Why is the combination of the F-111 and the F-22 Raptor so well suited to Australias needs?
The F-22A and F-111 are mutually complementary in their capabilities. The F-22A provides top tier air dominance capability against high performance combat aircraft, and the ability to penetrate deep into heavily defended airspace to kill high value aerial and ground targets, including AEW&C aircraft, command bunkers, radars and missile sites. The F-111 on the other hand provides enormous punch, as it can typically carry twice the weapon load of smaller fighters to around twice the distance. As the F-22A is the most effective aircraft in existence for sanitising hostile airspace of fighters and defending missile systems, it can rapidly degrade opposing defences to allow the F-111 to deliver its superlative punch without hindrance against ground targets. The F-22A is thus an ‘enabler’ for the F-111, yet it also fills the specialised deep strike role, and can perform reconnaissance as well. If the F-111 is equipped with a suitable modern radar and missiles, it also provides a very economi
