Grumman
F-14
Tomcat
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Photo: Robert Deering 10/23/2006
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Chantilly, Virginia
 
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San Diego, California
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USS Lexington Museum (CV-16)
Corpus Christi, Texas
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Description
The F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-place strike fighter manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Corporation. The multiple tasks of navigation, target acquisition, electronic counter measures (ECM), and weapons employment are divided between the pilot and the radar intercept officer (RIO). Primary missions include precision strike against ground targets, air superiority, and fleet air defense.

Features
As a Strike Fighter, the Tomcat is capable of deploying an assortment of air-to-ground ordnance (MK-80 series GP bombs, LGBs and JDAM) in various configurations, while simultaneously carrying the AIM-7, AIM-9 and AIM-54 air-to-air missiles. 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 and for battle damage assessment. With its Fast Tactical Imagery (FTI) system the F-14 can transmit and receive targeting/reconnaissance imagery in-flight to provide time sensitive strike capability. A number of F-14s also carry the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) providing in-theater tactical reconnaissance.

Background
The F-14 has completed its decommissioning from the U.S. Navy. It was slated to remain in service through at least 2008, but all F-14A and F-14B airframes have already been retired, and the last two squadrons, the VF-31 Tomcatters and the VF-213 Black Lions, both flying the "D" models, arrived for their last fly-in at Naval Air Station Oceana on March 10, 2006. The F-14 Tomcat was officially retired on September 22, 2006 at Naval Air Station Oceana.
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span:  64 feet (19 meters) unswept; 38 feet (11.4 meters) swept. Maximum speed:  Mach 2+.
Length:  62 feet 9 inches (18.9 meters). Cruising speed: 
Height:  16 feet (4.8 meters). Range:  1600 nautical miles.
Empty Weight:  43,600 lb (19,777 kg) (F-14B). Service ceiling:  50,000+ feet.
Gross Weight:   
Crew:  Two (pilot and radar intercept officer).
Engines:  F-14A: (2) TF30-414A Afterburning Turbofans with over 40,000 lb Total Thrust; F-14B/D: (2) F110-GE400 Afterburning Turbofans with over 54,000 lb Total Thrust.
Armament:  Capable of a wide varity of weapons - see text above.
   
SOURCE:  U. S. Navy Fact File