Fighter Aircraft
Grumman F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep-wing carrier fighter built by Grumman in the United States, in US Navy service from 1974 to 2006. Its AN/AWG-9 radar and AIM-54 Phoenix missile made it the Navy’s long-range fleet defence interceptor, and Iran remains the only operator today.
United States|GrummanWhat Is the Grumman F-14 Tomcat? Overview, History and Development
Grumman designed the F-14 to replace the F-4 Phantom II after the Navy’s F-111B was cancelled. The prototype first flew on 21 December 1970, and VF-1 and VF-2 took it into service in 1974. Its swing wings gave it fast dash speed up to Mach 2.34 and good carrier handling. The AN/AWG-9 radar could track 24 targets and engage six at once with AIM-54 Phoenix missiles, alongside AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder and a 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon.
A total of 712 Tomcats were built. The F-14B (1987) and F-14D (1990) replaced the underpowered TF30 engines with General Electric F110-GE-400 engines. The US Navy retired the type on 22 September 2006, citing maintenance cost per flight hour and the arrival of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Iran received 79 F-14As before the 1979 revolution and still flies them. Flyable numbers are uncertain, with open-source estimates of roughly 20 to 40.
Grumman F-14 Tomcat Specifications: Speed, Range, Engines and Armament
Grumman F-14 Tomcat Variants and Versions Compared
The F-14A was the original production model, powered by two Pratt & Whitney TF30 engines and still the version flown by Iran.
The F-14B, introduced in 1987, replaced the TF30 with General Electric F110-GE-400 engines for much better thrust and reliability.
The F-14D, introduced in 1990, combined the F110 engines with a digital radar and upgraded avionics and was the last Tomcat variant built.
Which Countries Use the Grumman F-14 Tomcat? Operators and Users
IranGrumman F-14 Tomcat FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How fast is the F-14 Tomcat?
The F-14 Tomcat has a top speed of about Mach 2.34, roughly 2,485 km/h at altitude. Its variable-sweep wings let it combine this high dash speed with slow, controllable carrier approaches.
Does Iran still fly the F-14?
Yes, Iran is the only country still operating the F-14 Tomcat. Iran received 79 F-14As before 1979, and open-source assessments suggest roughly 20 to 40 remain flyable, though the exact number is an estimate.
How much did an F-14 cost?
An F-14D cost about US$38 million in then-year dollars in the late 1980s, according to US Navy figures, which is an estimate. Adjusted for inflation, that would be considerably higher today.
Why did the US Navy retire the F-14?
The US Navy retired the F-14 Tomcat in 2006 mainly because of its high maintenance cost per flight hour and the shift to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The last cruise ended in September 2006.
F-14 vs F-15: which is better?
The F-14 Tomcat was a carrier-based interceptor built around long-range missile defence, while the F-15 Eagle is a land-based air superiority fighter. The F-15 is faster in a climb and more agile, and the F-14 carried the longer-range Phoenix missile.
Is the F-14 Tomcat a stealth aircraft?
No, the F-14 Tomcat is not a stealth aircraft. It is a fourth-generation fighter of 1970s design with a large radar signature, and it relied on its AN/AWG-9 radar and long-range missiles rather than low observability.