F-14 Tomcat
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| F-14 Tomcat | ||
|---|---|---|
Sailors prepare an F-14 Tomcat for flight on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (year 2003). | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Fleet Defense Interceptor | |
| Crew | 2, Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 62 ft 8 in | 19.1 m |
| Wingspan | 64 ft 1 in (extended) 38 ft 2 in (swept) | 19.54 m 11.65 m |
| Height | 16 ft | 4.9 m |
| Wing area | 565 ft² | 54.5 m² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 39,762 lb | 18,036 kg |
| Loaded (w/4 AIM-54s and two drop tanks) | 68,649 lb | 31,139 kg |
| Maximum take-off | 74,438 lb | 33,724 kg |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | 2 General Electric F110-400 turbofans | |
| Power | 20,900 lb each | 9,480 kg each |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 1,544 mph (Mach 2.34) | 2,485 km/h |
| Combat range | 576 mi | 927 km |
| Ferry range | 2,000 mi | 3,220 km |
| Service ceiling | > 56,000 ft | > 17,070 m |
| Rate of climb | ||
| Armament | ||
| Guns | M61A1 20mm Vulcan multibarrel cannon | |
| Missile Configurations | 6 AIM-54s + 2 AIM-9s 6 AIM-7s + 2 AIM-9s 2 AIM-54s + 3 AIM-7s + 2 AIM-9s 4 AIM-54s + 2 AIM-7s + 2 AIM-9s | |
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.
The F-14 is currently scheduled to be retired from the US Navy arsenal in the year 2010. It is to be replaced by the McDonnel Douglas F/A-18 Super Hornet.
The F-14 is named for late Vice Admiral Thomas Connolly, whose testimony before the Senate was critical in the cancellation of the deeply-flawed F-111B Naval interceptor.
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. Upgraded with F110 engines to F-14B standard.
- F-14B and F-14D: Two General Electric F110-GE-400 turbofan engines with afterburners
- Thrust:
- TF-30P-414A: 20,900 pounds (93 kN) static thrust per engine
- F110-GE-400: 27,000 pounds (120 kN) static thrust per engine
- Length: 61 feet 9 inches (18.6 m)
- Height: 16 feet (4.8 m)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 72,900 pounds (32,805 kg)
- Wingspan: 64 feet (19 meters) unswept, 38 feet (11.4 m) swept
- Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet (15,000 m)
- Speed: Mach 2+
- Crew: Two; pilot and radar intercept officer (RIO)
- Armament: Up to 13,000 pounds (5,900 kg) 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)
| Related content | |
|---|---|
| Related Development | |
| Similar Aircraft | |
| Designation Series | F-10 - F-11 - YF-12 - F-14 - F-15 - F-16 - F-17 |
| Related Lists | List of military aircraft of the United States - List of fighter aircraft |
| List of Aircraft - Aircraft Manufacturers - Aircraft Engines - Aircraft Engine Manufacturers |
| Airlines - Air Forces - Aircraft Weapons - Missiles - Years in Aviation |