The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-capable supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, all-weather-capable variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after the collapse of the General Dynamics-Grumman F-111B project.

F-14 Tomcats were the primary multirole fighters mostly intercepting the Tu-95 Bear D aircraft that flew anywhere in the vicinity of U.S. aircraft carriers during the Cold War. U.S. policy was not to let the Bear D come within several hundred miles of an aircraft carrier without an armed escort.

Jan 15, 2025 · The F-14 is a two-seat, twin-engine jet fighter, also called the Tomcat, that was built from 1970 to 1992. It was designed in the 1960s with the aerodynamic and electronic capacities to defend U.S. aircraft-carrier operations at …

Apr 14, 2021 · U.S. Navy aircrews and recruiters loved it, but its record suggests the Top Gun mount wasn’t all it was cranked up to be. Two Grumman F-14D Tomcats from U.S. Navy fighter squadron VF-213 fly with swing wings fully extended off Virginia Beach’s Naval Air Station Oceana in 2004. (Eric Hildebrandt)

Jun 23, 2017 · The F-14 Tomcat is the most iconic Cold War US Naval fighter, next to the McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom. It is also a replacement for the F-4 Phantom and the failed F-111B, incorporating the lessons and experiences acquired during Vietnam as …

The F-14, with its AIM-54 Phoenix air-to-air missiles, coupled with airborne early-warning aircraft radar, was able to simultaneously intercept, engage and destroy up to six incoming enemy aircraft out to distances of one hundred miles from a carrier task force.

Jul 10, 2024 · The Grumman F-14 Tomcat's history dates back to the 1950s, initially designed for both the Navy and Air Force. The F-14 Tomcat entered service with the USN in 1972. Its unique features include a swept-back wing system and a Mach 2.2 speed capability.

May 18, 2023 · At just shy of 63 feet long and boasting a 64-foot wingspan, the F-14 Tomcat could attain speeds in excess of Mach 1 at sea level and surpass Mach 2.34 at altitude thanks to two General Electric...

Feb 5, 2024 · The F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-place fighter designed to attack and destroy enemy aircraft at night and in all weather conditions.

Jan 27, 2025 · The F-14 Tomcat was an exceptionally capable fighter jet, with a top speed of over Mach 2.3 (1,450 mph) and a range of over 500 miles (800 kilometers). Its advanced radar and avionics systems, combined with its highly maneuverable airframe and powerful engines, made it a formidable opponent in the skies.