F-14 Tomcat

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a United States Navy supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-place strike fighter. The Tomcat's primary missions are air superiority, fleet air defense and precision strike against ground targets.

Sailors prepare an F-14 Tomcat for flight on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (year 2003).

The F-14 has visual and all-weather attack capability to deliver Phoenix and Sparrow missiles as well as the M-61 gun and Sidewinder missiles for close in air-to-air combat. The F-14 also has the LANTIRN targeting system that allows delivery of various laser-guided bombs for precision strikes in air-to-ground combat missions. The F-14, equipped with Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) is the Navy's only manned tactical reconnaissance platform.

The F-14 entered the fleet in 1973, replacing the F-4 Phantom II. The F-14B, introduced in November 1987, incorporated new General Electric F-110 engines. In 1995, an upgrade program was initiated to incorporate new digital avionics and weapon system improvements to strengthen its multi-mission competitive edge. The F-14D, delivered in 1990, was a major upgrade with F-110 engines, new APG-71 radar system, Airborne Self Protection Jammer (ASPJ), Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) and Infrared Search and Track (IRST). Additionally, all F-14 variants were given precision strike capability using the LANTIRN targeting system, night vision compatibility, new defensive countermeasures systems and a new digital flight control system.

General Characteristics

• Function: Carrier-based multi-role strike fighter
• Contractor: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
• Unit Cost: US$38 million
• Propulsion:
  • F-14A: Two Pratt and Whitney TF-30P-414A turbofan engine with afterburners
  • F-14B and F-14D: Two General Electric F110-GE-400 turbofan engines with afterburners
• Thrust:
  • TF-30P-414A: 20,900 pounds (9,405 kg) static thrust per engine
  • F110-GE-400: 27,000 pounds (12,150 kg) static thrust per engine
• Length: 61 feet 9 inches (18.6 meters)
• Height: 16 feet (4.8 meters)
• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 72,900 pounds (32,805 kg)
• Wingspan: 64 feet (19 meters) unswept, 38 feet (11.4 meters) swept
• Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet
• Speed: Mach 2+
• Crew: Two; pilot and radar intercept officer (RIO)
• Armament: Up to 13,000 pounds to include AIM-54 Phoenix missile, AIM-7 Sparrow missile, AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, air-to-ground precision strike ordnance, and one M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon.
• First flight: December 1970

Operators

• United States Navy
• Iranian Air Force (F-14A)