The U.S. Navy's F-14 Tomcat Fighter Problem: Retired too Early?

[rangerrebew]

 The U.S. Navy's F-14 Tomcat Fighter Problem: Retired too Early?
Story by Harrison Kass • 16h • 3 min read
 
Summary and Key Points: The F-14 Tomcat, an iconic fighter jet, gained legendary status largely due to its depiction in the 1986 film "Top Gun." While it performed admirably in service, its fame transcended its capabilities.
 
-The F-14, which first flew in 1970 and was retired in 2006, featured a unique swept-wing design for versatility in combat. Despite its robust service record, the F-14 was eventually outpaced by advancements in technology, leading to its replacement by the more advanced F-18 Hornet.
 
-The F-18 offers modern features like stealth and interconnectivity, which the aging F-14 lacked.

 
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-u-s-navy-s-f-14-tomcat-fighter-problem-retired-too-early/ar-BB1pm3wa?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=32f54b16dad54cc4a22cc8d1f092554e&ei=51

[Timber Rattler]

Nah, it had become obsolete.  But the Navy, in the aftermath of the A-12 debacle, never planned for a successor, except for the lighter and less fearsome F-18 and the troubled F-35.

Now with that said, I think that the platform could be revived and upgraded, just as the USAF is doing with the F-15EX, and has been suggested here:

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/super-tomcat-21-plan-build-super-f-14-tomcat-failed-208403

[rangerrebew]

Now with that said, I think that the platform could be revived and upgraded

Too many egotists wearing stars to do something commensensical for that to happen.

[Timber Rattler]

Too many egotists wearing stars to do something commensensical for that to happen.

Right....that's exactly how we got the DDX/Zumwalt/LCS procurement messes.  I saw yesterday where the USS Vicksburg was de-commissioned, with nothing to replace her.

https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2024-07-03/uss-vicksburg-decommissioning-14376103.html

And there's a backstory there too about Navy incompetence:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/navy-spent-least-175m-old-ship-may-never-return-sea-rcna105840

[PeteS in CA]

Underneath the mystique and nostalgia, the F-14, when it was retired, had come to the end of its practical upgradeability. It was powered - power generation capability, not just the engine, which had been upgraded in the B version - for late 60s and early 70s avionics. It had come to the point that further upgrade would have replaced and rearranged so much that building newer airplanes was the best choice. BTW, for all the Phoenix missile's ~100 mile range, it was designed for shooting down bombers, which are much less agile than fighters. The Phoenix missile was also well past its prime. The F-14D was not capable of operating the AMRAAM.

[jafo2010]

When Obama was POTUS, it was reported that 4,500 senior officers in the military were rifted.  What was left I am certain are largely derelict liberal minded idiots, like Gen. Miley.

With the total corruption that exists in Washington, why would anyone be surprised that our military is chasing its tail with total incompetence?

If Trump does get elected, if he doesn't want leaks every damn day, and nonstop confrontation, he best get rid of every Biden/Obama appointee DAY ONE, get rid of every military multi star f***up that advanced under Biden, and last but not least, bring in consultants to look at every agency, department, bureau with the express intent of determining how many folks are needed to get the work done.  I say this because the federal government is over staffed by a minimum of 2x and perhaps 4x what is needed, and by reducing this mass of humanity, our government will function at levels it has not functioned at in 50+ years.

But I would not hold my breath for Trump doing much of anything.  I think he will be a lameduck president.  His rhetoric is as empty as any politician that ever ran for office.

I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE WALL AND THE END OF THE H1-B VISA PROGRAM, WHICH WAS TO END FIRST DAY OF HIS FIRST TERM, AND NEVER HAPPENED.  PROMISES NEVER KEPT!!!!!!!