Changes

==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.  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 of 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>

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>

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]].

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]].

==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&nbsp;lb. thrust [[Pratt & Whitney]] afterburning turbojets

Performance: Mach 2.34 (1564 mph) at altitude

Performance: Mach 2.34 (1564&nbsp;mph) at altitude

Weight: (empty) 39,310 lbs. (normal take-off) 58,539 lbs.  

Weight: (empty) 39,310&nbsp;lbs. (normal take-off) 58,539&nbsp;lbs.  

Dimensions: Wingspan(unswept) 64 ft. (Swept) 38 ft. Length- 61 ft. Height- 16 ft.

Dimensions: Wingspan(unswept) 64&nbsp;ft. (Swept) 38&nbsp;ft. Length- 61&nbsp;ft. Height- 16&nbsp;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

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[[Category: Military Aircraft]]

[[Category:Military Aircraft]]

[[Category:United States Navy aircraft]]

[[Category:United States Navy Aircraft]]