f14 F-14 Tomcat: History, Performance & Discussion

[spacenavy90 1,402]

F-14 Tomcat

Grumman

 

 

*Work in progress*

 

The other F-14A thread is only focused on the current F-14A version in-game without any information about the other future variants. That is why I decided to make this thread.

 

 

 

History:

 

*Work in progress*

 

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Model 303-C

 

Grumman Model 303-B mockup, take note of the singular vertical stabilizer.

 

 

 

F-111B

The F-111B was the Navy's planned interceptor variant of the Air Force F-111 Aardvark, meant to replace the Navy F-4 Phantoms. However the F-111B was decided against due to development issues and concerns about its lack of dogfighting capabilities. It shared the eventual Tomcat's AWG-9 radar, TF30 engines, AIM-54 missiles, and sweep-wing design.

 

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YF-14A Prototype

F-14A #157980 first flight took place on December 21, 1970.

 

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F-14A

Initial variant, plagued with problematic Pratt & Whitney TF30 engines that were prone to compressor stalls and resulted in several lost aircraft and pilots.

 

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IRIAF F-14A & F-14AM
F-14A-95-GR is the original block batch delivered to Iran around 1973.

F-14AM is augmented with modern domestically-sourced Iranian parts.
Jalil Zandi is an Iranian ace pilot who flew the F-14A and reportedly has scored 11 victories..

 

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F-14B (F-14A+)
The F-14A was upgraded with new avionics, including the AN/ALR-67 RWR, and drastically improved F110-GE-400 engines which were more powerful, reliable and fixed the compressor stall issues plaguing earlier P&W engine equipped Tomcats.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

F-14C
New avionics, F401-PW-400 engine. Not produced in favor of A-6 and VFAX program that led to FA-18.

 

 

 

F-14D

Also known as the "Bombcat" due to its ability to carry guided A-G ordnance.

F-14D Quick Strike - long-range striker variant to replace A-6 and A-12 attackers. Touted as the Navy version of F-15E, but not produced.

 

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Super Tomcat 21
Proposal for a drastic upgrade for the F-14 including F110-GE-129 engines, improved APG-71 radar, aerodynamic improves with wing strakes and thrust vectoring nozzles.

 

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Specifications:

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F-14A (TF-30-P412 or TF-30-P414A) - USA

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Length: 19.1m
Height: 4.88m
Wingspan: 19.54m (unswept), 11.65m (swept)
Wing area: 52.49m² (565.0ft²)
Powerplant: (2) Pratt & Whitney TF-30-P412 or TF-30-P414A afterburning turbofan engines
Max Speed: Mach 2.34
Service ceiling: 15,240m (50,000ft)
Weight:
    Empty weight: 18,191kg (40,104lb)
    Max T-O weight: 33,724kg (74,349lb)
Internal fuel capacity: 9,433 liters (2,492 US gal, ~16,200 lbs @ 6.5 lb/gal)
External fuel tanks: 267 US gal (1,010 liter)
 

Avionics:

• AN/AWG-9
• AN/ALR-45/50

 

Countermeasures:

• AN/ALE-39 - 30 cartridges per dispenser, 60 total

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (675 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)
A-A Missiles:
    • AIM-9H/-9L Sidewinder
    • AIM-7E4/-7F Sparrow
    • AIM-54A Mk.47 / AIM-54A Mk.60
A-G Ordnance:
    • Mark 82, 83, 84 (LDGP, Snakeye)

 

F-14A-95-GR (TF-30-P414A) - Iran

Spoiler

Length: 19.1m
Height: 4.88m
Wingspan: 19.54m (unswept), 11.65m (swept)
Wing area: 52.49m² (565.0ft²)
Powerplant: (2) Pratt & Whitney TF-30-P414A afterburning turbofan engines
Max Speed: Mach 2.34
Service ceiling: 15,240m (50,000ft)
Weight:
    Empty weight: 18,191kg (40,104lb)
    Max T-O weight: 33,724kg (74,349lb)
Internal fuel capacity: 9,433 liters (2,492 US gal, ~16,200 lbs @ 6.5 lb/gal)
External fuel tanks: 267 US gal (1,010 liter)
 

