F-111 Sole Operator Program: Maintaining the Structural Integrity of an Aging Fighter Aircraft

Abstract : Introduction The F-111 is a dual-seat, supersonic, variable geometry wing strike aircraft that has enjoyed RAAF and USAF service for the last 30 years. Approximately 550 aircraft were built between 1964 and 1973, with model variants from F-111A to F-111F. RAAF operations commenced in 1973 with the purchase of 24 F-111C aircraft and are planned to continue to 2020. Due to the age of the fleet and its changed circumstances following the retirement of the USAF F-111 fleets, a special program was initiated by the RAAF 1, to step back and take a fresh, holistic look at its F-111 aircraft structural integrity (ASI) management. It was titled the F-111 Sole Operator Program' and the aim was to ensure that all the required capabilities and data were in place to support the structural integrity of the aircraft to 2020.