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Designed as the US Navy's primary fighter, the F-14 Tomcat could perform air superiority, escort and strike missions and was undoubtedly one of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced aircraft ever to serve on an aircraft carrier. The prototype machine was flown on December 21, 1970, and the first planes were delivered to the US Navy four years later. The last Tomcat planes were decommissioned only in 2006, which perfectly demonstrates the high quality and excellent performance of this machine. The most innovative and distinctive solution for the F-14 is the variable geometry wings. Controlled by computer or manually by the pilot, they can change the angle of attack from 20 degrees at minimum speed to 60 degrees at supersonic speeds. The variable wing geometry also allows for optimal wing positioning during tight maneuvers, thanks to which this powerful aircraft exhibits amazing maneuverability. The heart of the Tomcat weapon system is the Hughes ANG-9 radar, which typically works with AIM-54A Phoenix air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 180 km. The ability to track and attack more than one target is particularly important. No less important element of armament, as shown by combat experience in the Vietnam War, is the cannon - on the F-14 mounted inside the hull of the M-61 Vulcan, which fires up to 6,000 rounds per minute! Of course, you can attach other types of weapons to the Tomcat, such as Sparrow missiles, Sidewinders or various bombs. The F-14 also owes much of its success to its excellent powerplant in the form of a pair of 9300 daN afterburner Pratt-Whitney TF30 engines. Technical data: Maximum speed: 2480 km/h, rate of climb: 153 m/s, practical ceiling 17100 m, maximum range: 3200 km, armament: fixed - single, six-barreled 20mm gun M61-A1, mounted - up to 6580 kg of cargo.
