Golden Age Weaponsmiths F-111F Aardvark / EF-111A Raven:
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was originally a United States Air
Force project designed to fill the roles of both a fighter and a medium
bomber. While the aircraft was not as good an interceptor as the F-15 Eagle
constructed around at same time, it was an excellent bomber and ground
attack aircraft. The fighter remained in service for over thirty years.
Before the aircraft was withdrawn from service in the late Nineteen-Nineties
and placed in storage, the aircraft fought in multiple actions including
Vietnam, Libya, and Desert Storm. Other than the United States Air Force,
the F-111 Aardvark was operated by the Australian Air Force. It continued
to be flown for the Australian Air Force for over a decade after being
retired in United States service. Originally, the British Air Force planned
to buy a number of F-111 Aardvarks as well but the order was canceled.
As with several other aircraft, some of the aircraft were found in storage
bunkers and were refitted to more modern standards by Golden Age Weaponsmiths.
They have performed well in combat and even the Coalition is concerned
because the aircraft are capable of very low level missions. One of these
aircraft could easily be used to destroy Coalition fortifications and run
away at high speed at low altitude before a Coalition fighter could intercept
it. While many would say that this aircraft is inferior to the Aircastle
bomber and does not carry enough defensive weaponry, unlike the Aircastle,
the Aardvark can run away at high Mach speed, can fly at very low levels,
and is still fairly capable in a dogfight against other fighters. The Aardvark
is a variable wing geometry aircraft (Swing wings) and whenever the fighter
accelerates to Mach One or above, the wings are swept back. Even though
popular, the F-111 is not likely to be copied for a new built fighter unlike
the F-16 and F/A-18.
The EF-111A Raven is a modified early version F-111 Aardvark with all
weapons removed and carrying the ALQ-99E Jamming system, which is a modified
version of the system that was carried on Navy EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G
Growler, in the aircrafts ordnance bay and multiple other modifications
to allow for the operation of the aircraft's ECM equipment. A radome is
mounted about the tail. These aircraft were refitted by Grumman and unlike
the Aardvark, the Raven was only operated by the United States Air Force.
They were retired soon after the Aardvark and put in storage alongside
the fighter-bombers. Golden Age Weaponsmiths has found a very small number
of these aircraft, basically only a handful, and has refitted them. Because
of the aircraft's high performance, they make an excellent Electronic Counter
Measure (ECM) aircraft and are incredibly useful when operated with other
Aardvarks or similar high performance aircraft. The EF-111A Raven use a
older engine then the F-11F Aardvarks does and is slightly slower but is
still quite fast and has excellent range.
While the aircraft are not as heavily armored as aircraft built in the
time of the Rifts, the refitting of the aircraft with new high strength
composite and alloy armor allows the aircraft to have some survivability
in the modern combat environment. When the gun is carried, the F-111 Aardvark
had a massive payload of ammunition for its 20 mm cannon and the rounds
have been replaced by special Wellington Industries ramjet rounds like
those that are carried on the other aircraft that they have refitted including
the F-14 Tomcat, F-15E Eagle, F-16 Falcon, and F/A-18 Hornet. The aircraft's
six hard points have been refitted to carry standard missiles constructed
on Rifts Earth. Usually however only the four inner hard points are loaded
because the outer hard point is fixed and prevent the fighter from going
above about Mach One when loaded. An infra-red sensor system has been integrated
into the nose of the aircraft and the ordnance bay has been freed to carry
ordnance with the elimination of the Pave Tack system. This enables the
aircraft to carry a maximum of eight cruise missiles and two medium range
missile or mixtures of smaller ordnance. Unlike the Aardvark, The Raven
has no hard points and the main modifications have been to simply upgrade
the aircraft's armor so that it can be hit by enemy fire and not be automatically
destroyed. Both versions are reconditioned to fully restore the engines
and electronics. Radar has limited abilities in air to air combat compared
to most fighters although is extemely useful for ground attack.
