Grumman F-14 Tomcat | A Brief History Of The Iconic Aircraft | Upscaled

A brief history of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, including some rare and unseen upscaled footage.
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-capable supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after the General Dynamics-Grumman F-111B project collapsed. The F-14 was the first American Teen Series fighter, designed to incorporate air combat experience against MiG fighters during the Vietnam War.
The F-14 flew on December 21, 1970, and was first deployed in 1974 with the U.S. Navy aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), replacing the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The F-14 served as the U.S. Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor, and tactical aerial reconnaissance platform into the 2000s. The Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) pod system was added in the 1990s, and the Tomcat began performing precision ground-attack missions.
In the 1980s, F-14s were used as land-based interceptors by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force during the Iran-Iraq War, where they saw combat against Iraqi warplanes. Iran claimed their F-14s shot down at least 160 Iraqi aircraft during the war (only 55 of these confirmed, according to historian Tom Cooper), while 16 Tomcats were lost, including seven losses to accidents
The Tomcat was retired by the U.S. Navy on 22 September 2006, having been supplanted by the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Several retired F-14s have been put on display across the US. The F-14 remains in service with Iran's air force, having been exported to Iran under the Pahlavi dynasty in 1976.
Beginning in the late 1950s, the U.S. Navy sought a long-range, high-endurance interceptor to defend its carrier battle groups against long-range anti-ship missiles launched from the jet bombers and submarines of the Soviet Union. They proposed a Fleet Air Defense (FAD) aircraft with a more powerful radar and longer-range missiles than the F-4 Phantom II to intercept enemy bombers and missiles at very long range. Studies into this concept led to the Douglas F6D Missileer project of 1959. Still, this large subsonic aircraft appeared unable to defend itself once it fired its missiles, and the project was canceled in December 1961.
General characteristics
Crew: 2 (Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer)
Length: 62 ft 9 in (19.13 m)
Wingspan: 64 ft 1.5 in (19.545 m)
Swept wingspan: 38 ft 2.5 in (11.646 m) swept
Height: 16 ft (4.9 m)
Wing area: 565 sq ft (52.5 m2) wings only
1,008 sq ft (94 m2) effective area including fuselage
Airfoil:
Grumman (1.74)(35)(9.6)-(1.1)(30)(1.1) root
Grumman (1.27)(30)(9.0)-(1.1)(40)(1.1) tip
Empty weight: 43,735 lb (19,838 kg)
Gross weight: 61,000 lb (27,669 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 74,350 lb (33,725 kg)
Fuel capacity: 16,200 lb (7,348 kg) internal fuel; 2 × optional 267 US gal (222 imp gal; 1,010 l) / 1,756 lb (797 kg) external tanks
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F110-GE-400 afterburning turbofans, 16,610 lbf (73.9 kN) thrust each dry, 28,200 lbf (125 kN) with afterburner
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.34 (1,544 mph, 2,485 km/h) at altitude
Range: 1,600 nmi (1,800 mi, 3,000 km)
Combat range: 500 nmi (580 mi, 930 km)
Service ceiling: 53,000 ft (16,000 m) plus
g limits: +7.5
Rate of climb: 45,000 ft/min (230 m/s) plus
Wing loading: 96 lb/sq ft (470 kg/m2)
48 lb/sq ft (230 kg/m2) effective
Thrust/weight: 0.92 at gross weight (1.07 with loaded weight & 50% internal fuel)
Armament
Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled rotary cannon, with 675 rounds
Hardpoints: 10 total: 6× under-fuselage, 2× under nacelles, and 2× on wing gloves with a capacity of 14,500 lb (6,600 kg) of ordnance and fuel tanks, with provisions to carry combinations of:
Rockets: 7x LAU-10 rocket pods (for a total of 28 rockets)
Missiles: AIM-54 Phoenix, AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles:
Bombs:
JDAM precision-guided munition (PGMs)
Paveway series of laser-guided bombs
Mk 80 series of unguided iron bombs
Mk 20 Rockeye II cluster munition
Other:
Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS)
LANTIRN Targeting System (LTS) pod (AN/AAQ-14)
2× 267 US gal (1,010 l; 222 imp gal) drop tanks for extended range/loitering time
Avionics
Hughes AN/APG-71 radar
AN/ALR-67 radar warning receiver
AN/AAS-42 infrared search and track, AAX-1 TCS
AN/ASN-130 Inertial navigation system
Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) upgrade
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[@joemoore4027]

