The F-14 Tomcat is a very versatile fighter jet that came into use with the United States Navy in 1972. Its variable sweep wings and tail-fins made it easily recognizable. The wings are set at 20 degrees at take off and landing, but change to 68 degrees for supersonic flying.
The F-14 is armed with one General Electric Vulcan M61A-1 20mm gun and can be equipped to carry up to 8 air-to-air missiles (AIM-54 Phoenix, AIM-7 Sparrow, or AIM-9 Sidewinder) or air-to-ground ordinance in any assortment. The Tomcat is capable of engaging six different targets simultaneously. It is a two man fighter with seats for the pilot and radio intercept officer.
F-14 Tomcat in Action
The primary role of the F-14 Tomcat was air superiority and air defense of fleet ships of the US Navy. It was also used for precision strikes against ground targets.
The F-14 saw limited action in the Vietnam War, only participating in one deployment aboard the USS Enterprise from September 17, 1974 to May 20, 1975. The Tomcat flew combat air patrols over Vietnam as part of Operation Frequent Wind, but did not shoot down any enemy aircraft.
The Tomcat has since seen action over Libya, Lebanon and participated in the wars in the Persian Gulf. When terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the F-14 flew missions over Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Several versions of the F-14 were produced with each subsequent version incorporating technological upgrades. The F-14D Super Tomcat entered service in 1991. The F-14D was powered by two General Electric F110-GE-400 turbofan engines with afterburning turbofans and can carry four Joint Direct Attack Munitions or JDAM’s. It was capable of speeds exceeding Mach 2.
Tomcat in Hollywood
The F-14 Tomcat flew into the mainstream media with the release of the 1986 blockbuster film Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise. The F-14 was the primary aircraft used in the film while Cruise and the other stars flew their way in the hearts of the American public.
The F-14 was also featured in the 1980 film The Final Countdown and has appeared in numerous video games, movies and television series.
Retirement of the Tomcat
The last combat mission of the F-14 took place on February 8, 2006 when the USS Theodore Roosevelt recovered a Tomcat for the final time. The F-14 was officially retired from service on September 22, 2006 and was replaced by the F-18 Super Hornet.
Sources:
Air Force Technology Retrieved on 8/17/09.
US Navy Retrieved on 8/17/09.
Matthew Pizzolato - Matthew Pizzolato is a writer of both short stories and articles and has completed two novels, neither of which have been published, but ...
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