There was planned a naval version of this aircraft but present versions
of this aircraft are not capable of carrier landings itself and were never
fitted with a tail hook. Unlike most aircraft, the whole cockpit of the
Aardvark ejects and is designed to be used as a shelter on land and has
special flotation devices for use in the water. Pilot and weapon's officer
also sit side by side unlike most fighters were the pilot and weapon's
officer sit with the pilot in front. Like most American pre-Rifts aircraft,
the Aardvark and Raven have the ability to be refueled in the air in addition
to having an outstanding range. While the aircraft design has variable
position wings similar to F-14 Tomcat, it has only a single tail. Both
the F-111 and early F-14 share twin Pratt and Whitney TF30 engines. Later,
the engines were upgraded on the F-14 Tomcat to the far more powerful General
Electric F110-GE-400 engines.
(Author Note: Where the F-111F and EF-111 are identical, there are a
single set of figures and only where the aircraft are different are the
different values listed separately)
| Model Numbers: | F-111F | Aardvark |
| EF-111A | Raven |
| Vehicle Type: | F-111E | Twin Engine Fighter-Bomber |
| EF-111A | Twin Engine ECM tactical jamming aircraft |
| Crew: | F-111E | Two (Pilot & Weapon's Officer) |
| EF-111A | Two (Pilot & Sensor / Jamming Operator) |
M.D.C. by Location:
| Internal Ordnance Bay | 100 |
| [1] Wings (2): | 110 each |
| [2] Elevators (2): | 50 each |
| [2] Rudders (1): | 50 each |
| Cockpit: | 100 |
| [3] Engines (2): | 100 |
| Landing Gear (3): | 5 each |
| [4] Main Body: | 180 |
Notes:
[1] Destroying a wing will cause the plane to crash
[2] Destruction of the rudder or one elevator will still allow the
fighter to be controlled by the varying of power levels of the engines
but the fighter has a penalty of -10 to dodge, and a -30% penalty to all
piloting rolls. Destruction of both of the elevators will leave the plane
uncontrollable and pilot must eject to survive.
[3] The destruction of one engine will reduce the fighters top speed
by half and give the pilot a -2 penalty to dodge as well as giving a 10%
penalty to piloting. Destruction of both engines will cause the aircraft
to crash. The crew may attempt an emergency landing or Crew can choose
to eject.
[4] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the Aarcraft down
completely, rendering it useless and causing it to crash if in flight.
Speed:
Driving on Ground (Taxiing): Only possible for take offs and
landings as well as for parking and storage. Speed is 40 mph (64 kph) when
traveling and not on take off or landing.
Flying:
F-111F: The Aardvark can reach a top speed of Mach 2.5 (1609.6
knots / 1,923.8 mph / 3,096 kph) on full afterburner (the fighter can only
last a few minutes at that speed.) Top speed is reduced by about 10% when
external hard points are fully loaded. The fighter/bomber's normal cruise
is about 400 knots (460.6 mph / 741.3 kph) but varies on situation. The
aircraft has a maximum altitude of 60,000 feet (18,300 meters)
EF-111A: The Raven can reach a top speed of Mach 2.15 (1384.3
knots /1,654.4 mph/2,662.6 kph) on full afterburner (the aircraft can only
last a few minutes at that speed). The Raven's normal cruise is about 400
knots (460.6 mph / 741.3 kph) but varies on situation. The aircraft has
a maximum altitude of 60,000 feet (18,300 meters)
Range:
F-111F: 2,475 nautical miles (2,848.2 miles/4,583.7 km) with
no external ordnance load. The Aardvark can carry up to four fuel tanks
(on hard points) that extend range by about 155 nautical miles (178.4 miles/287.1
km) each
Reduce aircraft's range by 15% if partially loaded (Over two cruise
missiles or four long range missile missiles not including ordnance in
bay) and by 25% if fully loaded. The F-111F can be refueled in the air.
