The Tomcat was an important jet fighter that served the United States valiantly during pivotal moments of the Cold War.Īdditional information about this Brickmania® custom building kit: By the early 2000s, the Tomcat® was replaced by newer 4th generation fighters. The Tomcat entered official service in 1974 with over 700 being built by 1991. The fighter’s state-of-the-art airborne early-warning aircraft radar meant the Tomcat could engage and destroy multiple targets out to distances of 100 miles from its carrier task force. This included, AIM-54 Phoenix air-to-air missiles, AIM-7 Sparrow radar-guided missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared-guided missiles, an array of air-to-ground weapons (MK-80 series GP bombs), and an internally mounted M61A-1 Vulcan 20mm cannon. The F-14™ could be kitted out with an impressive array of armaments that were mission adaptable. When the wings were swept rearward-to 68 degrees-the fighter could exceed speeds of Mach 2, thanks to its twin, 21,000lbs thrust engines. Its variable-swept wing design helped with short take-offs by generating more lift, as well as navigating close quarters. The Tomcat’s list of primary missions included air superiority, fleet air defense, and precision strike capability against ground targets. The F-14™ was a carrier-capable, supersonic, twin-engine, two-seater, variable-swept wing fighter. Of those, Grumman’s aircraft was accepted. The following year, five design proposals were submitted. The Fighter Experimental (VFX) proposal was accepted by the Navy in 1968. The requirements were strung together by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp in November of 1967. To counter this new threat, the Navy needed to upgrade its fleet carrier aircraft. The Vietnam-era F-4 Phantoms were considered outdated and had difficulty pacing the new Soviet weapons. Before flying into fame, the Tomcat first had to pass the United States Navy’s strict set of requirements.īy the late 1960s, the Soviet Union and its satellite nations had built up an arsenal of long-range bombers and fighters along with advanced surface-to-air missile defense systems. However, its actual history is much more nuanced. Flying through some of the most dangerous conflict zones on the big screen as well as the small screen, the Tomcat eschews 1980s Americana-Aviator glasses, leather jackets, and big hair. Its rise in fame and favor is in part due to its inclusion in some of Hollywood’s most iconic movies. About the F-14D Tomcat™ – Supersonic Fighter Aircraft:įew aircraft rival the popularity and recognition of the iconic Grumman F-14 Tomcat™.
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