http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=8124lhm6d7o
This video shows what a F-111G ( a ex USAF SAC FB-111A) can do at low level and near the sound barrier...
What makes it interesting is that the F-111 could do alot more damage in a war zone...with just the sound barrier affect on the enemy population.
I have read stories of F-111 flying in Hanoi doing LB2 in Dec 1972 and they were so quick and silent once their 24 Mk82 had released, they were around a few hundred metres to a km away before the explosions occurred and the North suspected a B52 raid was in action... this happened a few times.
Shame in under 2years the F-111C will be no more due to a policy that feels that a F-35 is more capable.
In Australia speed and stealth and high war load is what dictacts this country's needs and a short range, low warload and expensive new generation jet will never come close.
I have seen F-111 scare the living daylight out of people at an airshow by sneaking in at around 200ft and close to 600knts and that pass left everyone in no doubt as to why we got the plane first place.. your dead cause you aint seeing it coming.
Only problem tho .. radar will detect F-111 and F-35 anywhere.
I cant see a F-35 doing 650knts or something down in weeds at 2am in morning.... unlike the F-111 thats a normal's day work for its crews.