Avionics:

• AN/AWG-9
• AN/ALR-45/50

 

Countermeasures:

• AN/ALE-39 - 30 cartridges per dispenser, 60 total

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (675 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)
A-A Missiles:
    • AIM-9P
    • AIM-7E4
    • AIM-54 Mk.47
    • Sedjil (MIM-23)
    • Fakour-90 (AIM-23B)

A-G Ordnance:
    • Mark 82, 83, 84 (LDGP, Snakeye)

 

F-14A+/F-14B (F110-GE-400) - USA

Spoiler

Length: 19.1m
Height: 4.88m
Wingspan: 19.54m (unswept), 11.65m (swept)
Wing area: 52.49m² (565.0ft²)
Powerplant: (2) General Electric F110-GE-400 afterburning turbofan engines
Max Speed: Mach 2.34
Service ceiling: 15,240m (50,000ft)
Weight:
    Empty weight: 18,191kg (40,104lb)
    Max T-O weight: 33,724kg (74,349lb)
Internal fuel capacity: 9,433 liters (2,492 US gal, ~16,200 lbs @ 6.5 lb/gal)
External fuel tanks: 267 US gal (1,010 liter)
 

Avionics:

• AN/AWG-9
• AN/ALR-67

 

Countermeasures:

• AN/ALE-47 - 30 cartridges per dispenser, 60 total

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (675 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)
A-A Missiles:
    • AIM-9H/-9L Sidewinder
    • AIM-7E4/-7F Sparrow
    • AIM-54A Mk.47/-54A Mk.60
    • AIM-54C
A-G Ordnance:
    • Mark 82, 83, 84 (LDGP, Snakeye)

 

 

F-14D (F110-GE-400) - USA

Spoiler

Length: 19.1m
Height: 4.88m
Wingspan: 19.54m (unswept), 11.65m (swept)
Wing area: 52.49m² (565.0ft²)
Powerplant: (2) General Electric F110-GE-400 afterburning turbofan engines
Max Speed: Mach 2.34
Service ceiling: 15,240m (50,000ft)
Weight:
    Empty weight: 18,191kg (40,104lb)
    Max T-O weight: 33,724kg (74,349lb)
Internal fuel capacity: 9,433 liters (2,492 US gal, ~16,200 lbs @ 6.5 lb/gal)
External fuel tanks: 267 US gal (1,010 liter)
 

Avionics:

• AN/APG-71
• AN/ALR-67

 

Countermeasures:

• AN/ALE-47 - 30 cartridges per dispenser, 60 total

Cannon: M61A1 Vulcan (675 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)
A-A Missiles:
    • AIM-9L/-9M Sidewinder
    • AIM-7F/-7M Sparrow
    • AIM-54A Mk.47/-54A Mk.60
    • AIM-54C/-54C+ ECCM

A-G Ordnance:
    • Mark 82, 83, 84 (LDGP, Snakeye)
    • GBU-10/-12/-16/-24/-31 JDAM
    • CBU-20/-78/-99/-100
    • LAU-10 rockets

 

 

 

Engines :

Spoiler

TF-30-P412 / TF30-P414A

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Length: 5.98m
Diameter: 1.29m
Mass: 1,928kg
Thrust (Mil): 48,040 N
Thrust (AB): 92,970 N
Thrust/weight ratio:  5.26
Fuel Consumption: 78.75 mg/Ns (AB)
Bypass ratio: 0.878
Pressure ratio: 19.8

 

Prone to compressor stalls.

