F-14 Tomcat

Systems

Turbofan Jet Engines (F-14A/B/D). The F-14A is equipped with two TF30-P-414A Turbofan Jet Engines. The F-14B and F-14D Aircraft are equipped with two F110-GE-400 engines. The F110-GE-400 is a new design that emphasizes reliability, maintainability, and operability. The new high technology engine improves capability and maneuverability without throttle restrictions or engine trimming.

MIL-STD-1553B Digital Multiplex Data Bus (F-14B/D). The MIL-STD-1553D DMDB allows for new avionics subsystems to be integrated and employed by changing bus control software.

Interference Blanker (F-14D). The MX-10666/A Adaptive Interference Blanker provides signal blanking compatibility.

Avionics Interface Unit (F-14D). The Avionics Interface Unit (AIU) converter provides signal conditioning and data formatting necessary to interface the MIL-STD-1553B DMDB with avionics equipment that is not data bus compatible.

Computer Interface Unit (F-14D). The Computer Interface Unit (CIU) converter provides signal conditioning and data formatting necessary to interface the MIL-STD-1553B DMDB with radar equipment that is not data bus compatible.

AN/ARC-182(V) Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency - Amplitude Modulated/Frequency Modulated HAVE QUICK (F-14A/B/D). The AN/ARC-182 Very High Frequency (VHF)/Ultra High Frequency (UHF) provides two way simplex plain and cryptographic voice communication. It is integrated into the avionics system through the security and cockpit audio equipment.

AN/AYQ-15 Stores Management System (F-14D). The AN/AYQ-15 Stores Management System (SMS) uses a programmable processor, decoders, and fuel tank jettison units interfaced with a MIL-STD-1553B DMDB to provide the control and logic necessary to prepare, fire, and jettison all stores. The pilot air combat maneuvering panel, throttles, stick grip, and emergency jettison panel were modified to support the AN/AYQ-15 SMS and weapon systems.

Tactical Computer System (F-14D). The Tactical Computer System consists of two AN/AYK-14 Tactical Computers, a Bulk Store Memory Unit, AIU, CIU, and two MIL-STD-1553B DMDBs. One AN/AYK-14 acts as the avionics bus controller and radar Backup Bus Controller. The second AN/AYK-14 computer acts as the radar controller and avionics Backup Bus Controller. The Bulk Store Memory Unit is used to store software programs and data necessary for both ground support and in-flight operation. The two MIL-STD-1553B DMDBs service each of the tactical computers. Interface with equipment not compatible with the MIL-STD-1553B DMDB is provided by the AIU and CIU.

Standard Central Air Data Computer (F-14A/B/D). The Standard Central Air Data Computer (SCADC) provides air data information used for flight control, navigation, and weapon release functions.

Embedded Global Positioning System and Inertial Navigation System (F-14B). The EGI provides three independent navigation solutions: Inertial only, GPS only, and blended GPS-INS. The EGI began replacing the CAINS I in August 1998.

AN/ASN-139 Digital Inertial Navigation System (F-14D). The AN/ASN-139 Digital Inertial Navigation System (DINS) provides aircraft attitude, attitude rates, and velocities to the AIU. The AN/ASN-139 DINS includes its own computer, which performs inertial alignment and station keeping functions. Back-up navigation is achieved by using heading and attitude inputs from AN/USN-2 Standard Attitude Heading Reference System (SAHRS) along with velocity and altitude inputs from the Air Data Computer.

AN/ASN-163 Miniaturized Airborne Global Positioning System Receiver (F-14D). The AN/ASN-163 Miniaturized Airborne Global Positioning System Receiver (MAGR) provides Over-The-Horizon navigation and secure navigation capabilities using satellite information. It was integrated into the F-14D by the end of FY99.

AN/APG-71 Radar (F-14D). The AN/APG-71 Radar replaces the AN/AWG-9 Radar used in the F-14A/B and has fewer Weapon Replaceable Assemblies (WRAs), thereby reducing both weight and space requirements. The functional expansion is achieved by replacement of AN/AWG-9 analog processing hardware with more flexible digital processing. Major changes were made in the following areas: Signal Processor, Data Processor, Digital Display, Central Processor, Receivers, and Antenna configuration.

