I hear the F-14 Tomcat is to be phased out by 2008

[funkyflathead]

Man that's real fighter plane.

Been in service since the mid 1970's.

Hopefully we will get a capable replacement.

[Postman]

1. You're worshiping the F-14?

You don't think they'll be able to find something else to piss our money away on?

[ogminlo]

2. Last I heard it was the Super Hornet.

That could have changed, but I recall that the Navy is aiming for a less diverse fleet of planes. It makes sense, air superiority is less stressed without an arms race.

[Mr_Lefty]

3. Over 25 years of service

The Navy doesn't keep bad planes for long- it was and is a great plane. I used to be a Navy mechanic on A-7's back in the big 80's. A-7's were replaced by F-18's- the new joint strike fighter will probably replace the F-14 (guessing).

[Postman]

4. Which carrier were you on?

curious. I was on Forrestal out of Mayport in 1985-6

[kalian]

5. Being replaced by the Hornet....

the "C" variant, i.e., the "Super Hornet". Its 100% USDA prime BS...
Short legs...not enough carrying capacity... No long-range missiles
like the Phoenix that the Tomcat carried...
Pretty pathetic IMHO.
Its pretty sad too since the Tomcat would technically be the last
of the Grumman aircraft...a long tradition might be coming to an
end.

[ogminlo]

7. If you say so.

I've not been paying that much attention lately, so JSF it is.

Don't look for the Phoenix system to migrate to any new plane- they aren't going to go to a ubiquitous aircraft for all branches and then equip the Navy variant with a missle system that isn't used anywhere else.

Or am I outdated on that info too?

Bear in mind the Tomcat was engineered as an interceptor, not a strike aircraft. We don't need interceptors anymore, so some of the strengths of the Tomcat are no longer considered critical. The Pheonix was originally developed for the SR-71 when it was suppoed to be the ultimate interceptor. The Blackbird wasn't concieved as a spyplane, and the Phoenix found its only home with the Tomcat.

[kalian]

8. Wrong...Tomcat WAS designed as a multi-role aircraft....

initially...but was relegated to the fleet defense role (bomber
interception).
The "Strike Cat" finally got to fly its multi-role mission during
the mid to late 90s and even in Afghanistan. They were much better
equipped to do so than the Hornets that are to replace them...why?
Because of their better fule carrying capacity and weapon load.
Strike Cats can carry 4 2000lbs LGBs or a mix of ATG load outs
while still carrying a formidable ATA loadout.

Too bad...

[Catch22Dem]

6. Don't hold your breath

I remember being stationed at Langley AFB in the very early 90s. We were supposed to get the F-22 and phase out the F-15. Guess what, 10 years later Langley still has 3 Fighter Squadrons of F-15 and not a single F-22 on base. LOL.