Article 9544 of rec.aviation.military:
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From: jfb@usgp1.ih.att.com (Joe Baugher)
Subject: New Fighter Series--Grumman F-14 Tomcat (9 of 14)
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Summary: F-14D
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Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 03:30:15 GMT
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The F-14D designation had originally been assigned to a cost-reduced, 
stripped version of the Tomcat, proposed at a time when the 
rapidly-increasing cost of the F-14A was causing great concern.  This 
project never achieved fruition.  

The F-14D that is known today originated back in 1984 as an advanced 
Tomcat derivative that was to be developed in parallel with the 
F-14A(Plus).  Both variants were to be powered by the 27,600 lb.s.t.  
Pratt & Whitney F110-PW-400 turbofan, designed to remedy some of the 
defects of the TF30, particularly the problems with compressor stall, 
but the F-14D was to possess a much more advanced avionics suite.  

The avionics suite of the F-14D was to be centered around the Hughes 
AN/APG-71 radar.  The APG-71 radar is a digital processing system that 
replaces the AWG-9 of the F-14A and gives the F-14D improved detection 
and tracking range.  The APG-71 is a development of the APG-70 used in 
the F-15E Strike Eagle.  It features a low-sidelobe antenna, a 
sidelobe-blanking guard channel, and monopulse angle tracking, all of 
which are intended to make the radar less vulnerable to jamming.  

The F-14D is equipped with dual AYK-14 Standard Airborne Computers.  
The F-14D is a "digital ship", based on a multiprocessor MIL-STD-1553B 
database system to which all the avionics are connected.  

On the F-14A, integration of the missiles was handled by the AWG-9, 
but on the F-14D this is done by a digital stores management system.  

The F-14D is provided with a dual chin pod under the nose that 
contains both a Television Camera System (TCS) and an Infrared Search 
and Track (IRST) system.  Previous Tomcat versions carried one or the 
other of these systems, but not both.  

The wing glove box leading edge extensions of the F-14D were 
recontoured to house antennae for the ALR-45, for the Itek ALR-67 
radar-warning receiver and for an AN/ALQ-165 airborne self protection 
jammer.  The ALR-67 incorporates both the traditional crystal-video 
pattern type of receiver used for radar warning, plus a 
superheterodyne receiver receiver controlled by a high-speed 
reprogrammable digital processor.  This makes it more flexible in the 
face of evolving threats.  

The F-14D uses the ASN-130 digital inertial navigational system, which 
is also used by the F/A-18A.  The new ASN-139 laser inertial 
navigation system is designed to be compatible with the -130.  

In addition, the F-14D has equipment for onboard oxygen generation and 
features revised cockpit displays with night vision goggle capability.  
It is equipped with the new Martin Baker Mk 14 Navy Aircrew Common 
Ejection Seats (NACES), which offer the possibility of higher-velocity 
escapes (up to 700 knots in level flight and 600 knots at any 
attitude).  

In contrast to the F-14A, all of the F-14Ds are capable of carrying 
the TARPS reconnaissance pod.  

The F-14D can make an operational sortie 150 miles from the carrier, 
loiter for two hours, and retain sufficient fuel reserves for several 
passes on its return to the carrier.  

In support of the F-14D development program, four TF30-powered F-14As 
were converted, serials being 161865, 161867, 162595, and 161623.  
F-14A BuNo 161865 was modified as an avionics test bed for the F-14D 
program and flew for the first time on November 23, 1987.  It had 
F-14D's APG-71 radar, digitized avionics and cockpit, but retained the 
TF30 engines.  In 1988, 161867 was fitted with a pair of F110-GE-400s 
to become the first fully-configured F-14D.  This aircraft flew for 
the first time on April 21, 1988, piloted by Tom Cavanaugh.  It was 
later brought up to partial F-14D configuration with the D-model's 
avionics and radar.  162595 and 161623 were both powered by TF30 
turbofans and made their maiden flights on May 31 and September 21, 
1988, respectively, and were used for radar and stores management 
integration, ECM and RWR testing, and IRST and TCS integration, plus 
live weapons firing and JTIDS development and systems verification.  

The first production F-14D was first flown on February 9, 1990 and was 
displayed in a March 23, 1990 ceremony at Calverton.  Externally, the 
most obvious difference between the F-14D and the F-14A is the 
presence of the dual chin pod under the nose of the F-14D that 
contains both the Television Camera System (TCS) and the Infrared 
Search and Track (IRST).  

Grumman had hoped to deliver at least 12 "new-build" F-14Ds to the 
Navy every year through 1998, while also remanufacturing many of the 
earlier F-14As to F-14D standards.  However, in 1989 Secretary of 
Defense Dick Cheney decided that the entire F-14D program should be 
terminated in an economy move.  Newspaper and TV advertisements did 
nothing to persuade Cheney to change his mind.  However, the Navy 
still wanted more F-14Ds, and Secretary of the Navy H.  Lawrence 
Garrett issued a strong appeal for at least 132 "new-build" F-14Ds 
from 1992 onward.  Secretary Cheney turned this proposal down flat, 
and went a step further in March 1991, and deleted all F-14D 
production funds from the FY 1992 budget.  This was a catastrophe for 
Grumman, stopping Tomcat production in its tracks and forcing massive 
layoffs.  

