jfb@ihlpm.att.com (Joseph F Baugher) (09/02/90)
From: jfb@ihlpm.att.com (Joseph F Baugher)
Here's the fifth in the series, the F-14 Tomcat.
Grumman F-14A Tomcat
Powerplant:
Two Pratt & Whitney TF30-414 turbofans,20,900 lb.st. with AB
Performance:
Maximum speed: Mach 2.34 (1540 mph) at 40,000 feet (4 Sparrows)
Maximum speed: Mach 1.2 (915 mph) at sea level.
Initial climb rate: 30,000 feet/min.
Wing area: 565 sq. ft.
Service Ceiling: 50,000+ feet.
Weights:
Empty weight: 39,900 lb.
Takeoff Weight: 59,000 lb (with four AIM-7 Sparrows.
Loaded weight: 75,000 lb. (maximum takeoff)
Armament:
One 20 mm M61A1 rotary cannon plus various different missile
arrangements:
six AIM-7 Sparrow and four AIM-9 Sidewinder or
six AIM-54 Phoenix and two AIM-9 Sidewinder or
four AIM-54, two AIM-9 and two AIM-7.
Electronics:
Hughes AWG-9 pulse/Doppler radar with look down/shoot down
capability. Effective range greater than 115 miles.
Television camera sounted mounted on chin position.
Central Air Data Computer.
Carrier Aircraft Interial Navigation System,
radar warning receivers, chaff/flare dispensers, jammers.
Remarks:
Claimed to be capable of tracking more than 20 targets
simultaneously, selecting six for attack, and launching and
directing six Phoenix missiles against them.
TF30 turbofans plagued by poor serviceability, durability and
reliability.
F-14D version has two General Electric F110 turbofans with
28,000 lb.st with AB.
Hughes Phoenix missiles can successfully engage targets at
ranges greater than 100 miles.
TV imaging system gave an excellent view of the recent
encounter over the Gulf of Sidra, in which a couple of Tomcats
killed a pair of Libyan MiG-23s.
Sources:
Various issues of Aviation Week
Various issues of Defense Electronics
The Observer's Book of Aircraft, William Green.
The World's Great Attack Aircraft, Gallery Books
The World's Great Interceptor Aircraft, Gallery Books
Modern Air Combat, Bill Gunston, Mike Spick
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft Armament, Bill Gunston
Grumman F-14 Tomcat, Doug Richardson, Osprey Air Combat
Joe Baugher *************************************
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ihlpm!jfb *************************************
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