memory.

Quote: bober1982

lengthen the Su-24, in order to bring it to an inexpensive alternative to the Tu-160

This is Tu-22M *

[Observer2014]

You, about the Tu 22, probably wanted to cite an example. Instead of the Tu 160?

[bober1982]

Quote: Observer2014

You, about the Tu 22, probably wanted to cite an example. Instead of the Tu 160?

Why Tu-22? and why exactly ...- m?
Why waste time on trifles, just up to the size of Tu-160 and increase it.

[Observer2014]

Quote: bober1982

Quote: Observer2014

You, about the Tu 22, probably wanted to cite an example. Instead of the Tu 160?

Why Tu-22? and why exactly ...- m?
Why waste time on trifles, just up to the size of Tu-160 and increase it.

Have you seen what the Tu 22 looks like? Remind me?

Well, how can the Tu 22 m (numbers) be put further?

[bober1982]

But, after all, you are talking about Tu-22m, and post a picture of Tu-22
Now compare that the Tu-22, that the Tu-22m with the Su-24
What connection can there be between them and what is common?

[Observer2014]

Quote: bober1982

But, after all, you are talking about Tu-22m, and post a picture of Tu-22
Now compare that the Tu-22, that the Tu-22m with the Su-24
What connection can there be between them and what is common?

bober1982 (vladimir)
Why Tu-22? and why exactly ...- m?
Why waste time on trifles, just up to the size of Tu-160 and increase it.

?????????????????? I'm probably getting old How to explain to a person that the Tu 22 and Tu 22 m series are visually different aircraft? And the Tu 24 series is more similar to the Su 22

[Bad_gr]

This is Tu-22M3, there was also Tu-22M2

[Radiator]

Your memory is tight at all.
You wrote above about "an inexpensive alternative to the Tu-160". The Su-24 in common with the Tu-22M is the same as the Su-24 with the Tu-160.

[bober1982]

Quote: Observer2014

Have you seen what the Tu 22 looks like?

By the way, pay attention to the aesthetics of the Tu-22, it is flawless, a very beautiful aircraft.

[novel66]

the location of the engines is structurally incorrect, on the course on aircraft designs it was given as an example how not to do

[Mikhail Tynda]

In the units his name was Ogre.

[Bad_gr]

Quote: Mikhail Tynda

In the units his name was Ogre.

I haven’t heard of the "Cannibal". "Awl".
At the navigator, the catapult was fired down, which is not good at all. I will not say about the rest of the crew. (I'm talking about Tu-22, without letters and numbers)

[Santa Fe]

Su was supposed to be the answer to the F-111, but did not mature

The takeoff weight of the Lancer and the Tu-160 differ by 1,5 times. In terms of its performance characteristics, the American bomber is close to our Tu-22M

And here these examples

[Dkuznecov]

The top wheelbarrow is aesthetically beautiful.

[Observer2014]

Quote: DKuznecov

The top wheelbarrow is aesthetically beautiful.

There, both "cars" are beautiful aesthetically. And especially practically the second one.

[bober1982]

Quote: Observer2014

There both "cars" are beautiful aesthetically

Airplanes with an aesthetic appearance are not always reliable and good, sometimes it happens and, exactly the opposite. cannibal

Quote: Observer2014

both "cars"

Airplanes are not called that way, and they have never been called.

[Dkuznecov]

They call it whatever you like, the context is enough to
understand that we are not talking about gardening tools.
There are no regulations, I assure you.
Maybe some sect is prohibited.

I didn’t come up with the aesthetics of the aircraft,
Tupolev spoke out, there was such a designer.
I personally support.

[voyaka uh]

While the concept was to break through at speed, such aircraft
had value. Either a breakthrough at the minimum height, or,
on the contrary, very high.
But anti-aircraft missiles react and fly faster.

[APASUS]

Some kind of hat, not a plane !!

During the operation of the F-111, at least 123 aircraft were lost

and a complete list of disasters
http://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/dblist.php?AcType=F111&sorteer=datekey&page=1
It doesn't shit like that, with 563 cars produced, almost every fifth

[Dkuznecov]

Really a lot. Although over 40 (forty years).

[novel66]

well, the Su-24 also lost a lot

[novel66]

what speaks of the superiority of the Soviet design school

[Alien From]

I would call this article a note, no more ... the topic is not covered .......