Thirty-seven of the planned 127 new-build F-14Ds were completed before 
the program was cancelled.  The last F-14D was delivered to the Navy 
on July 20, 1992.  Another 18 F-14Ds were produced by conversions of 
existing F-14As, these planes being redesignated F-14D(R) upon 
completion of the conversions.  A total of 104 F-14D(R) conversions 
were originally planned, but the program was cut way back in the 1989 
budget reduction.  The six F-14D(R) aircraft of FY90 were spared the 
axe, but 98 planned conversions funded between FY91 and FY95 were 
cancelled.  However, the 12 FY91 F-14D(R) conversions were later 
restored.  

A total of 55 F-14D new-builds and conversions were produced.  This 
was enough to equip only three front-line squadrons.  These 
F-14D-equipped squadrons are VF-2 "Bounty Hunters", VF-11 "Red 
Rippers", and VF-31 "Tomcatters".  In addition, part of the Pacific 
Fleet training unit VF-124 is equipped with F-14Ds.  A few prototype 
and early test F-14Ds have been redesignated NF-14Ds and serve with 
some dedicated test units.  

Along with the F-14Bs in service, the F-14Ds are to receive a planned 
Block 1 upgrade.  This includes the introduction of GPS capability, a 
digital flight control system, AN/ARC-210 radios, and probably an 
attack FLIR, plus the capability of carrying the AN/ALE-50 towed 
decoy.  

Early F-14Ds 163145 and 163146 were permanently assigned to test 
duties under the designation NF-14D.  They were operated by VX-4.  The 
N prefix indicates that the planes have received a degree of 
modification which makes it impractical to return them to operational 
status.  

Serials of F-14D:

159588/159637		Grumman F-14A-85-GR Tomcat
				159591,159606,159612 modified for TARPS pod.
				159610(DR-1),159613(DR-4),159600(DR-5),
				159629(DR-7),159628(DR-8),159619(DR-9),
				159592(DR-10),159595(DR-12),159603(DR-14),
				159635(DR-15),159633(DR-16),159618(DR-17),
				159630(DR-18) converted to F-14D(R).
161133/161168		Grumman F-14A-110-GR Tomcat 
				161134, 161135,161137,161140,161141,
                                161146,161147,161150,161152,161155,
				161156,161158,161159,161161,161162,
				161164,161168 were TARPS capable
				161159(DR-1),161158(DR-3),161166(DR-6),
				161133(DR-11),161154(DR-13) were converted
				to F-14D(R).
161597/161626		Grumman F-14A-125-GR Tomcat 
				161623 used as F-14D testbed and later
				redesignated NF-14D.
161850/161879		Grumman F-14A-130-GR Tomcat 
				161867 modified as F-14D testbed, later 
				redesignated NF-14D.
				161865 modified as F-14D testbed.
162588/162611		Grumman F-14A-135-GR Tomcat
				162595 modified as F-14D testbed.
163412/163418		Grumman F-14D-160-GR Tomcat
				163415 and 163416 converted to NF-14D.
163893/163904 		Grumman F-14D-165-GR Tomcat
164340/164357		Grumman F-14D-170-GR Tomcat


Specification of Grumman F-14D Tomcat:  

Two General Electric F110-GE-400 turbofans, each rated at 14,000 
lb.s.t. dry and 23,100 lb.s.t with afterburning.  
Performance:  Maximum speed (with four semi-recessed Sparrow missiles) 
Mach 1.2 (912 mph) at sea level, Mach 2.34 (1544 mph) at 40,000 feet.  
Combat air patrol loiter time 2.05 hours (at 173 mile radius with two 
280 US gallon drop tanks).  combat air patrol radius (with 1 hour 
loiter) 423 miles.  intercept radius (Mach 1.3) 319 miles.  
Weights:  42,000 pounds empty, maximum takeoff weight, 75,000 pounds.  
Dimensions:  wing span 64 feet 1 1/2 inches (unswept), 37 feet 7 
inches (fully swept), length 61 feet 11 7/8 inches, wing area 565 
square feet.  
Fuel:  Maximum internal fuel 2385 US gallons.  A 267 US-gallon drop 
tank can be carried on a hardpoint underneath each air intake.  
Armament:  One 20-mm General Electric M61A1 Vulcan in the nose with 
675 rounds.  Provision for six AIM-7F/M Sparrow and two AIM-9L/P 
Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, or six AIM-54A/C Phoenix long-range 
air-to-air missiles and two AIM-9L/P Sidewinders, or four AIM-54A/C 
Phoenix missiles underneath the fuselage and two AIM-7F/M Sparrow and 
two AIM-9L/P Sidewinders on the wing glove pylons.  

Sources:

   Grumman Aircraft Since 1919, Rene J. Francillon, Naval Institute
   Press, 1989.

   Grumman F-14 Tomcat, Doug Richardson, Osprey, 1987.

   F-14 Tomcat: Fleet Defender, Robert F. Dorr, World Airpower
   Journal, Vol 7, 1991.
 
   Grumman F-14 Tomcat Variant Briefing, World Airpower Journal,
   Vol. 19, 1994.

   The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, 
   Orion, 1987.

   Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft, Volume 1, David Donald
   and Jon Lake, AirTime, 1994.

   The World's Great Interceptor Aircraft, Gallery Books, 1989. 


Joe Baugher			  **************************************
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