EF-111A: 1,740 nautical miles (2,000 miles/3,220 km) with no
external fuel tanks. The Raven can carry up to four fuel tanks (on wings
where hard points on Aardvarks are) that extend range by about 155
nautical miles (178.4 miles/287.1 km) each. The EF-111A can be refueled
in the air.
Statistical Data:
Height: F-111F: 17 feet 2 inches (5.1 meters)
EF-111A: 20 feet (6.1 meters)
Wingspan: 63 feet (19 meters) with wings extended and
31 feet 11 inches (11.9 meters) with wings swept back.
Length: F-111F: 73 feet 6 inches (22 meters)
EF-111A: 76 feet (23.16 meters)
Weight: F-111F: 47,481 lbs (21537 kg) empty, 100,000
lbs (45,000 kg) fully loaded.
EF-111A: 55,275 lbs (25,072 kg) empty, 88,948 lbs (40,346 kg)
fully loaded.
Power System: F-111F: Conventional, Two two Pratt and
Whitney TF30-P-100 turbofan engines with afterburner (each with 17,900
lbs dry and 25,100 lbs with afterburner), uses aviation fuel. EF-111A:
Conventional, Two two Pratt and Whitney TF30-P-9 turbofan engines with
afterburner (12,000 lbs dry and 19,600 lb thrust each with afterburner),
uses aviation fuel.
Cargo: Minimal (Storage for small equipment), does not include
hard points and ordnance bay. Ordnance bay, of emptied of ordnance can
carry up to 10,000 lbs (4,535.9 kg) of cargo. The EF-111A has the ALQ-99E
ECM equipment in it bay and can only carry fuel tanks on its wings.
Black Market Cost: F-111F: 5.8 million credits (Can sometimes
sell for double that price)
EF-111A: 12.2 million credits (Can sometimes sell for double
that price)
Weapon Systems:
- One (1) M61A1 20 mm Vulcan cannon (F-111F Only):
The
cannon is mounted within the fighter bomber's ordnance bay and takes about
one quarter of the bay's ordnance capacity when mounted. The gun can be
removed to increase the amount of payload that can be carried. Since the
entire bay of the EF-111A carries jamming pods, the Vulcan cannon cannot
be carried. The weapon is the same cannon design as is carried on the F-14
Tomcat. They have replaced the standard ammo with mega damage, armor piercing
ramjet ammunition produced by Wellington Industries which allows the aircraft
to hold it own against other Rifts aircraft. Gun mount is controlled by
the fighter's pilot.
Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,220 m).
Mega Damage: 1D6x10 for a burst of 30 round, 2D4 for each round.
Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of
the pilot (usually 4 or 5).
Payload: 2,070 rounds (69 bursts)
- One (1) Ordnance Bay (F-111F Only):
The aircraft has
a small bay in the main body that carry a wide variety of different ordnance
types. The Vulcan cannon is also carried in the bay and when carried, the
payload is reduced by one long range missile or its equivalent in other
ordnance. On the EF-111A, the ordnance bay contains the ALQ-99E ECM equipment
and cannot be used to carry additional ordnance. Ordnance types can include
missiles, torpedoes, naval mines, and bombs. Missile and bomb sizes may
be mixed between different types of ordnance but an ordnance drop or launch
must include the same type and size of ordnance. Ordnance may be carried
at the rate of four short range missiles, four light bombs, two medium
range missiles, or two medium bombs for one long range missile or heavy
bomb. One Cruise missile or extra heavy bomb may also be carried instead
of two long range missiles or heavy bombs. Both guided and unguided ordnance
may be carried. Launching of ordnance is controlled by the weapons officer
but the pilot has emergency controls.
Maximum Effective Range: Varies by missile type for missile
and varies by altitude bombs are dropped at (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table for details.)
Mega Damage: Varies by missile or bomb type (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table for details.)
