- Yes
- No
This suggestion is for a “late service” F-14A, representing the aircraft as it was configured just before its retirement from the U.S. Navy.
Compared to the early F-14A model in the game, this variant would feature improved air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, as well as upgraded avionics. This would allow it to compete more effectively against advanced jets.
In comparison to the F-14B, it has less powerful engines but benefits from a lighter airframe, giving it a potential advantage in one-cycle dogfights. Furthermore, its top speed is higher than that of the F-14B/D models, which would make it a viable Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) platform in Simulator Battles (SB).
Spoiler
Since the mid 1980s to early 1990s, the F-14As operated by the U.S. Navy were considered dated and had limitations in multi-role capabilities, such as ground attack, when compared to the F/A-18A/C Legacy Hornet and the F-14A+/F-14B.
As part of efforts to enhance their capabilities, the aircraft first received an upgrade to their Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) suite. The AN/ALQ-126 ECM system was initially installed on an F-14A (BuNo. 161168) deployed to the VF-154 ‘Black Knights’ in April 1984. This system was subsequently included on all new-production and refurbished aircraft until around 1987.
Subsequently, in the 1990s, an upgrade program began to integrate the LANTIRN pod, upgrading the F-14A to the ‘Bombcat’ specification with precision-strike capability. This modification introduced the Programmable Tactical Information Display (PTID), which significantly enhanced cockpit situational awareness and provided pilots with improved targeting data visualization for precision strike missions. The upgrade also involved replacing the Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) with the newer AN/ALR-67 from AN/ALR-45/50.
In another crucial upgrade, all F-14 variants, including the F-14A, received the Digital Flight Control System (DFCS). Replacing the older Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), the DFCS fundamentally solved the dangerous flat spin issues that had long plagued the F-14A, notably without requiring an engine replacement. The system also enhanced safety by helping to prevent pilots from executing unsafe maneuvers and substantially reduced pilot workload during complex flight operations. Funding for this vital improvement, approximately $80 million, was secured by reprogramming budget allocations in Fiscal Year 1996.
As a result of these modernizations, the upgraded F-14As proved their combat effectiveness. These aircraft were deployed to the 1999 Kosovo conflict, operations in Afghanistan—including strikes against Al Qaeda and Taliban targets, and the 2003 Iraq War, where they continued to carry out front-line attack missions.
The 60 F-14As that received these upgrades operated in the following squadrons
- VF-14 Tophatters (1973-2001)
- VF-41 Black Aces (1976-2001)
- VF-154 Black Knights (1984-2003)
- VF-211 Fighting Checkmates (1975-2004)
- VF-101 Grim Reapers (1976-2005) : This squadron was F-14 FRS and had every tomcat models
In 2001, the F-14As of VF-14 “Tophatters” and VF-41 “Black Aces” embarked on their final cruise with the Tomcat aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Positioned as the closest carrier to Afghanistan, they were among the first aircraft deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), preceding even the arrival of the F-14Ds of VF-213 “Black Lions” aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).
At the time, aircraft carriers were the only means of projecting tactical air power into Afghanistan. Tomcat, Hornet, and Prowler units carried out missions ranging from six to ten hours in duration, flying over 700 miles (1,126 km) from their carrier to their targets.
The F-14A model was retired in 2004, several years earlier than the F-14B and F-14D variants. The last U.S. Navy F-14A to fly was Bureau Number (BuNo) 158632, which belonged to VF-211, the “Fighting Checkmates.” Operating under the call sign “NICKEL 103,” it made its final flight on September 13, 2004.
Spoiler
The real-world refurbishment of the F-14A was characterized by a lack of standardization. The process often involved retrofitting older airframes, some of which were remaining stock from early production runs. Crucially, these upgrades were not applied according to a consistent, block-by-block modernization plan.
As a result, significant variations in onboard equipment and systems were prevalent, even among aircraft in the same squadron. This makes it challenging to define a single, standard specification for the F-14A in its later years of service.
Crew:
- 2 (Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer)
Powerplant:
- 2 × Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-414A turbofan engines
- Thrust: 20,900 lbf each (with afterburner)
Dimensions:
- Wingspan (fully spread): 64 ft 1 in (19.53 m)
- Wingspan (fully swept): 48 ft 2 in (14.68 m)
- Wingspan (overswept): 33 ft 3 in (10.13 m)
- Wing Area: 565 sq ft (52.5 m²)
Weight:
- Empty Weight: 40,104 lb (18,193 kg)
Performance:
- Maximum Speed: 1,544 mph (Mach 2.34 at altitude)
- Rate of Climb: 30,000 ft/min (152.4 m/s)
Avionics & Systems:
- Radar: AN/AWG-9
- Radar Warning Receiver (RWR): AN/ALR-67
- Electronic Countermeasures (ECM): AN/ALQ-126
Armament:
- 1 × M61A1 Vulcan 20 mm rotary cannon (675 rounds)
Air-to-Air (A2A)
- AIM-9H
- AIM-9L
- AIM-9M – All-aspect IR-guided missile with IRCCM (All Navy-variant except the AIM-9M-10)
- AIM-7F
- AIM-7M
- AIM-7P
- AIM-54A
- AIM-54C
- AIM-54C ECCM/Sealed – Sealed and improved ECCM-capable Phoenix; still requires coolant from launch pylons
Air-to-Ground (A2G)
- Unguided Rockets:
- LAU-10 Zuni 5-inch rocket pods
- General-Purpose Bombs (GPB):
- Mk.82 (including BLU-111A/B)
- Mk.83 (including BLU-110A/B)
- Mk.84
- Guided Bombs (LGB):
- GBU-10 Paveway II
- GBU-12 Paveway II
- GBU-16 Paveway II
- GBU-24 Paveway III
- Cluster Munitions:
- CBU-20 Rockeye II
- CBU-78 Gator
- CBU-99
- CBU-100
- Practice Munitions:
- Mk.76
- Mk.106
- BDU-33
- BDU-45
- BDU-48
Spoiler
A F-14A in late 1990s to early 2000s service is essentially an F-14B airframe equipped with TF-30 engines. This combination would not make it a “worse” model. In fact, its lighter airframe would offer a different flight performance.
Adding this variant to the game would be a historic addition, allowing players to choose between it and the F-14B to suit different playstyles. To make it distinct, Gaijin could arm it with the AIM-9M and AIM-54C. While the AIM-54 missile system needs a rework (as of June 2024), the aircraft could be properly balanced once that is addressed, even with the powerful AIM-9M.
If implemented correctly, the late-model F-14A would serve as a viable counterpart to aircraft like the F-15C MSIP II, various F-16s (AM, OCU, Block 40/50), the MiG-29SMT, and the Su-27SM.
Spoiler
Spoiler
- Jon Lake (ed.). F-14 Tomcat Shipborne Superfighter. (London, England: Aerospace Publishing, Ltd., 1998), 83, 196.
- National Naval Aviation Museum
- SeaForce-online This website really helped to find late F-14A photos!
- The retire of F-14A from The Aviation Geek Club
- HOME OF M.A.T.S
- TOMCAT ALLEY
- The Aviationist
- VF-14 Tophatters Command History 1998-1999
