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"The Super Tomcat 21 is a proposed multi-role adaptation of the F-14D Tomcat. It was proposed as a low-cost alternative to the Naval ATF, and drew heavily on the work done on Grumman's "Quickstrike" proposal.
Like the "Quickstrike", the Super Tomcat 21 was to have a FLIR, and was to be provided with more modes for its APG-71 radar, such as synthetic aperture and Doppler Beam Sharpening for mapping. The new multimode radar would have a two-dimensional, passive, electronically scanned array giving twice the power of AN/APG-71 of the F-14D. All of the FLIRS would be located on either side of the aircraft just below the nose. Four underfuselage hardpoints would have five munitions substations each, while the two wing glove pylons would have two substations. Navigation and targeting pods could be installed. The Super Tomcat 21 differed, however, from the Quickstrike in making an attempt to reduce its radar cross section by a significant amount. In addition, it was to have been powered by improved F110-GE-129 turbofan engines which offered "supercruise" (the ability to achieve sustained supersonic cruising speeds without the need for afterburning) and would even have included thrust vectoring capability. It was anticipated that the 35 percent increase in thrust would allow the aircraft to supercruise at Mach 1.3 with four air-to-air missiles. The Super Tomcat 21 would also have featured enlarged tailplanes with extended trailing edges giving greater area, plus newly-configured wing gloves housing additional internal fuel. It would also have featured increased-lift slotted flaps and extended-chord leading edge wing slats to allow no-wind carrier takeoffs or conventional carrier takeoffs at higher loaded weights. A new more powerful radar suite would be fitted, and the weapons delivery capability would be markedly enhanced by the adoption of helmet-mounted sights. The crew would have a single-piece canopy.
The combat radius of the Super Tomcat 21 would have been almost twice that of the F-14D. More than twice the expendables would be carried by the Super Tomcat 21, with BOZ chaff dispensers carried on LAU-7 launchers and 135 chaff/flare packets instead of 60 as carried on the F-14D. The revised airframe would have hade 25 percent greater lift and 15 percent lower landing speed.
The Attack Super Tomcat 21 was based on the Super Tomcat 21 but had thicker outer wing panels that carried more fuel. In addition, the aircraft would have provision for carrying larger external fuel tanks. Refinements to the leading-edge slats and the trailing-edge flaps were to give a 18-mph reduction in the landing approach speed. The aircraft was to have had the Norden radar that had been developed for the abortive General Dynamics/McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II. The Attack Super Tomcat 21 has received quite a bit of attention as a potential alternative to the cancelled A-12.
However, in the present military drawdown mode, both of these Tomcat 21 proposals were never proceeded with. "
None of the above - If the CNO really wanted the aircraft, he would of gotten it but would have had to given up something. It isn't a matter of taking something away from the Navy and giving it to the Air Force.sort of begs the question...was the f-14 defeated in the air, or was it defeated on the ground, in the US senate. Wouldnt be the first time the Navy has suffered its worst defeat at the hands of a pro-air force government...thats basically how the RAN lost its carrier in '83
None of the above - If the CNO really wanted the aircraft, he would of gotten it but would have had to given up something. It isn't a matter of taking something away from the Navy and giving it to the Air Force.
I do know this much - it was rumored in the industry that in the 80s and 90s some folks from Grumman pissed off some DoD folks. In the end it may of played into the Northrop take over, but we'll never know the details. Since the mid 80 the Joint Chiefs have a lot more to say on high dollar procurement items than before and I think this was in response to Jimmy Carter killing the B-1 even though the Air Force wanted the aircraft.The Navy got the Super Hornet so they really did not lose out except possibly got a less capable aircraft. I still believe that it was a decision based on politics and perhaps to keep MD in business. That is just an opinion and maybe based on a fondness for the F14 and Grumman and not on reality. I hope I am wrong!
I do know this much - it was rumored in the industry that in the 80s and 90s some folks from Grumman pissed off some DoD folks. In the end it may of played into the Northrop take over, but we'll never know the details. Since the mid 80 the Joint Chiefs have a lot more to say on high dollar procurement items than before and I think this was in response to Jimmy Carter killing the B-1 even though the Air Force wanted the aircraft.
Right now the USAF is dumping a lot of programs so it could pay for both the F-22 and F-35. Look how quickly the F-117A was dumped - BTW the entire -117 fleet was just refurbished a few years ago. The cost to keep operating the aircraft gave additional funding to the other pet projects listed.
The DoD budget has major reviews (as you know) on Systems, Spares/Maintenance, Personnel, Facilities and Future Programs above and Beyond War Fighting/Deployment. Each service puts it's own priotized plan together - usually based on prior year budget but encouraged to show some basis on zero base budget.
Whether we think Rumsfeld sucked or had good ideas, the integration between services in Mission was better IMO during his custody and will have to go even farther over next couple of years.
If we think Carter was Bad wait til we get Barack. DoD will probably get hit immediately and have to cut back ~ 50% if the Blue Dog Dems will line up with Obama. Future Programs? Bet major cuts in F22 and bigger in F-35.
I haven't seen anyone from the Left Wing Community who think NASA is worth doing either.
Clinton was bad - Obama will be unimaginable.
Spot on Bill - this is 1976 all over again - I'm growing my hair long and getting out my polyester leasure suit!
It was a very different world when he was president and during the only time he attempted to flex military muscle it turned out to be a disaster because of the state of the military while he was president for 3 years.at least carter had the sense to avoid major conflict.
I hope they do not try to pass a bill to re-introduce disco!
As far as those currently deployed - I doubt they will see any affects of this in the short term. If equipment maintenance and procurement of new material is cut back then they'll eventually see the effects as happened to Carter's little fiasco in the Iranian desert.
In all fairness there was a lot of benifits in the "Bombcat," but it's easy to make this statement when you're not fixing the thing either.he said he believed the government made a big mistake choosing the FA 18 E/F over the Strike Tomcat.