i used to be a military hardware nut when i was young (i can recite all major jet fighter's characteristics, including the engine maker and its thrust capabilities ), and i haven't kept up in recent years. lately i keep hearing the reporters stating that the F-14s were used to bomb Taliban targets and thought it was a mistake. i did a search on Navy's website, and to my surprise:

"The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-place strike fighter. The Tomcat's primary missions are air superiority, fleet air defense and precision strike against ground targets"

"The F-14 entered the fleet in 1973, replacing the F-4 Phantom II. The F-14B, introduced in November 1987, incorporated new General Electric F-110 engines. In 1995, an upgrade program was initiated to incorporate new digital avionics and weapon system improvements to strengthen its multi-mission competitive edge. The F-14D, delivered in 1990, was a major upgrade with F-110 engines, new APG-71 radar system, Airborne Self Protection Jammer (ASPJ), Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) and Infrared Search and Track (IRST). Additionally, all F-14 variants were given precision strike capability using the LANTIRN targeting system, night vision compatibility, new defensive countermeasures systems and a new digital flight control system."

ok, so the reporters weren't mistaken after all. but if they had said this in the Gulf War, it wouldn't have been true.

another off-topic...topic

 

Actually the F-14B started re-qualifying for bombing right after the Gulf War. It was designed to carry bombs from the start, but the racks didn't push the bombs away from the belly, and there was problems with them releasing. The change in engines allowed for the deletion of the clove vanes (small control surface just above the front of the intakes).

 

Yep, the "Bombcat" is probably the best air-ground platform in the Navy right now. Not that the Bug (aka Hornet) isn't any good, but when you also factor in range/payload...

But, of course, if you're in a Tomcat you have to deal with a guy in your backseat. Much worse than backseat drivers sometimes. Hehe.

 

thank you for the heads up =)

 

Don't worry, man, I'm right there with you . Except I still am a military hardware nut. I just recently heard about the F-14's being used for ground strikes too, though my first reaction was more like "Why the hell are they using F-14's to do the F-18's job? Isn't that what we built the Hornet for? What are those silly Navy pukes up to?" (with all due apologies to any Squiddies out there ) But then I remembered that the Air Force pulled the same crap with the F-15 (and probably will for the F-22 as well ), and decided to lay off. Let's get some A-10's in there! [Homer]Mmmmm, depleted Uranium...[/Homer]

 

Close but they were "glove vanes".

Tomcats have been dropping iron bombs regularly for over 10 years. They aquired a laser designator in the mid '90s and have been dropping precision guided weapons ever since.

SanDogDewey

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tedow
[B]
Don't worry, man, I'm right there with you . Except I still am a military hardware nut. I just recently heard about the F-14's being used for ground strikes too, though my first reaction was more like "Why the hell are they using F-14's to do the F-18's job? Isn't that what we built the Hornet for? What are those silly Navy pukes up to?" (with all due apologies to any Squiddies out there )

 

Don't forget the AC130's that are on the prowl. A 105mm shell can ruin your whole day!

Do the Taliban have much armour to go at? If so the A10's would have a field day...

 

IIRC, most of the Taliban armor (what little there is) is old Soviet crap like T-55's. And anyway, I think all that stuff is hiding in mosques, schools, and Red Cross warehouses...the spineless, cowardly, medieval, closed-minded, ignorant, lying bastards.

 

If we take a airfield in-country then you might see the Warthog along with a boatload of AH-64s. The A-10 can carry alot of clusterbombs and deliver them safely from a lower altitude.

Haha..the Taliban bomblet dance is coming!