[Old26]

The FB-111 strategic bomber was created on the basis of the B-111 tactical bomber and was unified with it.

It was created on the basis of the F-111 fighter-bomber, and not on the basis of the B-111 "bomber". In general, it is stupid to equate B-1B and FB-111. The second one has at least half the range with the same payload. And the maximum useful load for the FB-111 is 7 tons, and for the B-1B, the total is three times greater. In addition, the B-1V is capable of carrying cruise missiles and promising hypersonic missiles. FB-111 - bombs only. SRAMs are gone for a long time

[Zaurbek]

Well, this is how the Su24 can replace the Tu22 ..... but B1V is larger than the Tu22m3

[Voltsky]

The FB-111 plane could become an inexpensive alternative

drug addicts, drug addicts flood the planet .... Front-line bomber, and strategic bomber; damn the name alone says that their goals are different

[Santa Fe]

Read about the combat use of the F-111 in Libya and the Middle East

Pocket Strategic Bomber

[Voltsky]

Quote: Santa Fe

Pocket Strategic Bomber

is it like a pocket cuckoo clock ?! I report that the technique is created for certain tasks, initially some tasks were set for the spearman, others were set for the 111th. And then you can even call it the airship-master of the stratosphere, from this it will not turn into a spaceplane.

[Santa Fe]

The planning of the military action, called "Canyon Eldorado", was seriously hampered by the fact that European countries (Italy, Germany) refused to give permission for the use of their air bases. It was decided to use the F-111 attack aircraft of the 3rd US Air Force, based in the UK. Since France and Spain did not provide their own airspace for the F-111, the only option was to go around the Iberian Peninsula, fly over the Strait of Gibraltar and reach Tripoli along the African coast.

[Pavel57]

Quote: bober1982

If we follow this logic, then it would be necessary to lengthen the Su-24 in order to bring it to an inexpensive alternative to the Tu-160.

There was a Su-24M project.

[Undecim]

The new aircraft was named FB-111H.
The author was too lazy to find an image of the FB-111H.
And after the FB-111H project, there was the next project - FB-111B / C, similar to the FB-111H modification, but based on a revised version.

[Old26]

Quote: APASUS

Some kind of hat, not a plane !!

During the operation of the F-111, at least 123 aircraft were lost

and a complete list of disasters
http://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/dblist.php?AcType=F111&sorteer=datekey&page=1
It doesn't shit like that, with 563 cars produced, almost every fifth

The article refers to the FB-111A strategist, not the F-111 tactical strike aircraft. You are absolutely right about the F-111. But of the 76 FB-111A strategists, NONE of them were lost during the operation.

Quote: Voletsky

The FB-111 plane could become an inexpensive alternative

drug addicts, drug addicts flood the planet .... Front-line bomber, and strategic bomber; damn the name alone says that their goals are different

By the way, the FB-111A was classified as a medium strategic bomber in the 70s.

[Gippo]

I saw both the F-111 and B-1B live.
The latter is much more beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, or something ...
Tupolev seems to have said that a beautiful plane will always fly. So he still flies.

[Cowbra]

Well, it is believed that the B-1B have outlived theirs. They say that they were chased in the tail and in the mane in all attempts to spread democracy with carpet bombing, as a result, the strategic aviation was shattered, grinding hospitals with weddings by strategists. What is rather mysterious - strategists are called strategists because it is stupid to use them to solve tactical problems. Rather, on the contrary, the effectiveness of a raid by, for example, assault aircraft on a gang of mujahideen will be higher than if a couple of lancers bombard the same gang from 10 km ... And the dog knows him - they got hit, they didn't hit, not stormtroopers to walk over their heads and see everything

[Old26]

Quote: Cowbra

Well, it is believed that the B-1B have outlived theirs. They say that they were chased in the tail and in the mane in all attempts to spread democracy with carpet bombing, as a result, the strategic aviation was shattered, grinding hospitals with weddings by strategists. What is rather mysterious - strategists are called strategists because it is stupid to use them to solve tactical problems. Rather, on the contrary, the effectiveness of a raid by, for example, assault aircraft on a gang of mujahideen will be higher than if a couple of lancers bombard the same gang from 10 km ... And the dog knows him - they got hit, they didn't hit, not stormtroopers to walk over their heads and see everything

Well, in Syria, the tasks performed by the TU-160 or TU-95MS were also difficult to call strategic.