3. The AWG-9 Radar and AIM-54 Phoenix Missile

Retired U.S. Navy Captain Ken “Wahoo” Ginader, a former F-14 RIO and TOPGUN instructor, reveals the F-14A Tomcat's unique radar and missile system capabilities, shares thrilling missile exercise stories, and touches on the 1980 Iran hostage rescue mission.
0:00 Intro
0:50 Guest Introduction
2:00 How you got into the F-14
14:10 Flying F-14 from the backseat
16:10 AWG-9 Radar Limitations
25:45 Flying Stories
59:10 JO Tours
1:01:20 Being a TOPGUN Instructor
1:09:00 Guest Outro
1:09:36 Outro
#fighterpilot Podcast
Website: www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/
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Twitter: / ftrpltpdcst

[@oldgoat142]

As an F-14A maintainer, (specifically a Tron Chaser with the IWT and also the AIMD VAST shops), in the 80s, this brings back so many awesome memories! As much as she could sometimes be a pain in the neck to keep flying, it was also an absolute thrill to watch jets that I helped fix got shot off the pointy end. Nothing I've ever done professionally, (including becoming a pretty good hospital power plant engineer), has ever compared to, or come close to those days. It was my highest honor working with and for, some of the finest people I'll ever know. I miss those days and my shipmates.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

💪🇺🇸

[@johnb7490]

I agree. I was an AE on the F14, nothing compares

[@roydegenstein4293]

From my understanding, and let it be known I am prior Foward Observer in the Army and Security Forces in the USAF. The WSOs of today know the basics of flight operations but are not pilots. In the USAF F-15E, they do fly the aircraft. But only in nontactical portions of the mission. As for the F-18 and the Navy, if correct, the WSO there also knows basics of flight operations, but they do not fly from the back seat unlike the USAF. The F-15E is set up to fly from the back seat with Stick, Throttle, and Rudder Pedals. Again, being a ground pounder, I could be wrong. But I think this is how it is today. But I also grew up in the days of the F-14 and is one of my favorite Aircraft, wonderful show and enjoy seeing them. Thank you so much for your time to put these out for us to enjoy.

[@tomsanborn4156]

The operating system software that ran the AWG-9 was on what looked like a vhs tape. If it didn’t start running, you would open the panel, pull the box from the rack and give it few thumps on the side. After reinstalling it would almost always function properly. Did so much with so little back then. Amazing.

[@elnach3240]

Yes! Back to talking about a Man’s jet, the Mighty Tomcat!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

💪

[@arutixar]

Love these stories. I can listen to this for hours.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

well then you're in luck because we have hours of content!

[@Gotav-uq4jr]

TOMCAT TUESDAY!!!! Can’t wait for episode 4, it’s in my top 5 favorite episodes.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Only 14 days away! 😉

[@tomsanborn4156]

I still have my bit-book for the AWG-9 from VF-101 IWT shop ‘88-‘90!

[@wayneroyal3137]

So thrilled to watch these again, glad that the decision was made to rerelease the series…

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

No-brainer!

[@wayneroyal3137]

@@FighterPilotPodcast living in Bios home town I hope to meet him soon. Just awesome.

[@jaredsterenchock219]

As soon as I heard him say that I trust my pilot implicitly, That he had no control but he trusted him. That's when I hit the like button because this content is amazing I love it. Awesome job

[@Glashawk1]

I commented on this after the original broadcast but a little known issue with the AWG-9 is it would interfere with Navy / Marine PARs. It would create a weird strobe and sometimes a hatch pattern on our scopes. You’d still have a workable target but for safety, it was common to say “Victory 200, turn off your radar (AWG-9).” The interference would immediately disappear. Never an issue with the newer APGs.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Interesting.

[@hoghogwild]

For some reason I'm fascinated with the AIM-54C+ Active shot. That big missile going fully active right off the rail.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Like a mad dog getting off leash!

[@johnferguson1455]

Great stuff, looking forward to the next episode!

[@vrendus522]

Fantastic interview, thanks so much. Dan

[@michaelgrey7854]

His callsign should of been "ya know" :)

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Not funny.