  

  

 

 

F110-GE-400

Spoiler

Length: 5.9m
Diameter: 1.18m
Mass: 1,599kg
Thrust (Mil): 71,600 N
Thrust (AB): 119,300 N
Thrust/weight ratio:  6.1
Fuel Consumption: 18.13 mg/Ns (Mil) - 48.16 mg/Ns (AB)
Bypass ratio: 0.76
Pressure ratio: 30.4
    
  

  

 

 

 

 

Radars

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AN/AWG-9

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    AN/APG-71

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Weapons / Avionics

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Cannon : M61A1 Vulcan (940 rounds, 4000 or 6000 RPM)

 

A-A Missiles:

• AIM-54A/-54C
• AIM-9H/-9L/-9M
• AIM-7E4/-7F/-7M
• AIM-120A
• Sedjil (MIM-23)
• Fakour-90 (AIM-23B)

 

A-G Ordnance:

• Mark 82, 83, 84 (LDGP, Snakeye)
• GBU-10/-12/-16/-24/-31 JDAM
• CBU-20/-78/-99/-100
• LAU-10 rockets

 

Countermeasures:

• AN/ALE-29 (F-14A) - 30 cartridges per dispenser, 60 total
• AN/ALE-39 (F-14A/B) - 30 cartridges per dispenser, 60 total
• AN/ALE-47 (F-14B/D) - 30 cartridges per dispenser, 60 total
• LAU-138 BOL Rail Dispenser (F-14B/D) - 160 chaff per rail dispenser, 320 total

 

Avionics :

• AN/AWG-9 radar
• AN/APG-71 radar
• AN/ALR-45/50 RWR
• Television Camera Set (TCS)
• Link-4 Datalink
• AN/ALR-67 RWR
• AN/AAS-42 IRST
• Tactical Airborne Recon Pod System (TARPS)
• AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN targeting pod

 

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Cockpit and Controls :

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Early F-14A

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F-14A+/B

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F-14D

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    RIO Cockpit  

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Photos :

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Videos :

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USA

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Iran

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Other Topics:

Quote

 

 

Sources:

Quote

1.     Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1991-92
2.     Jane's Aircraft Upgrades 2007
3.     Jane's Air-Launched Weapons #45
4.     Jane's Avionics 2001
5.     Jane's Aero-Engines 2002
6.     Iranian F-14 Tomcat Units in Combat - Cooper, Bishop
7.     http://www.anft.net/f-14/
8.     http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-serial.htm
9.     https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/ac/f-14.htm
10.     https://www.f-14association.com/
11.     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_F-14_Tomcat
12.     https://www.historynet.com/tomcatting-why-the-grumman-f-14-never-lived-up-to-its-reputation/
13.     https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f14/
14.     https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/persian-tomcats-how-iran-keeps-its-1970s-f-14-fleet-viable-and-competitive-through-domestic-modernisation
15.     https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/29653/this-is-what-grummans-proposed-f-14-super-tomcat-21-would-have-actually-looked-like

 

Changelog:

Hide contents

1/19/2023: Removed any references to possibly restricted sources.

Edited January 19, 2023 by spacenavy90

[oom1992 649]

I guess F-14A Late something different from F-14A Early
  - Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-414A engines

  - RWR : AN/ALR-45 (V) replace by AN/ALR-50
  - Infrared homing Air-to-Air Missile AIM-9G (stock), AIM-9H & add AIM-9L replace AIM-9D
  - Semi-active radar homing AIM-7E-4 & AIM-7F Sparrow
  -  Add AIM-54A Mk.60 long-range Air-to-Air Missile except AIM-54A Mk.47 have already in F-14A Early

US Navy Bureau No 160694 Wears the markings of VF-84 “Jolly Rogers” maybe default camouflage colour scheme for F-14A Late

[spacenavy90 1,402]

4 hours ago, oom1992 said:

I guess F-14A Late something different from F-14A Early
  - Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-414A engines

  - RWR : AN/ALR-45 (V) replace by AN/ALR-50
  - Infrared homing Air-to-Air Missile AIM-9G (stock), AIM-9H & add AIM-9L replace AIM-9D
  - Semi-active radar homing AIM-7E-4 & AIM-7F Sparrow
  -  Add AIM-54A Mk.60 long-range Air-to-Air Missile except AIM-54A Mk.47 have already in F-14A Early

US Navy Bureau No 160694 Wears the markings of VF-84 “Jolly Rogers” maybe default camouflage colour scheme for F-14A Late

 

This seems very plausible for the next iteration of the F-14A for sure. You can view the different blocks and some of their changes here: http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-serial.htm

Edited October 28, 2022 by spacenavy90

[oom1992 649]

16 hours ago, spacenavy90 said:

 

This seems very plausible for the next iteration of the F-14A for sure. You can view the different blocks and some of their changes here: http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-serial.htm

It took me a while, you guess F-14A Early in tech tree is F-14A Block No ?

