Boondoggle?

This is coolbert.

It may very well be that an off-the-cuff remark of President John F. Kennedy led to one of the worst military equipment boondoggles of all time.

It seems that early in his Presidency, while viewing take offs and landings of naval aviation aboard an aircraft carrier, the President was heard to remark, "Why do we need so many different types of aircraft?? Can't we have just one aircraft that does it all??"

The concept in place was at the time was to have naval aviation with dedicated aircraft for specific purposes. An air wing aboard an aircraft carrier would consist of fighter/interceptors, reconnaissance, bomber, early warning, refueling aircraft, etc. Different types of planes, each designed with a specific mission in mind. Optimal performance is thereby obtained.

Kennedy was wondering if it was not possible to design one aircraft that "could do it all". A concept that undoubtedly would be advantageous from a cost standpoint. Running an aircraft carrier with a full complement of aircraft aboard is not cheap. Is very expensive. Just the ship itself is expensive. Aircraft are also a very big additional expense. Cutting costs IS desirable, if possible.

Evidently the Secretary of Defense at the time, Robert S. Mac Namara, was also present aboard the aircraft carrier and overheard this off-the-cuff remark of the President. Mac Namara took this remark of the President's seriously, and ordered the military to begin design and procurement of such an aircraft, an aircraft that "can do it all". [Over the protestations of the military, protestations being overridden.]

This project, the progeny of an off-the-cuff remark of the President and the misguided ideals of Robert S. Mac Namara, became known as the FTX project [fighter tactical experimental]. Was to be a super aircraft, with variable geometry wings [swept back for supersonic speed, swept forward for low-speed flight], and possessing the latest, state-of-the-art terrain following radar for low level attack.

It was quickly determined that trying to develop a combat aircraft that "can do it all" was not an easy design task. The FTX project did result in a combat aircraft christened the F-111. However, this aircraft, in the finished design, DID NOT meet the requirements of the U.S. Navy. WAS TOO HEAVY! Was NOT able to take off and land on an aircraft carrier!! Indeed, the entire design process following the requirements as determined by the military services meant that the resulting F-111 was a combat aircraft that COULD, perhaps, do it all, but do none of it [air combat] well. Was inferior across the board to DEDICATED aircraft.

It turned out that neither the Navy or the Air Force wanted this aircraft!!

During the Vietnam War, six of these F-111 fighter/bombers DID deploy to Vietnam to join in the bombing offensive against North Vietnam. The much vaunted low-level attack terrain following radar notwithstanding, two of the new deployed F-111's promptly crashed!! This mission was deemed a failure! For obvious reasons!!

What to do with this boondoggle?? A combat aircraft that NO ONE wanted!!??

A face saving solution WAS found for the Department of Defense.

It was decided to chop and lengthen the fuselages of the existing F-111 fleet, install new, more powerful jet engines, and have the Air Force utilize the improved F-111 as an intermediate range tactical bomber. Deployed at air bases in England, the F-111 was finally destined to deliver atomic weaponry and guided munitions against Warsaw Pact forces. A deep penetration bomber with pretty good capability at that.



It seems the F-111 DID perform this role in a successful manner. Was a deterrent that the Soviets would have to defend against. And DID perform well during the first Gulf war too. Delivered guided munitions from low-level attack with consistency!!

It would seem that the aircraft designed to "do it all" ended up as a niche aircraft, fulfilling a role originally not intended, and only then with extensive modification.

coolbert.