Thank you, good sir. Take this like
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Major Update: Tomcat’s Prowl
The Final Cat Is Here — The F-14D Super Tomcat Enters War Thunder!
The Navy’s ultimate interceptor has arrived. With advanced sensors, unmatched missile loadouts, and iconic swing-wing charisma, the Super Tomcat roars into War Thunder to claim its place at Rank VIII.
F-14D Super Tomcat: Carrier-Based Interceptor for the United States at Rank VIII
At a glance:
- AN/APG-71 radar with advanced TWS and look-down/shoot-down
- Up to 10 AIM-120B AMRAAMs
- Upgraded AIM-54C+ Phoenix with ECCM
- Fully modeled RIO functions
- IRST + TCS sensor fusion
- Twin F110 engines and improved maneuverability with DFCS
Vehicle History: The Ultimate Tomcat
The F-14D “Super Tomcat” was the culmination of everything learned from the A and B variants. Modernized with digital avionics, vastly improved engines, and new weapons capabilities, the D-model extended the relevance of the Tomcat deep into the 21st century. Though its service was short-lived, it played a key role in post-Cold War U.S. Navy operations, retaining its place as one of the most capable air superiority fighters of its time.
Sensor Fusion: AN/APG-71 + TCS + IRST = Unrelenting Track Authority
At the heart of the F-14D lies the AN/APG-71, an MPRF pulse-Doppler radar derived from the legendary APG-70. It features full Track While Scan, look-down/shoot-down, and fast multi-target engagement support — perfect for slinging AMRAAMs or Phoenixes at long range.
What sets the Tomcat apart, though, is its sensor fusion. The radar integrates directly with the TCS (Television Camera Set) and a fully functioning IRST (Infrared Search & Track) system. Together, these systems allow the F-14D to visually identify and passively track targets without alerting enemy RWR systems. That means sneaky locks, severe avoidance of losing track, and undetectable surveillance — even while you’re hundreds of kilometers away.
Phoenix Reborn: The AIM-54C+ with ECCM
Say hello to the AIM-54C+ — the final and most lethal version of the Phoenix missile. In the F-14D, this long-range monster comes with major upgrades:
- Improved dynamic guidance logic with digital signal processing (giving it Mach 5 capability)
- ECCM (Electronic Counter-Countermeasures) for higher success rates against maneuvering or chaffing targets
- Increased maneuverability to 25G and Directional Warhead for the highest hit chance
- Faster mid-course updates from the APG-71 due to the RIO’s tinkering.
- Adjustible terminal phase range to promote stealth or ensure tack at farther ranges
The AIM-54C+ gives the F-14D unmatched reach and first-shot/first-kill ability. With better retention of track against evading targets, this isn’t the old Phoenix — it’s something far scarier.
10 AMRAAMs. You Read That Right.
The F-14D isn’t just about Phoenixes — it brings full AIM-120A/B AMRAAM capability. Thanks to testing with 1B and 8B dual pylons, this jet can carry up to 10 advanced medium ranged air - air missiles at once.
Loadouts include:
- 10x AIM-120B
- 6x AIM-120B + 4x AIM-54C+
- 6x AIM-54C+ + 2x AIM-9M + 4x AIM-120B
- Freely create any combo to suit your playstyle
This makes the F-14D one of the most flexible and dangerous interceptors ever introduced to the game.
No HMD? No Problem — Full RIO Simulation
While the F-14D lacks a Helmet Mounted Display, it makes up for it with a simulated **Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) **. The second seat isn’t just dead weight— it’s functional. You’ll have full access to the rear seat interfaces, complete with Contextual Radar Optimizations, Automatic spotting of aircraft, missiles, and AA emplacements, automatic sensor/countermeasure management, and visualized manual radar slewwing that mimics HMD. This makes the F-14D one of the most threatening multi-crew aircraft in War Thunder history.
In simulator and cockpit view, you’ll be able to switch between pilot and RIO seats, giving you direct sight over targeting, TWS modes, and sensor tasking — just like the real thing.
Power to Match the Payload
Two F110-GE-400 engines give the F-14D vastly improved thrust over the F-14A Early variants, improving acceleration, top speed, and climb rate. The result? Better sustained energy in a fight and the power to quickly reposition between engagements.
The aircraft retains the swing-wing design, adjusting for ideal performance in any flight regime. Whether you’re intercepting at Mach 2 or turning inside a bandit at low altitude, the Super Tomcat adapts. Reduced drag at high altitudes and a new Digital Flight Control System allow you to fully encapsulate a shapeshifter.
Ready for Launch
Whether you’re hunting at long range or supporting a fleet strike group, the F-14D Super Tomcat delivers. It’s the ultimate American interceptor — fast, versatile, and packing one of the most devastating missile arsenals in the game.
Gear up, RIO online, and prepare for launch — the Super Tomcat is cleared to launch in Major Update: Tomcat’s Prowl!
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wr ong
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They can’t even model the TF-30 correctly 💀
Obviously the shape of the turkey feathers is incorrect.