Infrared Search and Track System (F-14D). The Infrared Search and Track System (IRSTS) is a Navy developed system which provides long range detection in the long wave infrared spectrum of both subsonic and supersonic targets.

Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (F-14D). The Air Force common Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) terminal provides secure, jam resistant, high capacity digital data and voice information distribution, and accurate relative navigation capabilities.

Electronic Warning Countermeasures Systems (F-14A/B/D). The AN/ALR-67 is a new design Radar Warning Receiver that detects direction of arrival and threat identification for tactical aircraft or missiles and is being installed in all three F-14 series aircraft. The AN/ALQ-165 is the latest generation Airborne Self-Protection Jammer (ASPJ) and is installed in the F-14D. The integration system is designed to operate under computer software management to provide flexibility to meet new threat radar.

Head-Up Display (F-14D). The new design Head-Up Display (HUD) is used as the primary flight instrument, weapon status, and weapon delivery display for the aircraft under selected conditions. The HUD receives attack, navigation, situation, and steering control information and projects symbology on the combining glass for head-up viewing.

Television Camera System (F-14A/B/D). Mounted on a chin pod, the Television Camera System (TCS) is a high-resolution closed circuit television system with two cockpit selectable Fields Of View (FOV), wide and narrow. The selected FOV is displayed in the cockpit and can be recorded by the Cockpit Television System (CTVS). A new TCS, in development, will be installed in all three series aircraft.

Cockpit Television System (F-14A/B/D). The CTVS is used for debriefing pilots after a sortie and as a training aid. It is installed in all three F-14 series aircraft; each with a different model. The CTVS in the F-14D is an electro-optical system that displays icons from the HUD combiner and the TCS. The unit consists of a video sensor head on the HUD and an electronic unit on the HUD-Video Control Panel. The sensor signal can be fed to the mission recorder and can be displayed on the Multifunction Display Indicator Group (MDIG). The Video Control Switch on the HUD-Video Control Panel controls operation of the CTVS.

Programmable Multi-Display Indicator Group (F-14B). The PMDIG provides software reprogrammable symbology displays in both cockpits for the aircrew.

Controls and Displays System (F-14D). The Controls and Displays System incorporates new programmable interactive display systems and associated integrated cockpit controls. The display equipment consists of three MDIG systems, each consisting of a programmable display processor and associated display heads. One MDIG provides pilot display capability via a combined Vertical Situation Display and a HUD. The other MDIGs provide pilot and NFO Head-Down Display capability.

Programmable Tactical Information Display (F-14A/B/D). The PTID replaces the Tactical Information Display (TID) and provides programmable push buttons, which are used to program switching for the various tactical processors attached to the MIL-STD-1553B DMDB. The PTID provides improved display readability, brightness, and resolution. The F-14A (usually equipped with a TID) requires the PTID when configured for LANTIRN. The F-14B Upgrade is equipped with the PTID. The F-14D Aircraft uses existing Multi-Function Displays or a PTID when configured for LANTIRN.

Precision Strike (F-14A/B/D). Precision Strike provides the F-14 the capability to deliver laser-guided bombs for air-to-ground missions. It consists of the LANTIRN pod with laser designator and internal navigation system, LANTIRN control panel, and night vision capable displays. In LANTIRN equipped F-14As and F-14Bs, the TID has been replaced with the PTID.

Ejection Seat Systems (F-14A/B/D). The MK-GRU-7A Ejection Seat is employed in the F-14A and F-14B Aircraft as the primary means of escape. The SJU-17(V) Naval Aircrew Common Ejection Seat (NACES) is the primary means of escape from disabled F-14D Aircraft. These seats also provide in-flight restraint and necessary cockpit interfaces for mission performance.

Armament Systems (F-14A/B/D). F-14 Armament consists of Air-to-Air Missiles including the Sidewinder, Sparrow, and Phoenix; Air-to-Ground Precision Guided Weapons; Air-to-Ground Conventional Ordnance; and the M61A-1 Vulcan 20mm gun.

The following table is a configuration comparison of the significant systems in the in-service F-14A, F-14B, and F-14D Aircraft.