The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a multi-mission fighter aircraft. Originally designed as an air superiority fighter to overcome any potential threat to the battle group, has taken many other important missions today as ground attack (including laser-guided bombs) and tactical reconnaissance.
In the air superiority role the F-14 has a weapon like no other: the AIM-54 Phoenix missile with a range of access of 100 miles. Six of these missiles can be fired air targets and focus on cruise missiles or enemy bombers input independently. Other air-air weapons are the AIM-9 Sidewinder heat Seaking standard short range missile, the AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range missile, the AIM-120 AMRAAM (advanced medium range air to air missile) and of course the M61A Vulcan cannon 6000 rounds per minute.
The capacity of air-land was not long trained in the F-14 community. Although the original 1970 design includes air-ground capability, only in recent years, the F-14 was again a fighter-bomber. Not only iron bombs and cluster bombs can be delivered, but also the latest laser-guided munitions. In doing so, the F-14 can also identify and mark their own objectives with the LANTIRN (low altitude navigation and targeting infrared night) of the sheath. So even after more than 25 years of service with the U.S. Navy the F-14 Tomcat is - despite the aging - a more capable fighter.