[spacenavy90 1,402]

13 minutes ago, oom1992 said:

It took me a while, you guess F-14A Early in tech tree is F-14A Block No ?

 

Well we already know that the in-game F-14A is "158627" a F-14A-65-GR (http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-serial-02.htm#65).

 

Edited October 29, 2022 by spacenavy90

[oom1992 649]

19 minutes ago, spacenavy90 said:

 

Well we already know that the in-game F-14A is "158627" a F-14A-65-GR (http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-serial-02.htm#65).

 

I think it's Unit with squadrons VF-1 "Wolfpack" CVW-14 camouflage which service starting in September 1974 on board the carrier USS ENTERPRISE, guess F-14A Late production minor upgrade of the engine to Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-414A in 1981

Let's say developer add F-14A (Late) under F-14A (Early), guess might change engine model & RWR, in modification developer might set AIM-9D replace by AIM-9L but AIM-9H, SARH & AIM-54A will remain

I was wondering Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-414A different from Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-412 on F-14A Early ?

[spacenavy90 1,402]

15 minutes ago, oom1992 said:

I was wondering Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-414A different from Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-412 on F-14A Early ?

 

The TF30-P-414A is a bit heavier, has slightly more thrust, and is somewhat more reliable (not that this is modeled in game). It wouldn't be a huge improvement, but still better than the current P-412A..

Edited October 29, 2022 by spacenavy90

[tripod2008 593]

2 hours ago, spacenavy90 said:

 

The TF30-P-414A is a bit heavier, has slightly more thrust, and is somewhat more reliable (not that this is modeled in game). It wouldn't be a huge improvement, but still better than the current P-412A..

There is a massive difference between a Block 130, and a Block 60~95 circa ~'74 In terms of capabilities(I don't mind that the 3D model is wrong). What makes it worse is that the IRSTS/TCS [AN/ALR-23 & AN/AXX-1 respectively] blister is missing and the ordnance is from the '77 SAC ( The '74 SAC's only changes are that the only IR missile able to be carried is the AIM-9G, and that it could take 6x AIM-7E-4's everything else is the same), and strangely has limitations from the Early~Mid '80's(the page that keeps coming up mentions the AIM-7M which entered service in '82, so is likely from around that time).

 

Nothing other than the name actually represents an F-14A near the start of it's career, let alone one in its Pre- / introductory configuration. Unless they are planning something drastic, for a later update the naming makes no sense.

 

Spoiler

Circa 1975, somewhere over the Philippines

Unknown

 

Edited October 29, 2022 by tripod2008

[spacenavy90 1,402]

35 minutes ago, tripod2008 said:

Nothing other than the name actually represents an F-14A near the start of it's career, let alone one in its Pre- / introductory configuration. Unless they are planning something drastic, for a later update the naming makes no sense.

 

For sure, the later variants and upgrades of the Tomcat will be very fun to play with... not so much to play against though for other nations without a better counter like the MiG-29 or something.

[Flame2512 3,384]

So the the F-14 radar meant to be able to display range vs azimuth in PD mode? I thought it was .like the F-4J and could only display velocity vs azimuth?

[spacenavy90 1,402]

4 hours ago, Flame2512 said:

So the the F-14 radar meant to be able to display range vs azimuth in PD mode? I thought it was .like the F-4J and could only display velocity vs azimuth?

 

The following images are from James Perry Stevenson's "F-14 Tomcat" Aero Series 25, more details can be found in it.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Edited November 4, 2022 by spacenavy90

[_Yoschi_ 694]

I feel like F14 get additional weights. Any advices in dogfighting against M2000??

[spacenavy90 1,402]

14 minutes ago, _Yoschi_ said:

I feel like F14 get additional weights.

 

Any advices in dogfighting against M2000??

 

Additional weights? I don't understand what you mean, can you elaborate?

