G
gunsandrockets
Guest
The great F-14 Tomcat fighter has been retired from U.S. Navy service, but questions linger. For one thing there is considerable controversy whether the F-18E/F Super Hornet is an adequate substitute for the F-14D.<br /><br />http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/595147/posts<br /><br />My immediate question has to do with the performance of the F-14 while carrying a CAP load of Phoenix air to air missiles for defense of a carrier task force. How fast could an F-14A Tomcat fly with a full load of six Phoenix? Carrying 8,000 pounds worth of extra drag I wouldn't be surprised if the F-14A was limited to subsonic speed in level flight.