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Unfortunately, they don’t care about the F-14 (they probably hate it, to be honest). I thought it was because the new jets needed attention, but nope. The Mirage 2000 was getting stuff passed and fixed WITHIN the HOUR. But the bug report with literal video proof of the IRIAF having 6 missile hardpoints is still somehow pending almost 9 months later. Same with the Aim-54C not having (at a bare minimum) Mach 5 speeds, Smokeless motors, etc…
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Well… I’ve tried guys. Hours of scouring interviews looking for capabilities about the F-14D (which I will share my findings after this) and I can’t really find anything new. My goal was to force Gaijin to buff the F-14s by finding concrete proof of what they needed to be successful, but turns out, they already have it. They’ve always had everything they need to buff the F-14s.
The manuals they cite for not buffing the F-14A have the correct engine heat listed already. The Aim-54/Fakours have been bug reported for years now. There’s nothing wrong with these bug reports. Ignored. To this day, the F-14B’s TCS has none of its real functionality. Every single update, the F-14s get nerfed. BOL changes? Artificial Nerf. RWR changes? Artificial Nerf. Radar Changes? Honestly, the F-14s radar can’t get any worse. Video Proof of the IRIAF carrying 6 Aim-54s? Gaijin: Ok cool bro - copy and paste “Forwarded to Devs” and then never talk about it again
They really hate this jet.
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Alright time to get to those findings I was talking about.
Video 1:
The F-14D used the Aim-9X: https://youtu.be/YJW5As4Os4U?si=oHwIcq6g9wRBAtlW&t=1565
The Aim-54s Active guidance parameters were variable to the shot being made: https://youtu.be/YJW5As4Os4U?si=yJAFNdAZKuCnYkbZ&t=1098 and can be shot active off the rail: https://youtu.be/YJW5As4Os4U?si=73LgDOK0Sz0myARd&t=1134
AN/APG-71 has MPRF and HPRF: https://youtu.be/YJW5As4Os4U?si=C7JAaCZuqwxWxhmZ&t=851 and can track through the notch: https://youtu.be/YJW5As4Os4U?si=1Ald7ZKKLjHkP0nC&t=875
The F-14D’s IRST was very good. Giving clear imaging up to 200 miles: https://youtu.be/YJW5As4Os4U?si=qW2Yt89WJ9v_m2Hd&t=6425 and it can be slaved to the AN/APG-71 to get a track: https://youtu.be/YJW5As4Os4U?si=U6KUh88BE2esLDiV&t=6466
Video 2:
F-14D Cockpit footage: https://youtu.be/o_3jM2J1D-0?si=iWLRPu67KxafKuyh&t=143
SparrowHawk HUD: https://youtu.be/o_3jM2J1D-0?si=nSl-2_mjBdZoAvNp&t=80
Video 3:
The AN/APG-71’s addition of the new Databus allows everything to talk to each other (sensor fusion?!) : https://youtu.be/W6acxEWImvs?si=eVIUAmQQKgEGWJ_w&t=957
AN/APG-71 Scan pattern? https://youtu.be/W6acxEWImvs?si=pIfMKcpOK66uqYL4&t=1232
AN/APG-71 could use HPRF and MPRF at the same time with new radar mode: https://youtu.be/W6acxEWImvs?si=SIj4d1yAR5WpjJHX&t=1390
Video 4:
A Mid Compression Bypass Circuit Breaker could be pulled to give an extra 2000 pounds of thrust: https://youtu.be/BDERZpazb3g?si=lmtA7Ob_lMkAiPaX&t=95 (Given that our planes ingame use WEP [War Emergency Power] for afterburner, we possibly could see this added ingame. Our thrust would increase to 32,200 x 2, giving us a TWR of ≈ 1.47 which is .10 higher than what we have now.
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Clicked to see cockpit footage, stayed for the view
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just wish gaijin allowed to use pilot’s words… basicly same level as some newspaper(used for quite a lot of russian planes in game)…
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I’m pretty sure you can. I’ve seen people use interviews for bug reports and have them passed.
Man i love hearing Snort talking , he is something else! “I cheated better” !!! That to be said… he was a magician in the Tomcat.
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He’s so fun to listen too. He’s basically the embodiment of the Airforce (here’s everything you can do) vs Navy (here’s everything you can’t do, everything else is on the table). Here’s the full thing if you haven’t listened to it already: https://youtu.be/cQZ0Q6anxbo?si=y7fpCd5lUEbWFMei
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Already stopped to counting model errors
I know thats D model but, B model also has this ECM blister.
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I’ve seen that picture before, it showcases the latest modification 14D received before retiring.
Possibly some 14B (upg) had that too, i’ve seen pictures of them with and without it , i mean the thing in the intake.
That being said the model in the game is not 14B (upg) .
The one in the AIM-54 pylon is the ROVER upgrade. I don’t think that in the game would have any difference though.
Afaik, A model and B/B(U) model never had ROVER upgrades because they are aged and all squadrons at that time are already transferred to Super Hornets.
Now that they’ve started simulating the coolant, I’d like to see the sealed Phoenixes added. It’d definitely give more options. Not that it’s very worth it with the way Phoenixes are modelled as of right now.
I suppose they’ll leave it for the D or a B late though…
1 Like