General Dynamics F111 Aardvark

Developed in the 1960s by General Dynamics, the F-111 pioneered variable-sweep
wings, afterburning turbofan engines, and automated terrain-following radar for
low-level, high-speed ight. Its design inuenced later variable-sweep wing aircraft,
and some of its advanced features have become commonplace. Being relatively
expensive to maintain amid post-Cold War budget cuts, the USAF elected to retire
its F-111 eet during the 1990s.