 

As for dogfighting the M2000, the Mirage is a better one-circle fighter while the Tomcat is better in the two-circle ratefight but that rarely happens in the the chaos of air RB matches. The Tomcat has more and better BVR missiles however so try to kill the Mirage before even getting to the merge if you can.

 

[_Yoschi_ 694]

20 minutes ago, spacenavy90 said:

 

Additional weights? I don't understand what you mean, can you elaborate?

 

As for dogfighting the M2000, the Mirage is a better one-circle fighter while the Tomcat is better in the two-circle ratefight but that rarely happens in the the chaos of air RB matches. The Tomcat has more and better BVR missiles however so try to kill the Mirage before even getting to the merge if you can.

 

Idk I play SB. By more weight I understand it's respond time to inputs it's slower and heavier like inertia was mutch bigger than before. Any sudden maneuver burning great amount of energy even when not extend AOA. 

M2000 suprise sustain turn is better at speeds below 600km/h IAS (Suprise to me because I just thinking that will be opposite). F-14 get upper hand over 800km/h IAS and 7.5G turn with it M2000 can't sustain. 

 

Also sparrow F are mystery to me two times I'm shoot down friendly what I don't even lock and multiple times my missiles just go in wrong direction... Matra it's way better 

[spacenavy90 1,402]

F-14A Early will be going to rank 8.

 

[MaMoran20@psn 198]

Aim 9L?

[SXTREME 1,501]

21 minutes ago, MaMoran20@psn said:

Aim 9L?

 

Hopefully.

[spacenavy90 1,402]

1 hour ago, MaMoran20@psn said:

Aim 9L?

 

I haven't heard any news about that, but I don't believe so. Especially since it seems to be staying at 11.3 BR.

[oom1992 649]

I look forward and expect F-14B first fighter aircraft 11.7 from USN in rank 8 under F-14A because General Electric F110-GE-400 powerful engine improve fast and very good climb rate, IR missile AIM-9M 40G good maneuvering dogfight enemy fighter aircraft

Let me guess F-14B coming to Q2 or Q3 2023

Edited December 9, 2022 by oom1992

[CodyBlues 323]

5 hours ago, MaMoran20@psn said:

Aim 9L?

I don’t see why, it’s currently the best jet in game.

[MaMoran20@psn 198]

4 hours ago, CodyBlues said:

I don’t see why, it’s currently the best jet in game.

All top tier planes are running with all aspect heatseekers, except f14

[Slipz 939]

Being an avid War Thunder fan and DCS fan, I'm somewhat confused of the performance of phoenixes in war thunder, They are horrid compared to the same missile in DCS. Will they be improved in war thunder in the future perhaps? As things stand, Not even the F-14D variant will be compeditive by the time AIM-120 missiles start being introduced into the game.
https://streamable.com/0q7fdv

check video for an example.

 

Edited December 10, 2022 by Slipz

[CodyBlues 323]

14 minutes ago, MaMoran20@psn said:

All top tier planes are running with all aspect heatseekers, except f14

No, no they aren’t.

 

we are gonna have a lot of less capable planes that will be seeing f-16s and mig-29s(with chances being full teams of either or)

 

anything at 10.7 and above will be auto sucked in to 11.7.

Edited December 10, 2022 by CodyBlues

[MaMoran20@psn 198]

12 hours ago, CodyBlues said:

No, no they aren’t.

 

we are gonna have a lot of less capable planes that will be seeing f-16s and mig-29s(with chances being full teams of either or)

 

anything at 10.7 and above will be auto sucked in to 11.7.

Most of them will. Ussr top tier does carry all aspect, mld will upcoming patch along with a mig 29 with r73s. East german top tier will aswell with mla changing also. Japan will. Italy does. France does. 

 

You are quite disingenuous

[CodyBlues 323]

6 hours ago, MaMoran20@psn said:

Most of them will. Ussr top tier does carry all aspect, mld will upcoming patch along with a mig 29 with r73s. East german top tier will aswell with mla changing also. Japan will. Italy does. France does. 

 

You are quite disingenuous

You said all top tier planes, it’s clearly not. There will be planes that see top tier that do not have all aspect and will not be getting them.

 

The F-14A is the last plane that needs a buff in this game.