!
I'm new around here, but also in a unique position as one of the few, if not the first (definitely for the RAF) in flying all three aircraft in question. F 111F's in Desert Storm, F 15E's in Northern Watch and Deny Flight, GR 1 and 4's in Southern Watch. And what can I say, there is only one winner - you guessed it, the STRKIKE EALGE!
F 111 - Easily the fastest and farthest in a pure low level envrionment, heck, we were cleared 1.2M on the deck on TF! With the Pave Tack pod, a very capable PGM delivery platform. We had an excellent EW suite with with the ALQ 131 Pod. Also had 5-7 'G' available all the time, although not sustainable. The RBM radar was very good at low level, and even better at Med alt where the 'Vaark really proved itself. The dual system TF was very reliable. NVG's weren't a player when I flew the 'Vaark.
GR 4 - Fast but limited on range at low level. Very good at night with NVG. The upgrade from 1 to 4 wasn't enough, still an unfriendly cockpit, although a huge improvement! With the TIALD pod, the GR 4 is holding its own at the moment in Med Alt PW deliveries and future weapons coming on line will only help.
F 15E - The be all, do all airframe of today and the forseeable future! Always a 9 'G' platform. All the A/A capability of the albino plus the A/G abilities of the 'Vaark. It can carry just about anything in the inventory. It doesn't need an escort, and usually IS the escort for the others! The Strike Eagle provides the aircrew with unmatched Situational Awareness through radar, data links and other systems. Has probably the best TF system going, down to 100 feet! Add NVG's and it's unstoppable. Something that hasn't been mentioned by others is the ability to actually 'check six', cockpit visibility is outstanding. I'd like to dispell a rumor that seems to be propagated by those that have never flown an Eagle, the ride at low level is very smooth. The 'Mud Hen' flies just as good at 200 feet as it does above 40,000 feet! When's the last time you saw a Tornado above 25,000 feet? (not a problem for the 'Vaark)
Okay, I'm sure there will be lots of opinions out there on my posting, both positive and negative, but thats life. Today you have to look at the big picture. If you had to go to War today, there can be only one choice in aircraft, the F 15E Strike Eagle!!