Improvements and changes

Ground attack upgrades

Design
Overview
Variable-geometry wings and aerodynamic design
Engines and structure
Avionics and flight controls
Armament
Operational history
United States Navy
Iran
Variants
F-14A
F-14B
F-14D
Projected variants
Operators
Former operators
Aircraft on display
Specifications (F-14D)
Tomcat logo
Notable appearances in media
See also
References
Notes
Citations
Bibliography
External links

Background
Beginning in the late 1950s, the U.S. Navy sought a long-range, high-endurance interceptor to defend its carrier battle
groups against long-range anti-ship missiles launched from the jet bombers and submarines of the Soviet Union. The
U.S. Navy needed a Fleet Air Defense (FAD) aircraft with a more powerful radar and longer range missiles than the F-4
Phantom II carried to intercept both enemy bombers and missiles.[7] The Navy was directed to participate in the
Tactical Fighter Experimental (TFX) program with the U.S. Air Force by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.
McNamara wanted "joint" solutions to service aircraft needs to reduce development costs, and had already directed the
Air Force to buy the F-4 Phantom II, which was developed for the Navy and Marine Corps.[8] The Navy strenuously
opposed the TFX as it feared compromises necessary for the Air Force's need for a low-level attack aircraft would
adversely impact the aircraft's performance as a fighter.