[@219dale]

What an outstanding interview

[@chrisa.ger.5360]

Did see it the 3rd time now and still get new cool info 💪🏼great 🙏🏼🇺🇲🤝🏼🇩🇪🎗

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

😎

[@bobh37]

Gentlemen, thank you for sharing, cool stuff!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

👍

[@indy500tabasco8]

❤❤Great info from great pilots❤❤

[@fr6885]

Thanks again.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You're welcome.

[@johnb7490]

Great job gentlemen

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

🙏

[@BrentLeVasseur]

What is the maximum range that an AIM54C Phoenix can theoretically engage and kill a target? (Not the rated range but the absolute max range.)

[@99AudiMan09]

As a lifelong fan of the Tomcat, and now a DCS nerd, I freaking love this series on the F-14 and listening to the hosts and the guests talk about the jet. I really hate it was retired and almost all of the Tomcats were destroyed. But I'm aware it was designed in the 60's and built in the 70's. Just wish we could have gotten a newer fly by wire Tomcat

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

The flight controls were not the only concern; the Tomcat was not built with 'plug and play' avionics like the F/A-18 and so is difficult to troubleshoot and update. Also, the wingfold mechanism is big and complicated.

[@99AudiMan09]

@@FighterPilotPodcast fair points, there were a lot of areas that could be improved, particularly with the avionics as you said. While I admire the novelty of the wing sweep, as someone who works on stuff for a living, I also see potential maintenance issues and reliability issues. Though one of the previous episodes everyone said they almost never had issues with Wing sweep, but anything is subject to wear and tear.

[@99AudiMan09]

@@FighterPilotPodcast I guess I just wish there was a 2nd generation Tomcat, not like a B or D variant, but like a modernized version built in the '90s/2000's. Or even built currently! Just imagine!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@99AudiMan09 that would be amazing

[@lynskeyti9940]

The Aim 54 going after the jammer was cool. Imagine being out there running interference and the next thing you know is a missile going mach 5 blows through your canopy.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

That would suck.

[@gotanon9659]

Interestingly enough an iranian F-14 pilot claimed that the soviets while transfering Mig-25 to iraq said that they would sometimes send their Mig-25 jammer variant to test its capabilities against iranian flown tomcats, phantoms and tigers and said while it affected the Radars of the F-4 and F-5 it did not effect the AWG-9 and they let it known by sending an Aim-54 into its cockpit.

[@tomwilson1006]

Man I miss Crunch doing the Air Boss intro lol

[@tomwilson1006]

BOTH intros are awesome tho!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Can still catch it on the audio versions.

[@tomwilson1006]

Yes sir, also at the beginning of episode 1 here on YT. Thanks, both intros are great!

[@tedzehnder961]

It`s great to hear people who want to serve their country and not just use military service as a stepping stone for later in life.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

I think it's possible to both serve AND set yourself up for the future.

[@tedzehnder961]

There`s nothing wrong looking to the future but the longer they fly for the military the USA gets more for their money.And that`s good for the taxpayer.@@FighterPilotPodcast

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@tedzehnder961 true. That is why there is an 8-year "gremain" (agreement to remain on active duty), and that clock does not begin until wings are awarded.

[@shanan1124]

So, there are no longer “RIOs” in the navy?

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Nope. F/A-18F backseaters are “WSOs”

[@eatthisvr6]

is the role much different or not?@@FighterPilotPodcast

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@eatthisvr6 Sort of. In the F-4 and F-14, technology was such that an extra crewmember was required to run the radar and manage certain systems. These days, much of that can be automated but multi-crew platforms remain useful for certain high-intensity missions, like Forward Air Controlling.

[@eatthisvr6]

iv litterally just finished a 300+ mile airfield strike in shit weather at 200 feet all the way in on dcs! me and my lead ALMOST killed each other but we wrecked the airfield and got 2 great gifs out of it lol

[@markcorrigan3930]

21:45

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

...what about it?

[@hughscot]

Does a RIO ever fly the airplane or is he not a pilot?

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

RIOs are not pilots and there are no flight controls in the backseat.

[@tomwilson1006]

Yeah…..that wouldn’t have been a good idea to upset Rickover. Navy life would’ve been miserable after turning the Admiral down. Good choice. Lol

[@tronghungdao251]

👌👋👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

🙏