F-14 Tomcat

The F14 Tomcat was a supersonic, variable swept wing aircraft designed to replace (beginning in 1972) the F-4 Phantom II as the US Navy's primary fighter/ interceptor. With its advanced weapons systems, the Tomcat could simultaneously track up to 24 targets. Tomcats armed with Phoenix (long range) air-to-air missles could destroy an enemy aircraft 100 miles (161 kilometers) away. In the mid 1990s, some Tomcats were modified to supplement the strike role. Known as "Bombcats", these aircraft could deliever "smart" bombs and other advanced air-to-ground ordnance. The last Tomcats were retired from the Navy in September 2006 (replaced by the F/A- 18E/F Super Hornet). <br><br> Manufacturer : Gruman(later Northrop Gruman)<br> Type: long range carrier-based fighter/ interceptor<br> Crew : pilot and radar intercept officer <br> Powerplant: two 29,000 lb (13,154 kg) static thrust Pratt & Whitney TF30 turbofans with afterburner <br> Wingspan: 64 ft 1 in (19.54 m) spread; 38 ft 2 in (11.65 m) swept<br> Length: 62 ft 8 in (19.10 m)<br> Height: 16 ft (4.88 m)<br> Weight: 40,104 lbs (18,191 kg) empty; 74,350 lbs (33,725 kg) maximum<br> Armament: one 20mm Vulcan multi-barrel cannons, six Phoenix (long range) plus two Sidewinder (short range), or six Sparrow (mediun range) plus four Sidewinder (short range), air-to-air missles, or up to 13,000 lbs ( 5,897 kg) ordnance<br> Maximum speed: 1,500 mph (24,14 km/h)<br> Combat radius: 575 miles (925 kilometers)<br> Service ceiling: 56,000 ft (17,070 m)<br><br> This aircraft on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, Florida