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Line 1: + + + + − + + + + + + + − 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>+
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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 maneuverability. 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 '''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 maneuverability. 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==
In the 1950s, the [[United States Navy|Navy]] was in the market for a high-tech air superiority fighter which could kill Russian "Bear" and "Badger" bombers hundreds of miles away from the carrier, before the Soviet aircraft could fire cruise missiles at the ship. The General Dynamics [[F-111]] program was cancelled by the Navy (it was continued by the Air Force). In 1969, the Navy selected Grumman's prototype. The aircraft was designed to make obsolete, in matters of electronics and armament, every other fighter in the world. The F-14 was equipped to carry up to six [[AIM-54 Phoenix]] missiles with over a hundred-mile range. The radar was sophisticated enough to pick six targets from over 30 planes.
Because of the Tomcat's size, and the view it presented when seen from above, pilots jokingly called the plane the "Flying tennis court".
Because of the Tomcat's size, and the view it presented when seen from above, pilots jokingly called the plane the "Flying tennis court".
The Tomcat had a gift for show business. It's 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.
==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 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 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 was starring: F-14 Tomcat.
Co-starring: Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis.
Co-starring: Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis.
==Retirement==
The Tomcat has been replaced by newer planes in the [[United States]] airforce. 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]] airforce. 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.