F-14 Tomcat

Grumman F-14 Tomcat

Program

• Type Two-seat main carrier-based fighter for fleet defense and attack.
• Equipment Type Aerospace craft
• Government U.N.
• Manufacturer Grumman
• Customers US Navy, UNS

First flight of development aircraft 1970 December 21. Total number produced: 575. Service life extended with upgrades implementing Overtechnology in avionics and other areas.

Variants

F-14A+2 (also F-14A+(Plus)Kai): Improved upgrade version deployed as a main fighter in the U.N. Forces.

Design Features

Variable geometry (swing) wings.

Power Plant

• (F-14A, before F-14A+2 modification): Two P&W TF30-P-414 rated at 4763 kg [x g] dry and 9480 kg [x g] with afterburning.
• (F-14D, before F-14A+2 modification): Two GE F110-GE-400 turbofans rated at 6350 kg [x g] dry.

Accommodation

Pilot and radar intercept officer (RIO) seated in tandem.

Avionics

Flare dispensers.

Armament

• (F-14A+2)Gun. Hard points for six AIM-54A Phoenix active radar homing missiles (maximum range of approximately 185 km), AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing missile series, or other armament. Maximum ordnance of 6577 kg (F-14D, before F-14A+2 modification).

Dimensions, External

• (F-14A/D, before F-14A+2 modification)
  • Wing span: unswept 19.54 m swept 11.65 m
  • Length overall: 18.90 m/19.1 m
  • Height overall: 4.88 m
  • Wing area: unswept 52.5 m2

Masses and Loadings

• (F-14A/D, before F-14A+2 modification)
  • Mass empty: 18951 kg
  • Max T-O mass: 24950 kg/33724 kg

Performance

• (F-14A/D, before F-14A+2 modification):
  • Max speed: at 12200 m Mach 2.34
  • Ceiling: 16150 m
  • Cruising range: 3213 km

Appendices

Appearances

• Debut: Macross Zero Vol. 1
• Designation inspiration: Grumman F-14A(Plus) Tomcat, Mitsubishi F-4EJKai Phantom II

Note: The F-14A(Plus), F-14A++, and F-14A/B+ were proposed modifications to the original F-14A design. The F-14A(Plus) variant eventually became known as the F-14B in 1991. Kai is a Japanese engineering suffix for an modified design (e.g. Mitsubishi F-4EJKai Phantom II) or a customized design (e.g. Shinsei Industry VF-19 Custom of Macross 7). In real life, Grumman was acquired by Northrop in 1994 to form the Northrop Grumman Corporation.