I was an Instrument and autopilot or AFCS tech and instructor from 1971 to 1980. I can only recall 3 AFCS computers, pitch roll and yaw. Also there was a feel and trim assembly. What were the six computers that were replaced by the new digital flight control computer? Was there any improvement besides reliability by the new DAFCS?
The DFCS replaced the three flight control computers. The goal of the program was for the DFCS-modified aircraft to match the flying qualities of the unmodified F-111.
@@kenhas87B I became an AFCS instructor for Sikorsky Aircraft on the SH60B in 1980. It had a digital AFCS computer that was replaced about thirty years later because they could no longer get the processor to repair the computer. What was the reason for upgrading the AFCS computers if the handling qualities remained the same. Reliability? Parts maintenance?
@@jnbfrancisco Your suggested reasons are exactly correct. Reliability, parts availability and anticipated reduced maintenance were the reasons for the proposed upgrade. The intent was to make the aircraft fly exactly like the existing F-111 fleet to minimize re-training impacts on the operational squadrons. Of course the pre-flight, systems and EPs would have required re-training but the flying qualities of the modified aircraft were essentially the same as the operational F-111s.
@@kenhas87B I became very impressed with the sofictication of the automatic flight control system on the F111 after I became a field training instructor at Mt Home AFB. I think that some pilots didn't understand the AFCS either If I could have returned to the maintenance of the F111s, I would have done another 10 years in the USAF. I loved to fix that wonderful airplane. I didn't chose to be an instructor and couldn't get out of it so I quit.
My father told me the stories about this aircraft, how it would shake the whole ship every time it landed. Great video! I know my father is somewhere on that ship in this video hoping to caught a glimpse of him
This aircraft is now at China Lake Naval Weapons Station. It is sitting in the sand, engines gutted, faded and tattered. It's a piece of history and should be in an air museum. I'd love to take a picture but photography is strictly forbidden. Next to it is an RA-5 and F-8. About a dozen other aircraft were parked near it and they were all fenced off but are now gone.
About the only role I could see for the 111 on a carrier would be reconnaissance. RF-111B. Although, I don’t know if it would have been any better than the RF-4B.
I was at Mountain Home with our sister base at Cannon during 1984- 1987. This is an Air Force fighter bomber at it best. This aircraft has USAF written all over it. Loved this aircraft.
What squadron were you with at MHAFB, Mississippi Slab? I was at Mountain Home from 77 to 81 and again from 86 to 91. Loved the F version when we had it for a short time until they transferred to England during Operation Ready Switch!
@@scottbarron611 I was with the DCM staff ( Aircraft System Analyst/ Schedulers). Work with the 389th and 390th Aircraft Maintenance Units while I was there.
26/06/2022 Our F trucks, as we also called them, were an obvious sight over Ipswich Queensland when I lived there, being close to their Amberley airbase. Unfortunately our politicians agreed that the RAAF's planes were to be amongst the numbers reduced by nuclear disarmament deals with Russia. Subsequently they were dropped down abandoned coal mines in the local area and the RAAF's ability was dramatically reduced; replaced by Hornets.
