REPUBLIC F-105 Thunderchief | The "Thud" | A Vietnam War Legend

The F-105 Thunderchief, a legend of the Vietnam War.

Here's a breakdown of the F-105's development and history:

The Origins and Design: In the early 1950s, the USAF sought a replacement for the F-84F Thunderstreak, a jet fighter-bomber. Republic Aviation responded with a design focused on high-speed, low-altitude penetration, primarily for delivering nuclear weapons.  The F-105 was designed to be a large, single-engine aircraft capable of carrying a substantial payload at supersonic speeds. This emphasis on payload and speed distinguished it from earlier fighter designs.  The prototype YF-105A made its first flight in October 1955, marking the beginning of the Thunderchief's journey.  

Later, the F-105F and F-105G "Wild Weasel" variants were developed for the specialized role of Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), tasked with neutralizing enemy surface-to-air missile sites. This role proved critical during the Vietnam War.  

Vietnam War and Legacy:
The F-105 played a crucial role in the Vietnam War, performing numerous strike missions against heavily defended targets in North Vietnam.  Despite its impressive capabilities, the F-105 suffered high loss rates due to the intense combat environment.   The Wild Weasel variants, however, became very important in the air war, and their crews became very well known for their bravery.

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, was designed as a supersonic fighter-bomber with a heavy emphasis on payload and speed. Its weapon systems were integral to its role as a nuclear strike platform and later, as a conventional bomber and "Wild Weasel" suppression aircraft.  

Here's an overview of the F-105's weapon systems:

Nuclear Capabilities:
The F-105's primary design mission was to deliver nuclear weapons at supersonic speeds. Its large internal bay could accommodate a variety of nuclear bombs, reflecting the strategic doctrine of the era.   The aircraft's speed and low-altitude penetration capabilities were vital for delivering these weapons against heavily defended targets.   Conventional Bombing:
As the Vietnam War escalated, the F105 transitioned to a conventional bombing role. Its internal bay and external pylons allowed for the carriage of a substantial bomb load, including conventional bombs, napalm, and cluster bombs.

The F105's ability to carry a large payload made it a valuable asset for tactical bombing missions against targets in North Vietnam.   The aircraft could carry up to 12,000 pounds of external stores.
Internal Cannon: The F-105 was equipped with an internal M61 Vulcan 20mm cannon, providing a powerful close-range weapon for air-to-air combat and strafing targets.   While primarily a bomber, this cannon gave the thunderchief some dog fighting capability.

Air-to-Air Missiles:
The F105 could carry AIM9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles on its external pylons, providing a limited self-defense capability against enemy fighters.
These missiles were not the primary weapon system of the aircraft.

"Wild Weasel" Systems:
The F105G "Wild Weasel" variant was specifically designed for the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses role. These aircraft were equipped with advanced radar warning receivers, electronic countermeasures systems, and specialized weapons like the AGM45 Shrike and AGM78 Standard anti-radiation missiles.   These weapons allowed the Wild Weasels to target and destroy enemy surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites, clearing the way for strike packages.  

Advanced Avionics:
The F105D, the primary production model, featured advanced radar and navigation systems, enabling all-weather bombing capabilities.   These systems were crucial for navigating to targets and delivering weapons accurately in challenging weather conditions.

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