F-14A Tomcat

F-14A Tomcat. . , The F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-place strike fighter manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Corporation. The multiple tasks of navigation, target acquisition, electronic counter measures, and weapons employment are divided between the pilot and the radar intercept officer. Primary missions include precision strike against ground targets, air superiority, and fleet air defense. The Tomcat was retired from service in 2006., As a strike fighter, the Tomcat is capable of deploying an assortment of air-to-ground ordnance (Mk-80 series GP bombs, LGBs and JDAM) in various configurations, while simultaneously carrying the AIM-7, AIM-9 and AIM-54 air-to-air missiles. The F-14 also had the LANTIRN targeting system that allows delivery of various laser-guided bombs for precision strikes in air-to-ground combat missions and for battle damage assessment. With its Fast Tactical Imagery system the F-14 can transmit and receive targeting/reconnaissance imagery in flight to provide time-sensitive strike capability. A number of F-14s also carried the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System, which provided in-theater tactical reconnaissance., This aircraft came up the James River in 1995 on a barge from Norfolk. It had previously flown of the deck of the USS Eisenhower, and had the black markings of a special operations aircraft., The F-14 was officially retired September 22, 2006 at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.,

General Characteristics , Contractor: Northrop Grumman. , Date deployed: First flight, December 1970. , Propulsion: F-14A: (2) TF30-414A afterburning turbofans with over 40,000 pounds total thrust; F-14B/D: (2) F110-GE400 afterburning turbofans with over 54,000 pounds total thrust. , Length: 62 feet 9 inches. , Height: 16 feet. , Wingspan: 64 feet unswept; 38 feet swept. , Weight: 43,600 pounds (F-14B). , Airspeed: Mach 2+. , Ceiling: 50,000+ feet. , Range: 1,600 nautical miles , Crew: Two (pilot and radar intercept officer).