Since this was a single-pod system, LANTIRN lost the capability to automatically fly the aircraft in terrain following radar mode. The resulting AAQ-25 LTS pod was not integrated into the F-14’s computers and software, but instead it fed images directly into the crew’s displays. Fairchild was then contracted to produce a Precision Strike Processor that was installed into the console of the F-14 RIO station. This was the key to the successful integration on LANTIRN. Fairchild previously upgraded a small number of F-14Bs with the installation of equipment that translated the analogue signals of the AWG-9 radar and AWG-15 weapons control system into a format readable by a MIL STD 1553 digital databus. Differently from the USAF’s two-podded LANTIRN, the USN version featured only the AN/AAQ-14 targeting pod (LTP) with modifications including GPS, ballistic tables and navigation aids. Martin Marietta, which later became Lockheed Martin, in 1994 proposed the LANTIRN system for the F-14. One major benefit that the Tomcat had was its capability to bring it back aboard the carrier its entire heavy load of laser-guided munitions if they weren’t used in combat, while the Hornet was forced to jettison them to meet the weight requirements before landing back on the carrier. At that time the Bombcat was missing a self-designating capability, so they flew in mixed sections of F/A-18s and F-14s, with the Hornets buddy-lasing the targets. In September 1995, the VF-41 “Black Aces” operated off the coast of Bosnia during Operation Deliberate Force, and the operation marked the F-14’s first ever delivery of air-to-ground ordnance in combat. Later in the early 1990s, cluster bombs were introduced in the Bombcat’s inventory, including the anti-armour Mk-20, Mk-99 and Mk-100 Rockeye and the CBU-78 Gator, followed by the GBU-12, GBU-16 and GBU-10 Paveway II laser-guided bombs. Weapons cleared for use by the jet included the 500lb (227kg) Mk-82, both low-drag and Snakeye or BSU-86 high-drag configurations, and the equivalent 1,000lb (454kg) Mk-83 bomb and 2,000lb (907kg) Mk-84 bombs. When it was decided to finally let the F-14 drop bombs too, the basic Bombcat could only employ unguided free-fall bombs. The AWG-15 (air-to-ground attack system) weapons control panel was also installed in the cockpit, but it only had limited functionality. In 1973 a Tomcat even flew with 14 Mk82 500lb (227kg) bombs attached to modified Phoenix missile rails, as well as two AIM-7 Sparrow and two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles on its wing glove pylons. Even if this mission requirement was later abandoned by the US Navy, Grumman worked to ensure the F-14 could, if required, fly in a strike fighter role. The original Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) specification from June 1968 included an important secondary close air support role, with a payload of up to 14,500lb (6,577kg). The F-14 was also highly effective in the self-escorted strike role and a part of the Tomcat community has long been arguing for an air-to-ground role, even if some others saw this as an heresy. The F-14 could carry more bombs than the F/A-18A/C Hornet and, with its long range and heavy payload, it became the aircraft carrier’s deep strike platform, effectively replacing the A-6. The retirement of the A-6 Intruder left a capability gap until the new F/A-18E/F Super Hornets entered service. At the same time, the all-weather long-range A-6 Intruder bomber was retired due to its high maintenance costs and because strategists considered it not useful in a post-Cold War scenario. Later in its 36-years career, the Tomcat evolved from a pure fighter to a strike fighter, a configuration commonly known as “Bombcat”.Īfter Desert Storm, budget cuts caused 11 frontline F-14 units to be decommissioned due to the aircraft’s high maintenance costs and single-mission capability. Navy’s fleets from airborne threats, using its AWG-9 radar and the long-range AIM-54 Phoenix missiles for against bombers carrying standoff anti-ship missiles. The F-14 Tomcat was primarily designed to defend the U.S. Initially developed only for the Fleet Air Defense, the F-14 eventually evolved into an appreciated strike fighter at the peak of its career.
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