If you want to say which model is the most beautiful third-generation aircraft in the world, the vast majority of military fans will vote for the US Navy F-14 "Tomcat" carrier-based fighter without hesitation.

If you want to say which model is the most beautiful third-generation aircraft in the world, the vast majority of military fans will vote for the US Navy F-14 "Tomcat" carrier-based fighter without hesitation. As the first third-generation aircraft that attracted countless fans, the Tomcat has been on the battlefield for more than 30 years. In the end, it was completely replaced by the Hornet. The U.S. Navy chose to retire the F-14 and replace it with the F/A-18E/F, which inevitably made many cat fans cry bitterly. Many people in the U.S. Navy have always believed that the F/A-18E/F is inferior to the F-14. The F-14 was retired at that time because of limited funds. Congress was unwilling to spend more on improving the F-14, so it was a last resort.

In 1970, the F-14 was finalized after four years of development. At the end of the year, its first prototype, the XF-14A, made a perfect first flight. Its fully deployed variable sweep wings were as stunning as a peacock's tail. Qunfang. However, during the second flight, the main and backup hydraulic systems failed at the same time, and the two pilots ejected to escape, causing the plane to crash.

Grumman signed a treaty with the U.S. Navy in 1969 and will sell 429 F-14A mass-produced aircraft at a fixed price in the next few years. The inflationary pressure has to be borne by Grumman itself. It can be said that the cost of building one is to lose one.

F14 Tomcat fighter jets and AIM154 Phoenix missiles are a perfect combination of long-range air control. Its detection range is more than 200 kilometers, and the detection range of the Soviet Union radar , combined with the Phoenix missile with a maximum range of 190 kilometers, can allow it to operate at several speeds. The ability to intercept and shoot down Soviet supersonic bombers from a distance of 100 kilometers is worthy of bragging even now.

In February 1975, the YF-17, which was equipped with dual engines and had multi-purpose development potential, was cooperated by Northrop Company and McDonnell Douglas. It was redesigned and named F-18. Therefore, had it not been for the persistence of the U.S. Navy, there would probably have been no Hornet.

Previously, the YF-17 was defeated by General Dynamics 's YF-16 in the ACF (Air Force fighter ) project bidding. Interestingly, if General Dynamics loses, it is likely to win the NACF project with the YF-16 carrier-based aircraft model it cooperates with LTV.

In 1983, the F-18 officially entered service, 9 years later than the F-14. In 1988, after a series of improvements, the F-14 was improved in terms of mines, avionics, and missile mounts, and was named the F-14D "Super Tomcat." In 2006, the F-14 was officially retired. Since then, the deck of the US aircraft carrier has been dominated by the F/A-18E/F.

Although many cat fans still believe that the Tomcat is still not inferior to the Hornet in air combat, it was eventually abandoned. There are many reasons. First of all, as an epoch-making fighter aircraft, the F-14 is indeed very strong in air combat. The F14 can conduct a 120-minute combat cruise at a distance of 280 kilometers from the aircraft carrier. When cruising at a distance of 470 kilometers from the fleet, this data can still reach close to an hour. This performance is unmatched even today. Therefore, F14 is the most efficient carrier-based interceptor in history.

But unfortunately, the latest carrier-based aircraft developed in recent years, such as the American F/A-18E/F and the Chinese J-15, are equipped with the latest fire control radar , advanced optoelectronic and electronic countermeasures systems, Advanced medium-range missiles have powerful beyond-visual-range combat capabilities, but the F14 is still outclassed.

Next is the variable swept wing. Although it brings excellent take-off and landing performance and high-altitude and high-speed performance, it also increases the structural weight, so it is rarely used in fighter jets in the future. Ordinary fixed wings can also be used through good aerodynamic design. Get decent performance.

Many cat fans complained, why don’t my cats be equipped with radars? In fact, the reason why the F-14 was eventually eliminated was not only because of its air combat capabilities, but more importantly because of its single function and its advantages only in air combat. In the Gulf War and the Iraq War, even the F-14D with ground attack capabilities seemed inadequate. Moreover, when the Iraq War broke out , the US military also conducted emergency modifications on it for two weeks, and it indeed completed the combat mission relatively well. However, due to his old age and limited ability to attack land, he could not escape the fate of retirement.

The retirement of the F14 Tomcat is not because of the low efficiency of heavy carrier-based fighter jets, but because the F-14's air combat efficiency is too high, so high that it has no opponent, and it has become a pure waste. In contrast, the Hornet is different. It has the characteristics of a multi-purpose fighter from the beginning. With further upgrades, it will undoubtedly win the favor of the United States under the general trend of the era of multi-service joint operations. This is destined to have the opportunity to dominate the sea and air at the moment.

"The birds are gone, but the bows are hidden". The disintegration of the Soviet Union made the F14 Tomcat lose its opponents and could only retire with regret! The F14 Tomcat retired in a legendary manner. Throughout its service period, this most beautiful third-generation aircraft failed to meet a comparable opponent. It is no wonder that many people like and miss it. If China had the Liaoning and the Liaoning around 2000, J-15 carrier-based aircraft , then the US Navy will never let the F14 Tomcat retire early!