F-14 Tomcat
Description:
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a 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.
Features:
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.
Background:
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: $38 million
Propulsion:
F-14A: Two Pratt & 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 static thrust per engine
F110-GE-400: 27,000 pounds 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
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.
Date Deployed: First flight: December 1970
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