Lexington Park in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Grumman NF-14D Tomcat
The Ultimate Cat The Tomcat was designed with "variable geometry" wings that extended straight out from the fuselage for takeoffs and landings, but swept back at a 68°-degree angle for high-speed flight. Originally a fighter/interceptor for Carrier Battle Group defense, the F-14A could simultaneously attack six targets at long range using its powerful radar and Phoenix six targets at long range using its powerful radar and Phoenix missile system. Beginning in the 1980s, much of the Tomcat fleet received new avionics and new engines that dramatically improved aircraft performance. The new F-14B and F-14D versions received enhanced air-to-air capabilities, along with the ability to locate and attack surface targets with precision weapons. The Tomcat's surface strike capability was used very effectively in Operation Enduring Freedom following the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks of 9/11, 2001.
Our Display Aircraft Like all Tomcats, Bureau Number 161623 was manufactured as an F-14A. With the addition of mission system and engine upgrades, it was converted to the F-14D configuration. The "N" designation indicates it was permanently assigned to testing activities. PRNAM's was the last of four F-14D development/test aircraft to fly, the first of which flew in September of 1988. In its test career, our Tomcat was used by the Grumman Aircraft Company and the Naval Air Test Center (later the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division) for various avionics (airborne electronic systems) tests.
Primary Mission: Fighter/Attack
Crew: One Pilot, one Radar Intercept Officer (RIO)
U.S. Service Timeline (F-14 Series): 1972 - 2006
Max. Gross Weight: 76,000 lb
Dimensions: 628 length, 64.1 ft wing span (extended)
Propulsion: Two General Electric GE F110-GE-400 turbofan engines
Max. Operating Speed: 920 MPH (sea level); Mach 2.0 at altitude
Armament: One M61A1 20mm cannon; up to 14,500 lb of air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface weapons
Erected by Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • War, 2nd Iraq. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1988.
Location. 38° 16.542′
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet (a few steps from this marker); Mk-82 500-lb Snakeye Bomb (a few steps from this marker); McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II (a few steps from this marker); North American T-39D Sabreliner (a few steps from this marker); North American RA-5C Vigilante (a few steps from this marker); Grumman E-2B Hawkeye (a few steps from this marker); AIM-9H Sidewinder Missile (a few steps from this marker); The F9F-8B Cougar (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 423 times since then and 241 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.