The General Dynamics TACT/F-111A Aardvark is seen In a banking-turn over the California Mojave desert. This photograph affords a good view of the supercritical wing airfoil shape. Starting in 1971 the NASA Flight Research Center and the Air Force undertook a major research and flight testing program, using F-111A (#63-9778), which would span almost 20 years before completion. Intense interest over the results coming from the NASA F-8 supercritical wing program spurred NASA and the Air Force to modify the General Dynamics F-111A to explore the application of supercritical wing technology to maneuverable military aircraft. This flight program was called Transonic Aircraft Technology (TACT).
Photographer NASA
Location Edwards, CA, USA
F-111 TACTF-111AF-111EAardvarkGeneral Dynamics F-111A AardvarkNASA Dryden Flight Research CenterAir ForceTransonic Aircraft TechnologyTACTMission Adaptive WingMAWDr Richard WhitcombSupercritical WingNASA Langley Research CenterIntegrated Propulsion Control SystemIPCSAdvanced Fighter Technology IntegrationAFTIDigital Electronic Engine ControlDEECAir Force Flight Dynamics LaboratoryAir Force Flight Propulsion LaboratoryPratt Whitney CompanyNatural Laminar Flow