I worked for Grumman Aerospace on Long Island, N.Y. at the main final assembly plant #6 in Calverton.. It was an honor to help build all the Tomcat models and prototypes over 15 years. It was a very sad day watching the last F-14 leave the plant. A truly great naval fighter, period.

[@suzbs123]

Hi. I worked for Grumman Aircraft systems composite plant in Milledgeville GA from 1984 to 1990. I was very proud of the work we did. I even got to do a TDY in Bethpage which opened my eyes to what Grumman was all about. It as my first job from college in 1984 and I remember it like it was yesterday. Loved Grumman.

[@joemoore4027]

@@suzbs123 I had a passion for working for Grumman and to see the front gate close I could not look back. People would always say, " wow you work on F-14's ! '. I truly miss working there. Nice to hear from a fellow Grummanite after all these years. Be safe.

[@FallenAngel-it7so]

That must have been an exhilarating experience to sit in the cockpit of that beautiful aircraft it has so much view !

[@douglasfortin9711]

As a third generation X Grumman employee (E2-C) I always considered the F-14 to be Grumman's last hurrah before the banker took over.

[@joshuajuarez3471]

Word

[@ogrehaslayers605]

The banker? What happened?

[@douglasfortin9711]

@@ogrehaslayers605 Grumman was always run by aircraft people. Leroy Grumman and Jake Swirbul were names I constantly heard as a kid. They were revered! The Grumman family. When I started there in 1981 the last aircraft guy ran the company - - I think his name was Beirwith (?). He actually walked around and talked to the workers. When he left the banker took over and couldn't sell the company quick enough, and shove all the money in their pockets. It's very popular - - they even make movies about it.

[@ogrehaslayers605]

@@douglasfortin9711 thanks! I gotta look into this more!

[@douglasfortin9711]

@@ogrehaslayers605 There is one thing I remember most vividly and kind of epitomizes what happened. When I first worked there (1981) there was an attempt at a hostile takeover by LTV Corperation. I remember attending a rally led by Jack Bierwith ( not sure of name and spelling - - it's been a long time) on the runway in Bethpage to prevent the takeover. Then a couple of years later after he had left it was lets sell as quick as possible, line our pockets, throw the worker on to the street, and move on to the next one. And don't let anyone tell you different - - that's what happened!

[@ronaryel6445]

Very important factual errors: Contrary to this documentary, Iranian F-14s did fly, fought successfully during the Iran-Iraq War and scored many kills with the Phoenix missile, as well ax US Hawk SAMS repurposed as air to air missiles. The F-14 also served as an AWACS of sorts for the Iranians. Also, the software and hardware bugs suffered by the Tomcat were not fully worked out until the mid to late 1970s and the trouble with the TF-30 turbofan was never completely solved. The arrival of the GE F110 engine made the latter moot for 130 Tomcats. Another error: During Operation 6 on 6, four Phoenix missiles scored direct hits, including against a drone flying at Mach 1.2. The fifth Phoenix passed within lethal distance (for a proximity fuse) of its target. The last target failed and dropped out of the sky by itself, so the sixth missile had nothing to hit. The first movie to star the Tomcat was 1980's The Final Countdown, a movie in which the USS Nimitz travels back in time to the Pearl Harbor of World War II. Top Gun was the second movie starring the Tomcat.

[@darkknight1340]

A beautiful aircraft that was retired far too soon.

[@hoghogwild]

34 years of service of service is damned impressive esp. considering the catapult launches and arrested landings.

[@yorkan213swd6]

Don‘t worry the Iranians are still flying them .

