Seeing how the discussion has strayed somewhat - Having flown various models of the F-111 (F, D ,A, EF) for 10 of my 20 yrs in the AF - the TFR system consisted of a combination of 3 radar antennas in the nose. Terrain vertical sweep and horizontal sweep (actually took into consideration the wing sweep) displayed on an E-scan scope for the pilot to stare at while trying not to wet his pants (night or WX), as well as the "attack" radar the weapons system operator calmly announced whether or not one might clear the next ridge, mountain, telephone lines, or a farmers barbed wire fence. The point is that any radar can paint the terrain. Ever wondered what that little "map" button on the control head was for? One just needs to know how to interpret the returns. Just like painting a thunderhead and wondering if there is another one lurking behind. If one were to, or could, climb another 5,000 ft one could paint that cell too, or clear the ridge going into Cali for example.
Last edited by 749CONNIE; 20th Sep 2013 at 15:22.