Phone: 303.360.5360 Online Exhibit of Aircraft
1975 F14-A Tomcat
Fighter
Manufactured by Gruman
The Tomcat is a "variable geometry" aircraft in that the wings can be extended
at right angles to the fuselage for takeoff and landing and can be swept back
for cruise. The ship can move through the sound barrier and achieve a speed
of Mach Two — or roughly 1,400 miles per hour. It can operate up to 500 miles
from its carrier base.
The key to the success of the F-14 lies in its Hughes radar. This instrumentation
can paint six enemy aircraft at a range of roughly 85 miles even though the craft
are flying at different altitudes, different speeds and in different directions.
The F-14 can then launch six Phoenix missiles at the six targets. Each Phoenix
missile has onboard radar and can calculate its own intercept. Thus, the F-14
launches the ordinance, turns and goes home.
The F-14 can also carry multiple Sparrow air to air missiles which are guided
by either radar or infrared sensing along with four sidewinder air to air missiles
and both "smart" and "dumb" bombs.
The F-14 entered the Navy inventory in 1972.
The Tomcat performs many tasks but its principal job is to protect the carrier
battle group. Flying with a second Tomcat and the E-2 Hawkeye with long range
radar, the three ships constitute a combat air patrol which is in the air twenty
four hours a day. The carrier battle group can consist of ten warships costing
the taxpayers 15 billion dollars and manned with a crew of 10,000 sailors. This
battle group can muster more firepower than the entire armed forces of England.
Hence, extensive protection is required.
Our F-14A Tomcat
The F-14A you see here is a retired Navy aircraft. It flew into Denver and was
towed to the Wings Museum. It is used in training by the Denver unit of the Naval
Reserve. The aircraft will be de-milled in January 2007.
Specifications
- Role/Category: Fighter
- Powerplant: Two Pratt and Whitney turbofan engines can provide 54,000 pounds of thrust in afterburner.
- Speed: Mach 2 or roughly 1,400 mph
- Payload: 14,000 pounds of ordinance
More Photos:
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