[@dizzysquirrel7292]

The first movie that the Tomcat appeared in was the movie The Final Countdown

[@steven-bc7ts]

I love that movie.

[@mikehuff5459]

I worked 24 years on Tomcat as an AE. Retired as an AECS. Anytime baby!

[@Rockstago]

@DroneScapes - You just keep giving us unique & rare footage about these planes your audience love! THANK YOU! We love being able to view content that's not available anywhere else!

[@vitorhugolinonovais2861]

The best, beautiful plane I've see. Good or not, glad that still exist in some countries.

[@manfromks]

Iran?!?

[@davidvonslingshot]

as someone who’s watched Top Gun 37014 times I can say for sure this documentary is accurate. “International Relations” could only be done in an F-14. Thanks Grumman!

[@davidregier1463]

Thank you for making this awesome footage available for we aviation buffs to watch and rewatch. Keep up the good work!

[@skrolkable]

"...They were fine, they were on our bowling team that night." - Tom.

[@robcost916]

I have sat in the cockpit what a jet. This is the most beautiful fighter ever made. My fav as a kid and still my fav today.

[@mreastvegasryancarter8409]

Another amazing documentary. Very well done! Semper Rah ❤

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

As someone who once saw and heard the F14 at my state's (now discontinued) air show in the 90s, it left a lasting impression on me. The 15, 16, and 18 just don't do it for me. At a later air show, I got to see the F22 Raptor, which is a great plane in its own right, but the 14 is still my favorite.

[@jeffalvich9434]

The "Missile" like aircraft you are referring are not- they were target drone aircraft called "FireBee" that was built by a small family-owned company in San Diego, California for Hughes Aircraft- and yes, they flew at mach1+ and typically launched from another aircraft or a ground based "sled"

[@richardbartlett1294]

Great information, good picture coverage, need a good editing job. F104??

[@Shawn-d5n]

I miss working on Tomcats.

[@jeffalvich9434]

Hughes Aircraft Company also operated the avionic/weapons systems flight crew simulator (different simulator than the one for maintenance) which was located in Los Angeles, California in an unmarked building on 104th street, just west of LAX. During the "life" of the program, there were over 150 missile tests against "live targets". The Phoenix was a long range missile (as compared to the sparrow and sidewinder- well over the stated range in this video)- it was a challenge to try to get this long range missile which was 18 feet long and weighing 1k pounds to work in a short range environment, which is why the sidewinder & sparrow missiles were incorporated. The range also increases significantly the higher the altitude and the Phoenix had a range of 200 miles. The falcon missile (AIM 47 which is what the phoenix was predicated upon) which by comparison had 50% the range of the phoenix, but when launch in the FY12, had a range of 500 miles.

[@maciejprandota9542]

This is an legendary machine.thunderbolt machines are so strong pilots can go up like in a regular rocket

[@davidkelly7459]

The f14 tomcat is the awesome airplane and still can do the job today❤

[@SliceofLife7777]

Over 3 decades of unmatched air superiority. Nobody could match it. Today's leading militaries boast 100 mile air to air missles. This bird was test launching the Phoenix missle in April of 1972. (I stand corrected)

[@manfromks]

AIM-54 first flew on the F-111 before 1970. Tomcat didn't fly until 1973.

[@SliceofLife7777]

@@manfromks Yes, thanks.

[@theaquarian5849]

Anytime, Baby!

[@roberttalarsky4238]

14 we're just coming into the fleet when I was going out

[@leeg4804]

Good evening sir what did you fly

[@echo1nine]

who else glanced down at their Line 6 HD pedal board when she said "jammer POD"?

[@charlesmak534]

Once they got rid of that original TF-30 and replaced it with the F110 engine...

[@hoghogwild]

They never got rid of the TF30, most F-14 were retired with TF30s as there were so few F-14B and D variants built 478-A variants for US Navy + 81 F-14B variants 38 new build B and 43 B rebuilt from A known as F-14B(R) + 55 F-14D variants with 37 new build D and 18 D rebuilt from A known as F-14D(R)= 614 F-14 of all variants built for the US Navy, plus 79 F-14A and 274 Phoenix delivered to Iran.

