Terrific Tomcat F-14 Page:
Anytime Baby! Dec. 2011
Anytime Baby! Dec. 2011
The F-14 Tomcat was designed as a
replacement for the ill fated General
Dynamics F-111B. The TFX program
initiated by Robert McNamara in the
mid 1960s proved to be a total failure
for the Navy participant. Even though
the F-111A/D/E/F series proved to be
a very stable platform for the USAF,
the F-111B was a dismal failure.
Luckily Grumman Aircraft had a
successor waiting in the background.
The F-14 would go on to be the Navy's
top fighter/interceptor for the next 30+
years.
With a starring role in the movie Top
Gun the Tomcat would achieve world
wide fame in 1986. Even before Top
Gun the F-14 proved itself in the
Persian Gulf. Libya decided to try and
install a no-fly zone in international
waters in the Gulf of Sidra. That was a
mistake. Patroling F-14s made them
pay twice for this bad choice, by
shooting down two Libyan Su-22s in
1981 and then splashing two MiG-23
Floggers in 1989.
Originally designed as a fleet defense
fighter the F-14 was capable of
dogfighting and interceptor roles.
Weapons loads consisted of AIM-9
Sidewinders, AIM-7 Sparrows, AIM-54
Phoenix missles and finally a M61-A1
cannon. A very lethal counter air
weapons combination.
During Operation Allied Force in the
Balkans and Operation Enduring
Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan the
Tomcat took on a new role. The A-6
Intruder and A-7 Corsair had both
been retired from service. The Navy
needed a close air support platform to
replace them. The F/A-18 Hornet
couldn't carry the desired payload and
didn't have enough range. The F-14A+
and F-14D were the logical choice.
With their new improved fire control
systems and updated radars bomb
delivery became much more accurate.
Also the installation of the new G.E.
F110 engines provided much better
thrust and response time. The old
Pratt and Whitney TF-30 powerplants
were underpowered and still having
problems. With the new bomb delivery
systems and improved engines the
"Bombcat" was born. The F-14s would
excel in this role until their retirement in
2006. The F-14 Tomcat is definitely a
Great Aircraft. Copyright 2011 Enjoy
the Photos.
replacement for the ill fated General
Dynamics F-111B. The TFX program
initiated by Robert McNamara in the
mid 1960s proved to be a total failure
for the Navy participant. Even though
the F-111A/D/E/F series proved to be
a very stable platform for the USAF,
the F-111B was a dismal failure.
Luckily Grumman Aircraft had a
successor waiting in the background.
The F-14 would go on to be the Navy's
top fighter/interceptor for the next 30+
years.
With a starring role in the movie Top
Gun the Tomcat would achieve world
wide fame in 1986. Even before Top
Gun the F-14 proved itself in the
Persian Gulf. Libya decided to try and
install a no-fly zone in international
waters in the Gulf of Sidra. That was a
mistake. Patroling F-14s made them
pay twice for this bad choice, by
shooting down two Libyan Su-22s in
1981 and then splashing two MiG-23
Floggers in 1989.
Originally designed as a fleet defense
fighter the F-14 was capable of
dogfighting and interceptor roles.
Weapons loads consisted of AIM-9
Sidewinders, AIM-7 Sparrows, AIM-54
Phoenix missles and finally a M61-A1
cannon. A very lethal counter air
weapons combination.
During Operation Allied Force in the
Balkans and Operation Enduring
Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan the
Tomcat took on a new role. The A-6
Intruder and A-7 Corsair had both
been retired from service. The Navy
needed a close air support platform to
replace them. The F/A-18 Hornet
couldn't carry the desired payload and
didn't have enough range. The F-14A+
and F-14D were the logical choice.
With their new improved fire control
systems and updated radars bomb
delivery became much more accurate.
Also the installation of the new G.E.
F110 engines provided much better
thrust and response time. The old
Pratt and Whitney TF-30 powerplants
were underpowered and still having
problems. With the new bomb delivery
systems and improved engines the
"Bombcat" was born. The F-14s would
excel in this role until their retirement in
2006. The F-14 Tomcat is definitely a
Great Aircraft. Copyright 2011 Enjoy
the Photos.
