Why does the F-14 have swept wings?
A variable-sweep wing allows the pilot to use the optimum sweep angle for the aircraft’s current speed, slow or fast. The more efficient sweep angles available offset the weight and volume penalties imposed by the wing’s mechanical sweep mechanisms.
Why was F-14 Tomcat discontinued?
The Navy retired the venerable Grumman F-14 Tomcat in 2006 after more than three decades in service. With the end of the Cold War and declining budgets, the Navy simply could not afford to keep the incredibly maintenance intensive and unreliable Tomcat on the carrier flight deck.
Is the F-14 better than the F-18?
The F-14 is also equipped with more weapons that the F-18 is. On top of this, the F-14 is much faster than the F-18, as well as being able to pull more g’s in total (mostly negative g’s, although this was restricted later on in the F-14’s service life). The F-14 also has a higher service ceiling.
Which is better f16 or MiG 29?
Below 200 knots, the MiG-29 has incredible nose-pointing capability down to below 100 knots. The F-16, however, enjoys an advantage in the 200 knot-plus regime. At higher speeds, we can power above them to go to the vertical. And our turn rate is significantly better.
What kind of fighter is the Grumman F-14 Tomcat?
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. It was the first such U.S. jet fighter with twin tails. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy ‘s Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after the collapse of the F-111B project.
What is the wing sweep on a F-14?
The F-14’s wing sweep can be varied between 20° and 68° in flight, and can be automatically controlled by the Central Air Data Computer, which maintains wing sweep at the optimum lift-to-drag ratio as the Mach number varies; pilots can manually override the system if desired.
What are the wings of a Grumman Tomcat made of?
The wings have a two-spar structure with integral fuel tanks. Much of the structure, including the wing box, wing pivots and upper and lower wing skins is made of titanium, a light, rigid and strong material, but also difficult and costly to weld.
When was the tarps developed for the F-14?
The Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) was developed in the late 1970s for the F-14. Approximately 65 F-14As and all F-14Ds were modified to carry the pod. TARPS was primarily controlled by the Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) via an extra display for observing reconnaissance data.