[@aaustria3716]

the f14 was a thing of beauty and loved the aircraft. but growing up in the 60's the phantom is my fav.

[@bodazaphfa]

I had my hands in many A/B/D Tomcats. One of the best workhorses I’ve ever dealt with. Now I’m dealing with the F/A-18E/F throw-away lawn darts that’re post-SLEM aircraft that’re under-designed and over-engineered.

[@tippo5341]

Thank you @DroneScapes for bringing us all that beautiful piece on probably the most beautiful of fighter aircraft to grace the skies after having been flung off a carrier!!! I'd imagine many of you might already be subs of Ward Carroll's, if not though, head across to his channel, great content no matter the issue at hand. He also had a cameo in this video with the Punk's trilogy of books noted and mentioned the brotherhood the pilot and RIO formed!!!!

[@mikelang4191]

My dad retired a Lt Colonel in the RCAF in 1981. He unfortunately passed in 1984 and in his belongings I found a model F14 with Canadian markings complete with functioning swing wings. I've often wondered if it was bring considered for Canada or did someone just do a novelty build.

[@Whitefox-r9x]

Navy retires the Tomcat *Everyone disliked that*

[@NDAGR-]

The most beautiful fighter jet of all time. I know. It’s just my opinion

[@GuyRips]

Imagine the blue angels in f14 format,,,good lord,what a show with the cobra stance,and wing,,,

[@hamidbright541]

The most hunts and records of F-14 have been shown by iranian pilots (more than 150 hunts)! such as crash down three Mig-23s by a Pheonix missile , 12 hours non stop flight over the persian gulf , the longest range hunt by a Pheonix missile (100 miles) and hunting the fastest fighter in the world (Mig-25) !!!

[@Dronescapes]

Here is the account on those F-14s made by a person that lived that event: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXvNp4Jqm7t5e9k

[@hamidbright541]

@@Dronescapesyeah, I saw it however you didn’t pay to the Iranian pilot’s records in it!!

[@michaellingg1852]

You never felt anything in your chest like an F-14 on a high speed flyby. The F-15 was close but just not quite the same.

[@fazbearentertainment4240]

Love the videos but the caption for something reason are off and show things before their said in parts of the video with no talking.

[@ronaryel6445]

Some very nice interviews, but the film includes no interviews with Hughes engineers and no interviews with Garrett AirResearch engineers, who created the General Air Data Computer governing the swing wings.

[@johnathondavis5208]

Funny listening to a cougar talk about tomcats :0

[@TOMCATnbr]

Best plane ever ❤️ For ever Tomcat, baby!!

[@TWOCOWS1]

The most wondrous fighter bomber ever. Awesome looks (not the sexiest: F111 was), and the most versatile against any enemy fire power. Even in the hands of the Iranian pilots, the score was Iran:159, Iraq:7. The Iraqis were using top of the line French (Super Etandards) and Soviet (Mig 32) planes,. F14 made a short shrift out of them all

[@robertlewis1965]

Wildcat Hellcat Tigercat Bearcat Tomcat ALL THE GREATEST

[@duanepierson4375]

To bad that Grumman had no connection to Halliburton. Other wise Dick Cheney would not have tried 3 times to kill before he finally did. He did profit off of Northrup Grumman however. Ward Carol explains the end of the Tomcat fairly well. I know that a F-14 has parity with the F-15, especially after the F110 engine swap.

[@daveminion6209]

F14 Was just DEAD SEXY is what it was!!! lol.

[@maciejprandota9542]

This was agreAt plane even though years it is still good

[@vitorhugolinonovais2861]

F35, F22 as some technical problem and some crash

[@delf197810]

Too bad that they dont have some of them in flying status today, even for air-show purposes. Seeing them as static exhibit is one thing...but seeing them flying is another.

[@Kevin-jn4bb]

So, how does painting it white on bottom and gray on top protect it against a nuclear blast????????

