/3
The failure of the General Dynamics F-111B to meet U.S. Navy requirements for an advanced carrier-based air-superiority fighter led to a new design contest, which was won by Grumman with its variable-geometry, two-seat, twin-engine aircraft. Designated the F-14 and named Tomcat, first flight occurred in December 1970. Deliveries to the Navy began in June 1972, with the initial deployment of operational carrier squadrons in 1974. A total of 712 Tomcats were produced during 1969-1991.
The F-14, with its AIM-54 Phoenix air-to-air missiles, coupled with airborne early-warning aircraft radar, was able to simultaneously intercept, engage and destroy up to six incoming enemy aircraft out to distances of one hundred miles from a carrier task force. The Tomcat could also carry AIM-7 Sparrow radar-guided missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared-guided missiles, and mounted a 20-mm M61A-1 cannon internally. The F-14 was later used in the ground-attack role as well. One version was exported to Iran during 1975-1978.
The ability to sweep its wings inflight to 68 degrees, coupled with twin 21,000-pound-thrust engines, enabled the F-14 to achieve speeds in excess of twice the speed of sound. Reduction of force requirements and concurrent cuts in defense spending necessitated the gradual replacement of the F-14s by F/A-18s by 2006.
The Museum's F-14 was manufactured at the Grumman plant in Bethpage, New York and delivered to the Navy in 1977. Its service history includes assignments with VF-84 ("Jolly Rogers"), VF-101, VF-41, VF-74, VF-11, and VF-51. It closed out its flying career at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) in Nevada. At its retirement in November 2001, the Tomcat had accumulated 4,958 flight hours and 1,188 carrier catapult shots.
This aircraft is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, Florida.
The failure of the General Dynamics F-111B to meet U.S. Navy requirements for an advanced carrier-based air-superiority fighter led to a new design contest, which was won by Grumman with its variable-geometry, two-seat, twin-engine aircraft. Designated the F-14 and named Tomcat, first flight occurred in December 1970. Deliveries to the Navy began in June 1972, with the initial deployment of operational carrier squadrons in 1974. A total of 712 Tomcats were produced during 1969-1991.
The F-14, with its AIM-54 Phoenix air-to-air missiles, coupled with airborne early-warning aircraft radar, was able to simultaneously intercept, engage and destroy up to six incoming enemy aircraft out to distances of one hundred miles from a carrier task force. The Tomcat could also carry AIM-7 Sparrow radar-guided missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared-guided missiles, and mounted a 20-mm M61A-1 cannon internally. The F-14 was later used in the ground-attack role as well. One version was exported to Iran during 1975-1978.
The ability to sweep its wings inflight to 68 degrees, coupled with twin 21,000-pound-thrust engines, enabled the F-14 to achieve speeds in excess of twice the speed of sound. Reduction of force requirements and concurrent cuts in defense spending necessitated the gradual replacement of the F-14s by F/A-18s by 2006.
The Museum's F-14 was manufactured at the Grumman plant in Bethpage, New York and delivered to the Navy in 1977. Its service history includes assignments with VF-84 ("Jolly Rogers"), VF-101, VF-41, VF-74, VF-11, and VF-51. It closed out its flying career at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) in Nevada. At its retirement in November 2001, the Tomcat had accumulated 4,958 flight hours and 1,188 carrier catapult shots.
This aircraft is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, Florida.
