The evaluation of the F-111 airplane with an advanced technology engine

This thesis evaluated the performance benefits from replacing the TF-30 engines with the advanced technology F-110 engines in the F-111 airplane for the all weather attack mission. The F-111 was assessed during six hours of flight test at Edwards Air Force base, California. The re-engining analysis used flight test and flight manual performance data as the TF-30 baseline. Net thrust and installed fuel flow of the TF-30 and F-110 engines were determined by cross referencing F-111 flight manual performance data with the engine performance data for the installation of both engines on the F-14 airplane. Stepwise integration was used extensively throughout the analysis to calculate specific airplane performance parameters. Where possible an appropriate TF-30 parameter was calculated and then compared to the flight manual performance data to determine calculation accuracy. It was determined that the F-111 airplane with advanced technology General Electric F-110 engines would provide excellent performance benefits in several mission critical flight phases. These included; shortened takeoff ground roll, decreased time to climb, tighter sustained turns and quicker acceleration. The mission capability and overall airplane survivability during the low-level, all-weather attack missions would be significantly enhanced by the greater thrust capability of the F-110 engine.