[@life_of_riley88]

5:20 WOW! The first black F14? How progressive of those Navy guys. . .to think a young, disadvantaged, plane of color could one day become a real life fighter jet!

[@johnb3829]

Great planes, but when they were parked they leak hydraulic fluid like crazy. I once asked why couldn’t you tighten the fittings to stop the leaks to where I was told, if you fix the leak you broke the plane. I guess everything expanded when the plane was in flight.

[@donfacundo2118]

The navy said that Tomcat is the greatest fighter aircraft ever made. Why not redevelop it instead of creating new planes that are not that good? Just asking.

[@kc72186]

I have have 3 hours in a F14 flight simulator unfortunately I have never flown one, eyesight wasn't good enough. I got 3 kills in the simulator though. I missed my calling because of eyesight.

[@Joe-rx7ht]

The Air Force should’ve picked the Northrop, F-23 Black Widow II, to replace the aging F-15 Eagle. The Lockheed, F-22 should’ve gone to the Navy and received the Lightning II name instead of Raptor, to replace the retired F-14 Tomcat. The Lockheed, F-35 should’ve received the Raptor name (F-35 Raptor has a better ring to it). And on track to replace the Marines AV-8B Harrier and F-18A/B Hornet, with the F-35B. Air Force gets its F-35A to replace the F-16 Fighting Falcon. And the Navy gets its F-35C to replace the F-18C/D Hornets. The F-18E/F Super Hornet, currently made by Boeing, should’ve never been a thing. And finally… The Northrop, X-47B autonomous flying wing, should’ve been green lighted and gone to the Navy. Imagine how advanced and how stealthy powerful our American air power would be by now. Just imagine.

[@petefroehling8704]

is she related to Bing ?

[@joshnelson4532]

I was struggling to remember her name and your comment helped me figure it out. Thanks

[@kc72186]

​@@joshnelson4532is that Ann Margaret?

[@DiamondPaintWithDiamondDave]

@@kc72186 no, her last name was Crosby, she hosted a TV show in the 80's with Fran Tarkington and another guy named Skip called "That's Incredible"

[@kellyschram5486]

Letting this aircraft go was the stupidest thing the us navy ever did. If they made new ones now they will still be better than what they have. Yes it will be a gen 4.5 but it will still be better than the 18 and in many ways the 35. We needed the 14 back and there was already an upgraded design for it. It kick the 18's back side.

[@danielmeador1991]

😂

[@troutfanboy4149]

“Brief”

[@GuyRips]

Is there a crew that could get a f14 up,,,if one from iran was not in iran,,,??!

[@csw20020101]

12:01 are you kidding? There are numerous documented engagements by F14 in the hands of airforce of Islamic Iranian Republic against Iraq during the Iran Iraq War.

[@AndreVanDiggelen-wl3fx]

The US Navy has had every opportunity (and well over a billion dollars) to develop a new stealthy Mach 2 plane with an 1800+ mile range. In fact its had at least 3 opportunities since the retirement of the F-14 but petty bickering, price gouging vendors and beyound dense congressmen have pissed away both money and plans. Its exactly that same circumstances that will be the reason if we fall behind China in military superiority. Sadly it's an epidemic across nearly every US Navy program. The US Airforce is only slightly doing better with Army showing the rest how its done.

[@petertekippe5391]

The fact this video doesn’t not mention The Final Countdown is utterly disgusting. 👎

[@maciejprandota9542]

One of my biggest dream is having a flight ass a passenger at 1,5 mach at low level.flying ass a passenger in boanings andd airbuses is very practical but Boring

[@Chuong.Y2k]

Mig23 start since 1967 and F14....1970 ????

[@igorzeitgeist5153]

Wy you talk sghit about the boss...... The boss and the bug

[@severs1966]

Amusing to hear the narrator asserting that the F-14 never flew "for the Ayatollah" (that is, for the IRIAF). Actually, one of the greatest F-14 aces flew in exactly this role. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalil_Zandi en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Iranian_aerial_victories_during_the_Iran%E2%80%93Iraq_war