Grumman F-14D Tomcat

Grumman F-14D Tomcat

About the Aircraft

Grumman F-14D Tomcat

The Hickory Aviation Museum’s F-14D Bureau Number 163902 (~Dec 07) is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation. VF-31 “Tomcatters” Modex 107 flew the retirement ceremony with LCDR Chris Richard and LT Mike Petronis at the controls. Coordinated by Kyle and Kregg Kirby.

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program following the collapse of the F-111B project. The F-14 was the first of the American teen-series fighters, which were designed incorporating the experience of air combat against MiG fighters during the Vietnam War. The F-14 first flew in December 1970 and made its first deployment in 1974 with the U.S. Navy aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), replacing the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The F-14 served as the U.S. Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet interceptor and tactical aerial reconnaissance platform.

National origin United States of America
Manufacturer Grumman Aerospace Corporation
First flight 21 December 1970
Introduction 22 September 1974
Retired 22 September 2006 (US Navy)
Status In service with the Islamic, Republic of Iran Air Force
Primary users United States Navy, Imperial Iranian Air Force, Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
Produced 1969–1991
Number built 712
Propulsion 2 x Pratt & Whitney TF30, later replaced by 2 x GE F110-GE400 Turbofan
Unit cost US$38 million (1998)
Grumman F-14D Tomcat BuNo 163902

General Characteristics

Characteristics

Crew: 2 (Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer)
Length: 62 ft 9 in (19.1 m)
Wingspan: Spread: 64 ft; Swept: 38 ft
Height: 16 ft
Wing area: 565 ft² (54.5 m²)
Empty weight: 43,735 lb (19,838 kg)
Loaded weight: 61,000 lb (27,700 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 74,350 lb (33,720 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F110-GE-400 afterburning turbofans
Dry thrust: 16,610 lbf each
Thrust with afterburner: 30,200 lbf (134 kN) each
Maximum fuel capacity: 16,200 lb internal; 20,000 lb with 2x 267 gallon external tank

Performance

Maximum speed: Mach 2.34 (1,544 mph, 2,485 km/h) at high altitude
Combat radius: 500 nmi (575 mi, 926 km)
Ferry range: 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi, 2,960 km)
Service ceiling: 50,000+ ft (15,200 m)
Rate of climb: >45,000 ft/min (229 m/s)

Armament:

  • Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled Gatling cannon, with 675 rounds
  • Hardpoints: 10 total: Missiles/Bombs/Other: Air-to-air missiles: AIM-54 Phoenix, AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, JDAM, Rockeye, MK80, Rockets, Reconnaissance and Targeting Pods