Function: 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.







History: 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.







Description: 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.



Marine Prowlers may be land-based from prepared airfields, or they can operate from expeditionary airfields (EAF). They may also be sea-based, operating from aircraft carriers. Marine Prowlers are unique in their integration with the Tactical Electronic Processing and Evaluation System (TERPES). TERPES provides post-mission analysis of EA-6B ES data for reporting and updating orders of battle. It also provides post-mission analysis of jamming and HARM employment for reporting, assessing and storing mission data.







?General Characteristics, F-14 Tomcat





Contractor:

Grumman Aerospace Corporation







Unit Cost:

$38 million







Power Plant:

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 (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)













Wingspan:

64 feet (19 meters) unswept

38 feet (11.4 meters) swept)







Maximum Take-off Weight:

72,900 pounds (32,805 kilograms)







Speed:

Mach 2+







Ceiling:

Above 50,000 feet







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