Rate of Fire: Ordnance is dropped or fired one at a time or
in volleys of two (2), four (4), eight (8), twelve (12), or sixteen (16)
but must be the same size (light, medium, or heavy) and style of ordnance
(all missiles or bombs in a volley)
Payload: Sixteen (16) short range missile or light bombs, eight
(8) medium range missiles or medium bombs, four (4) long range missiles
or heavy bombs, or two (2) cruise missiles or extra heavy bombs. Ordnance
can be mixed and naval mines may be carried as well as missiles and bombs
[When carrying Vulcan cannon, reduce payload to twelve (12) short range
missiles or light bombs, six (6) medium range missiles or medium bombs,
three (3) long range missiles or heavy bombs, or one (1) cruise missile
or extra-heavy bomb.]
- Six (6) Wing Hard points (F-111F Only):
the fighter-bomber
has three hard points on each wing to carry additional ordnance. The hard
points can be used to carry missiles, bombs, rocket packs, and jamming
pods as needed by the mission. The outer two hard points are not often
used because while ordnance is carried on them, the aircraft's wings cannot
be swept back. This prevents the aircraft from going to Mach 1 or above.
This is because the hard points are fixed, the other hard points vary their
angle based on the position of the aircraft's wings. On the EF-111A, there
is no fitting for external ordnance and only up to four fuel tanks can
be fitted.
- Missiles & Bombs:
Each hard point can carry one extra
heavy bomb or cruise missile. The hard point can also carry a variety of
different ordnance on a hard point. Two long range missiles or heavy bombs,
four medium range missiles or medium bombs, or eight short range missiles
or light bombs may be substituted on a hard point for a cruise missile.
Both guided and unguided ordnance may be carried. Launching of ordnance
is controlled by the weapons officer but the pilot has emergency controls.
Maximum Effective Range: Varies by missile type for missile
and varies by altitude bombs are dropped at (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table for details.)
Mega Damage: Varies by missile or bomb type (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table for details.)
Rate of Fire: Missiles can be fired and bombs can be dropped
one at a time per hard point. Multiple hard points can be linked as one
attack but must be the same size (light, medium, or heavy) and style of
ordnance (all missiles or bombs in a volley)
Payload: Eight (8) short range missile or light bombs, four
(4) medium range missiles or medium bombs, two (2) long range missiles
or heavy bombs, or one (1) cruise missile or extra heavy bomb (all ordnance
on a hard point must be the same size and type of ordnance) can be carried
on each hard point.
- Mini-Missile Pod:
Large capacity mini-missile pod. The Aircraft
normally carries missile pods for ground strafing, anti-troop, and anti-emplacement
attacks. Normal missile used are armor piercing, plasma, or fragmentation
mini-missiles. The mini missile pods are controlled by the pilot.
Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, mini-missiles
only (Go to Revised
bomb and missile table for details.)
Mega-Damage: Varies with mini-missile types (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table for details.)
Rate of Fire: Each pod can fire one at a time or in volleys
of two (2), four (4), eight (8), or sixteen (16 - all.) and can be linked
with other mini missile pods for greater number of missiles (Counts as
one attack no matter how many missiles in volley)
Payload: Each pod carries sixteen (16) mini-missiles.
- Towed Decoys (4):
The pod takes place of all ordnance on
the Hard Point. The aircraft can carry a special pod that carries four
advanced towed decoy drones. These drones are dragged about 328 feet (100
meters) behind the aircraft on a thin cable. Each is a specially designed
radar lure that creates a radar image to mimic the aircraft. If decoys
are not destroyed, they can be recovered and repaired. Rifts Earth decoy
systems are assumed to not operate against Phase World weapons due to technological
difference.
M.D.C.: 5 each
Effects: The decoy has an 65% chance of fooling ordinary non
military radars and non smart guided missiles, the decoy has a 35% chance
of fooling military level radars (like those of the Coalition), and the
decoy has a 10% chance of fooling advanced military radars (Like those
of the New Navy and Triax) and smart missiles.
Range: Not Applicable although the decoy is deployed 328 feet
(100 meters) from the aircraft
Rate of Fire: One can be deployed at a time and requires 15
seconds to deploy (Reel Out) another decoy
Payload: Four (4) decoys each pod.
