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[[Image:DesertStormF14ATomcatburningtarget.JPG|250px||thumb|A Tomcat fies over a burning Iraqi oil complex during [[Desert Storm]].]]
[[Image:DesertStormF14ATomcatburningtarget.JPG|250px||thumb|A Tomcat fies over a burning Iraqi oil complex during [[Desert Storm]].]]
The '''F-14 Tomcat''' is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-seat fighter designed to attack and destroy enemy aircraft at night or day, and in all weather conditions. Carrier-based, the Tomcat has variable geometry wings for easy storage and increased speed or manoeuvrability. Until its retirement in 2006, it was the primary air-superiority fighter for the [[U.S. Navy]]. It was the only airplane that could operate the long-range Phoenix air-to-air missile. In addition, it could carry [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] and [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] missiles, and carried an internal Vulcan 20mm cannon.
The '''Grumman F-14 Tomcat''' is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-seat fighter designed to attack and destroy enemy aircraft at night or day, and in all weather conditions. Carrier-based, the Tomcat has variable geometry wings for easy storage and increased speed or manoeuvrability. Until its retirement in 2006, it was the primary air-superiority fighter for the [[U.S. Navy]]. It was the only airplane that could operate the long-range Phoenix air-to-air missile. In addition, it could carry [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] and [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] missiles, and carried an internal Vulcan 20mm cannon.
==Design==
==Design==
==Service==
==Service==
The F-14 began replacing the [[F-4]] Phantom II in U.S. naval service in September of 1974.<ref>''Fighter'', by Jim Winchester, 2006</ref> It first saw combat over the Gulf of Sidra, off the coast of [[Libya]], in August of 1981. 2 Tomcats shot down 2 Libyan Su-22 Fitters after one of the Fitters had fired a missile at them.<ref>''Historical Atlas of the U.S. Navy'', by Craig L. Symonds, 1995</ref> In January of 1989, F-14s again saw action against Libyan planes, this time 2 F-14s shot down 2 Mig-23 Floggers over the Gulf of Sidra.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956731-2,00.html Article in Time Magazine]</ref>
The F-14 began replacing the [[F-4 Phantom]] II in U.S. naval service in September 1974.<ref>''Fighter'', by Jim Winchester, 2006</ref> It first saw combat over the [[Gulf of Sidra]], off the coast of [[Libya]], in August 1981. Two Tomcats shot down two Libyan [[Sukhoi Su-22|Su-22 Fitters]] after one of the Fitters had fired a missile at them.<ref>''Historical Atlas of the U.S. Navy'', by Craig L. Symonds, 1995</ref> In January 1989, F-14s again saw action against Libyan planes, this time two F-14s downed two [[MiG-23]] Floggers off [[Tobruk]].<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956731-2,00.html Article in Time Magazine]</ref>
F-14s were also active over the [[Persian Gulf]] when the US was escorting oil tankers in [[Operation Earnest Will]]. On August 8, 1987, an [[Iran]]ian F-4 Phantom, a type which had been involved in strikes on shipping before, get a little close and two F-14s from the USS ''Constellation'' fired two Sparrow missiles. One missile malfunctioned, and the Phantom crew evaded the other and escaped.<ref>''Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat'', by Farzad Bishop and Tom Cooper, Osprey Publishing, 2003</ref>
During the [[Gulf War]], F-14s were mainly involved in standing combat air patrols over the fleet and escorting strike packages. One Tomcat was shot down by an Iraqi [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]], the RIO being captured, but the pilot was rescued. On February 6, 1991, a Navy pilot off the USS ''Ranger'' scored the F-14's final air-to-air victory ever in this conflict, an Mi-8 helicopter.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-14-combat.htm F-14 Tomcat Combat]</ref> Coincidentally, the F-14's very first air-to-air victory was also an Iraqi helicopter, shot down by an Iranian Tomcat in the first days of the [[Iran-Iraq War]].
[[Image:F-14 Phoenix.jpg|thumb|300 px|right|An F-14 shows off six Phoenix missiles.]]
[[Image:F-14 Phoenix.jpg|thumb|300 px|right|An F-14 shows off six Phoenix missiles.]]
==The Tomcat in popular culture==
==The Tomcat in popular culture==
The Tomcat had a gift for show business. Its first movie appearance was in ''[[The Final Countdown]]'' in 1980, where the USS ''Nimitz'' goes back in time to December 7, 1941. However, ''[[Top Gun]]'' made the Tomcat a star.
The Tomcat had a gift for show business. Its first movie appearance was in ''[[The Final Countdown]]'' in 1980, where the [[USS Nimitz|USS ''Nimitz'']] goes back in time to December 7, 1941. However, ''[[Top Gun]]'' made the Tomcat a star.
The movie ''Top Gun'' was supposed to star [[Tom Cruise]] and [[Kelly McGillis]]. The way it worked out, though, it was starring: F-14 Tomcat.
The movie ''Top Gun'' was supposed to star [[Tom Cruise]] and [[Kelly McGillis]]. The way it worked out, though, it had the F-14 as the star, and relegated Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis to supporting roles.
The F-14 performed equally well on the small screen, frequently guest-starring on the TV series, [[JAG (TV series)|JAG]].
The F-14 performed equally well on the small screen, frequently guest-starring on the TV series [[JAG (TV series)|''JAG'']] and playing a supporting role on the [[anime]] series ''[[Area 88]].''
==Retirement==
==Retirement==
The Tomcat has been replaced by newer planes in the [[United States]] Air Force. In order to prevent spare parts reaching terrorists ([[Iran]] uses those planes based on purchases of 80 Tomcats and 633 [[AIM-54 Phoenix]] missiles they made under the [[Shah]]), the United States government is having the planes destroyed.
The Tomcat has been replaced by newer planes in the [[United States]] Navy. In order to prevent spare parts reaching the Iranian Air Force ([[Iran]] uses those planes based on purchases of 80 Tomcats and 633 [[AIM-54 Phoenix]] missiles they made under the [[Shah]]), the United States government is having the planes destroyed.
Type: Two-seat carrier-borne fighter
Type: Two-seat carrier-borne fighter
Powerplant: Two 20,900 lb. thrust Pratt & Whitney afterburning turbojets
Powerplant: Two 20,900 lb. thrust [[Pratt & Whitney]] afterburning turbojets
Performance: Mach 2.34 (1564 mph) at altitude
Performance: Mach 2.34 (1564 mph) at altitude
Weight: (empty) 39,310 lbs. (normal take-off) 58,539 lbs.
Weight: (empty) 39,310 lbs. (normal take-off) 58,539 lbs.
Dimensions: Wingspan(unswept) 64 ft. (Swept) 38 ft. Length- 61 ft. Height- 16 ft.
Dimensions: Wingspan(unswept) 64 ft. (Swept) 38 ft. Length- 61 ft. Height- 16 ft.
Armament: 1 General Electric M61A-1 20 millimeter multi barrel Vulcan cannon with 675 rounds, and either
Armament: 1 General Electric M61A-1 20 millimeter multi barrel Vulcan cannon with 675 rounds, and either
6 Hughes [[AIM-54 Phoenix ]] missiles
6 Hughes [[AIM-54 Phoenix]] missiles
4 Hughes [[AIM-54 Phoenix]] missiles and 2 [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] missiles or 2 [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] missiles
4 Hughes [[AIM-54 Phoenix]] missiles and 2 [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] missiles or 2 [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] missiles
<references/>
<references/>
[[Category: Aircraft]]
[[Category:Military Aircraft]]
[[Category:United States Navy]]
[[Category:United States Navy Aircraft]]