F-14 Tomcat replacement?

Question

1970-2006, F-14 Retires. What is the US replacement for this legendary machine? Will it be or is it as legendary as the F-14?

thanks

Answer 1

Replacing the F-14 actually started with the introduction of the F/A-18. A first of its kind the F/A-18 can do everything the F-14 did plus more and can do it better! The F/A-18F/G Super Hornets are a magnificent aircraft.

Also the F-35 Lightning or the Joint Strike Fighter as it is known will also be replacing the F-14. The F-35 was developed in 3 different models by Boeing/Northrupp Grumman. A Carrier version for the Royal and U.S. Navy's, an airforce vF-35ersion with regular take off and landing capabilities, and a Marine version which is a VTOL ( Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft.

When people think of the Navy they think of the F-14 because of the Movie Top Gun. Problem is the F-14 really wasn't that great of an aircraft. It was a big, heavy, expensive airplane to use. It needed 80 hours of maintenance per 1 flight hour. Its maximum G capabilities was between 6-6.5 G's because of the swing wing design. It needed afterburners to get supersonic thus burning huge amounts of fuel. The only thing going for the F-14 was the massive Aim-65 Phoenix Missile system that had an effective range of about 100 miles. Problem is close up they were completely useless.

The F-18 is the first multi-role plane in the world. It is faster than the F-14, can pull 8-8.5 G's, can fight its way in, bomb, and fight its way out. The F-18 carries the Aim-9 Sidewinder and either the older Aim-7 Sparrow radar guided missile or the Aim-120 AMMRAM radar guided missle.

The F-35 is a stealth fighter/attack plane. In its Marine version the F-35 has a thrust fan in the middle of the aircraft and the jet nozzle swings down to provide vertical thrust. The F-35 could be the last of its kind, a manned aircraft. The navy and airforce are already developing unmanned aircraft. Hope this helps, thats everything i know.

P.S. The F-22(not F/A-22, it lost its attack designation) is NOT a Navy plane. It is not capable of landing and taking off from a Carrier. The F-22 is awesome! It has supercruise capability, thrust vectoring awesome.

Answer 2

The Tomcat isn't a fighter aircraft in the traditional sense. It's classified as an interceptor. An interceptor uses it's speed, avionics array and missile systems to engage other fighters and bombers at long range. It's intended mission initially was mainly to keep Soviet attack aircraft from engaging carrier fleets with short range nuclear and anti ship missiles. The F/A 18 "F/A indicates fighter/attack" is better suited to the Navy and Marine Corp. use of multiple capability aircraft. The F 14 was a terrific aircraft but with the dissolution of the Soviet Union the aircraft didn't fit what the Navy needed anymore. In addition the variable geometry wings were very labor intensive to maintain. It all comes down to money.

Answer 3

The FA-18 Superhornet, though not my preference, is already in service, and the Navy is purchasing a fair number of FA -35s (with an option for an FB-35 down the line as well). I like the 35 (the JSF) but not as much as I like the FA-22. (to correct an error from an answer above, the FA-22 is an Air Force, not navy, project).

Answer 4

The F-18A Super Hornet is supposed to the replacement for the Tomcat. Personally, I believe the Tomcat to be the finest jet the Navy has ever flown and will miss it very much.

Answer 5

F/A-18, F/A-22, F/A-35.

Much more economical and capable, easily upgraded, stealthy, more well rounded mission capabilities.

They would not have retired the F-14 until they had something more capable.

EDIT: Based on comments below....

Isn't the F-22 Raptor carrier capable? I think I saw a picture of one on a carrier deck. I didn't see anything in the question that indicated "Navy only" in the answer.

Answer 6

The navy has the F-18.

Answer 7

The navy version of the JSF. The F-14 could still see action with the national guard.