- Active Jamming Pod:
Pod takes place of all ordnance on the
Hard Point. Causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/
bases can detect that it is jamming, and some missiles will home in on
jamming signals. Jamming also causes a -4 penalty to all radar guided weapons.
- Two (2) Secondary Outer Wing Hard Points (F-111F Only):
These hard points are effectively part of the middle wing hard points but
have a separate ordnance load. This mount is between the main ordnance
load of the main hard point and the wing. These hard points can only carry
missiles, not bombs. Each hard point can carry either one medium range
missile of two short range missiles. These hard points were originally
designed for Sidewinder missiles. The hard points are not fitted to the
EF-111A
Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, medium or
short range missiles only (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table for details.)
Mega-Damage: Varies with missile types (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table for details.)
Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two (2).
Payload: One (1) medium range missile or two (2) short range
missiles per hard point.
- One (1) Anti-Missile Chaff/Flare Dispenser:
Use the same
effects as the TRIAX model. However, each time the system is engaged, the
system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares. This system is carried on both
the F-111F Aardvark and the EF-111A Raven. Rifts Earth decoy systems are
assumed to not operate against Phase World missiles due to technological
difference. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (Add +20% to rolls
for smart missiles.)
Effect:
01-50 Enemy missile or missile volley detonates in chaff cloud - Missiles
are all destroyed
51-75 Enemy missile or missile volley loses track of real target and
veers away in wrong direction (May lock onto another target
76-00 No effect, missile is still on target
Also note that the chaff cloud will also blind flying monsters that
fly through cloud. They will suffer the following penalties: reduce melee
attacks/actions, combat bonuses, and speed by half. Duration: 1D4 melee
rounds.
Payload: 20 chaff, 40 flares. Each time the system is engaged,
the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares.
Special Equipment:
The equipment of the fighter-bomber has been upgraded but many of the
original systems are still on the fighter. Consider the fighter to carry
all standard equipment that robot vehicles carry (not including loudspeaker
and microphone) plus the following extra systems:
- AN/APQ-161 Radar (F-111F): Medium range radar capable of tracking
and targeting both air targets and ground targets. The radar system also
has terrain following capacity. Can track up to eight targets simultaneously
although has no ability to multi-target. Range: 80 nautical miles (92.1
miles / 148.3 kilometers.)
- AN/APQ-160 Radar (EF-111A): Medium range radar capable of tracking
both air targets and ground targets (no targeting ability.) The radar system
also has terrain following capacity. Range: 60 nautical miles (69 miles
/ 111.1 kilometers.)
- AN/ALQ-99E Jamming Suite (EF-111A): It creates a jamming field in
a 40 nautical miles (46.1 miles / 74.1 kilometers) radius in all directions
around the Aircraft. It jams all radars, radios, and all equipment that
uses RF waves. This also includes jamming all friendly forces and all equipment
in Aircraft that is mounting the system and operating it. The system cause
all radar system to have a 75% reduction in range. In addition, radar systems
will have a -25% penalty to detect all targets within their reduced range.
Jamming also causes a -8 penalty to all radar guided weapons within the
area but some radar guided missiles can home on jamming signals.
- E.S.M.: Radar Detector, Passively detects other radars being operated.
(The EF-111A Raven has a +10% bonus to read sensory instrument rolls
when detecting radar systems.)
- FLIR: Forward Looking Infrared. Allows pilot and weapons officer
to get visuals on targets at night.
Combat Bonuses:
+1 to Strike with 20 mm Gun and Mini-Missile Launchers. (Not Applicable
to the EF-111A)
+2 to dodge
+3 to dodge while traveling over 250 mph
[Golden Age Weaponsmiths, Wellington Industries, and TRIAX are trademarks
owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and
Palladium Books Inc.]
By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).
Copyright © 1998, 2001, & 2011, Kitsune. All rights reserved.
