The F-14D Super Tomcat is an advanced swing-wing fighter aircraft. It is an upgrade over the F-14A Tomcat, hence its name, "Super Tomcat". While the primary and most extensive changes are to avionics and displays, the F-14D is also notable for being able to engage multiple targets more easily than its predecessor.
The F-14D has been featured in numerous Ace Combat games, starting in Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War. All of the F-14D's appearances have included multi-lock missiles, and most of them have also included long-range missiles.
In the Strangereal world, the F-14D was a carrier-launched aircraft operated by several nations because of its speed and combat capabilities, particularly for its ability to engage multiple enemy fighters at once. It operated along with the traditional F-14A and its rarer ground attack variant, the F-14B Bombcat.
"A large carrier-based fighter, developed to defend carrier battle groups. The D-model has enhanced avionics. Carrying long-range air-to-air missiles, it is designed to intercept hostiles carrying air-to-ship missiles. Outside of protecting ships, it is capable of acting as a bomber with air-to-ground attack capabilities or as an air superiority fighter with automatic variable wings, allowing for dominating combat at all speed ranges and altitudes. Its unofficial nickname, "Super Tomcat," is derived from the A-model."
Erusea: Blue and gray splinter "aggressor" camouflage (Unlocked by earning the "Bronze Wings" medal: Earn an S Rank on all missions on Normal difficulty.)
Special: Three-tone dark green, dark brown and sand splinter IRIAF F-14AM camouflage. (Unlocked after shooting down KITTEN.)
"A revision of the F-14, which has come to characterize carrier-based fighters, known as the "Super Tomcat". While maintaining the stable maneuverability offered by the digitally controlled variable sweep wing and the capability to neutralize multiple incoming targets at long range, it is also outfitted with a new onboard radar and engine."
"A large, variable wing, carrier-based fighter that symbolizes aircraft carrier transported planes. It combines stability with maneuverability regardless of velocity thanks to its digitally controlled variable sweep wings and surpassing speed performance. The "Super Tomcat" also boasts of long-range counterattack capability that can defeat a large number of incoming enemy fighters."
"The Super Tomcat is equipped with digital fly-by-wire variable geometry wings and powerful twin-engines. Although costly to maintain, this carrier-based aircraft’s wide array of advanced capabilities place it at the pinnacle of modern aircraft design. Unparalleled top speed and acceleration coupled with high maneuverability and stability make the F-14D an impressive aircraft. Long-range missile armaments also allow for preemptive striking capability on multiple enemy aircraft. Excelling at hit-and-run assaults, this high speed intercept fighter is perfect for aerial defense missions."
"This carrier-based F-14 features upgrades in radar and weapon control systems. Aptly called the "Super Tomcat," the F-14D can handle multiple enemies at once."
"This carrier-based F-14 features upgrades in radar and weapon control systems. Aptly called the "Super Tomcat," the F-14D can handle multiple enemies at once."
In Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon, Ace Combat Infinity, and Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the F-14D carries its XLAAs/6AAMs/LAAMs (AIM-54 Phoenix) on stations 1B, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8B, a configuration known in the United States Navy as the "Chainsaw" tactic.[citation needed] This missile arrangement was designed for situations where a carrier battle group came under attack from the Soviet Union, in which every available F-14 would scramble with this missile arrangement, intercept the threat, return to the carrier, re-arm with this arrangement, and continue until the enemy attack ceased. However, this payload configuration was rarely ever used in real life, as aircraft could launch from carriers with all six missiles, but they could not safely land back on the carriers with the full load-out due to the high weight of the AIM-54.[citation needed]
The F-14D’s SP paint scheme in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown appears to be based on a recent Iranian Tomcat camouflage scheme.
The F-14D was never fully equipped to carry the AIM-120 AMRAAM in real life, although it carries the missile in several forms throughout many Ace Combat games. In Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the F-14D carrys the AIM-120C AMRAAM in stealthy external weapons pods.
An aggressor squadron is an allied squadron that pretends to be an enemy during training or exercises. Aggressor aircraft use liveries based on other countries' air forces.
Variable geometry wings are wings that pivot on an axis to sweep backwards or forwards and then return to their original position during flight. They are often used to change the shape of the plane, with the outwards position allowing for better low-speed handling and the swept position allowing higher speeds.