Grumman F-14 Tomcat
Data for A, B, & D variants
Photo from the 'Fighter Planes'
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a truly awesome fighting machine (as we all remember from the movie TOP GUN). Its AIM-54 Phoenix missile system and AWG-9 radar can simultaneously track 24 targets, while engaging six with Phoenixes. The Phoenix missile costs about a million bucks a pop. But, it's worth it. The Phoenix can deliver a 60 kg (132 lb) warhead to target a 209 km (130 miles) away at speeds of up to mach 3.8. The AIM-54C is the latest version of the Phoenix it incorporates digital technology with an improved target detector and better ECCM capability. Aside from the Phoenix the Tomcat can also carry AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM AAM's. Despite its immense size the Tomcat's variable geometry wings give it the capability to land and take off from American aircraft carriers. In fact the Tomcat can take off in less than 300 m (1 000 feet) and land in less than 600 m (2 000 feet). Each American carrier normally operates two twelve plane squadrons of F-14's. The only country to operate the Tomcat outside of the US is Iran. Before the Iranian revolution the Iranian air force acquired 80 F-14As. It is estimated few of the Iranian examples remain airworthy, and if they do they would most likely be used as airborne control platforms because of their sophisticated radars. In the United States the powerplant on the F-14A was found to be insufficient, however, owing to budget constraints the F-14A+ (or F-14B as it became known) did not fly until 1986. The F-14D was first delivered to the Navy in March of 1990. The D not only incorporated the improved powerplant of the B, but used upgraded avionics and a new fire control radar. The Tomcat is to serve as the Navy's fleet defence fighter into early next century. Increasingly the Tomcat is being supported in its primary mission by the F/A-18 Hornet. However, the Hornet cannot carry the Phoenix missile and lacks the range and speed of the Tomcat.
Specifications
(Data for F-14A)
Origin: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
Type: Carrier-based multi-role strike fighter
Crew: Pilot, Radar Intercept Officer
Powerplant: Two Pratt & Whitney TF-30P-414A afterburning turbofans each delivering 9 405 kg (20 900 lbs) of thrust
Dimensions
Span: (Fully Swept) 11.4 m (38') (Unswept) 19 m (64')
Height: 4.8m (16')
Length: 18.6 m (61' 9")
Weight: (Maximum) 33 718 kg (74 349 lbs)
Performance
Maximum Speed: 2 486 kph (1 544 mph)
Cruising Speed: 982 kph (610 mph)
Climb Rate: 9 905.52 m (32 500 feet) /min
Range: On intercept 3 200 km (2 000 miles)
Service Ceiling: 16 763 m (55 000 feet)
Armament
One M61A1 20 mm multi-barrell cannon & up to 5 850 kg (13 000 lbs) of AMMs (AIM-54 Pheonix, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder) and/or air-to-ground munitions
First Flight: December 21, 1970
User(s): USN, Iran
Production:
Unit Cost: 38 million $US
Specifications
(Data for F-14B, D)
Origin: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
Type: Carrier-based air superiority fighter
Crew: Pilot, Radar Intercept Officer
Powerplant: Two General Electric F-110-GE-400 augmented afterburning turbofans each delivering 12 150 kg (27 000 lbs) of thrust
Dimensions
Span: (Fully Swept) 11.4 m (38') (Unswept) 19 m (64')
Height: 4.8m (16')
Length: 18.6 m (61' 9")
Weight: (Maximum) 33 718 kg (74 349 lbs)
Performance
Maximum Speed: 2 486 kph (1 544 mph)
Cruising Speed: 982 kph (610 mph)
Climb Rate: 9 905.52 m (32 500 feet) /min
Range: Intercept mission 3 200 km (2 000 miles)
Service Ceiling: 16 763 m (55 000 feet)
Armament
One M61A1 20 mm multi-barrell cannon & upto 5 850 kg (13 000 lbs) of AMMs (AIM-54 Pheonix, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder) and/or air-to-ground munitions.
First Flight: (B) September, 1986 (D delivered to USN) March, 1990
User(s): USN
Production:
Unit Cost:
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