F-14A TOMCAT VF-111 SUNDOWNERS MODEL

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin engine, two-seat, variable sweep wing, two-place strike fighter manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Corporation.

F-14 was the United States Navys primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor and tactical reconnaissance platform from 1974 to 2006. The F-14 first entered service in 1972 with the U.S. Navy, replacing the F-4 Phantom II. The F-14A variant is a a two-set all-weather interceptor fighter version for the US Navy and modifications late in its service life added precision strike munitions to its armament. There were 545 F-14A delivered to the US Navy and 79 to Iran. The final 102 F-14As were delivered with improved TF30-P-414A engines. An additional F-14A was manufactured for Iran, but was delivered to the US Navy.

The Tomcat is capable of deploying air-to-ground ordnance in various configurations, while simultaneously carrying the AIM-7, AIM-9 and AIM-54 air-to-air missiles. The F-14 has an airspeed of Mach 2+ and it was scheduled to remain in service through at least 2008.

On September 22, 2006, the F-14 retired from the U.S. Navy fleet and was replaced by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. As of 2007, it remains in service only with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.