The F-14 Tomcat was equipped with a powerful weapons system known as the AWG-9, which could support the AIM-54 Phoenix long-range air-to-air missile, to carry out the fleet’s air defense task
The awesome video in this post, titled “F-14: Defenders Of The Fleet,” will make any fan of the Tomcat cry.
The footage was shot during the era when the storied F-14A Tomcat controlled the flight decks of American Navy aircraft carriers as the main fighter for maritime air superiority and fleet defense interceptor.
The American teen-series fighters, which were created to combine air combat expertise against MiG fighters during the Vietnam War, were introduced with the Grumman F-14A Tomcat, as we have already explained.
Nevertheless, even though the F-14 was a capable dogfighter, the Tomcat stood out for its use in fleet air defense. The AWG-9, a potent weapons system that could support the AIM-54 Phoenix, which had an unheard-of 100-mile range and a small onboard radar to direct the missile to the target during the last phase of flight, was installed on the aircraft to carry out this operation.
So take some time and watch this clip with the most fierce fighter ever built, into action.
Anytime Baby…!
Photo by U.S. Navy