Latest news with #F-14Tomcat
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Iran's F-14 Tomcats are the last of their kind. Israel's been blowing some of them up.
The F-14 Tomcat, made famous by the "Top Gun" films and its storied history with the US Navy, is a dying breed. Long since retired by the US military, Iran is the only remaining operator. Israel, however, has been blowing some of them up lately as it targets Iran's military capabilities and nuclear and missile programs. In the 1986 "Top Gun" film, Lt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, played by actor Tom Cruise, buzzes the tower, launches off aircraft carriers, and dogfights hostile MiGs in an F-14. And in the 2022 sequel, the jet returns for an intense fight against advanced enemy jets. Hollywood hype for the aircraft aside, the Tomcat, an air superiority fighter made by US aerospace and defense company Northrop Grumman, is a celebrated combat aircraft within the Navy. First introduced in the 1970s, it was a highly capable aircraft that saw use in conflicts from Vietnam to the Middle East. The US Navy retired the last of its F-14s in 2006 following the introduction of Boeing's carrier-based F/A-18 Super Hornet, a multi-role aircraft considered easier to maintain. Once allies, the US sold F-14s to Iran in the mid-1970s, before revolution upended relations and support. Iran has managed to keep some operational despite US sanctions and attempts to stop Iran from obtaining parts. These jets are now coming under fire, though. On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces shared footage of a strike on two F-14s at an airport in Tehran. 🛫 Strike on two F-14 fighter jets that were located at an airport in Tehran. These jets were intended to intercept Israeli aircraft. ❌ Thwarted a UAV launch attempt toward Israel. 🎯 Eliminated a launch cell minutes before launch… — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 16, 2025 Just how many Iran F-14s Iran has left is unclear, though the fleet is believed to be fairly limited. The jets hit by Israel appear to have been unflyable, but their parts may have been key to keeping Iran's remaining ones in the sky. Canibalization of parts is not uncommon when logistics and supply lines are strained. An iconic American jet Richard Aboulafia, an aviation expert and the managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory, told Business Insider that when the F-14 was introduced, it was "incredibly cutting edge and held numerous records for years to come." Iran's jets, he said, are "kind of a time capsule." Aboulafia characterized them as "ghosts of the Cold War." The US wanted interceptor aircraft that could counter the Soviet Union's long-range bombers and the increasing threat of long-range missiles. That need gave birth to the F-14, built to replace the F-4 Phantom II made by McDonnell Douglas. The new jet came with an advanced radar, the ability to track multiple targets, and adjustable wings. The Tomcat was also the only aircraft at the time that could carry the AIM-54 Phoenix long-range air-to-air missile, which could hit targets at 100 nautical miles, far beyond visual range. Being able to make long-range air-to-air kills was critical at a time when the US needed to protect aircraft carriers from bombers. The US first deployed the F-14 during Operation Frequent Wind, flying combat air patrols during the evacuation of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. The Tomcat scored its first combat kills with the US Navy in 1981 against Libyan Su-22s. It conducted air defense missions during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. The fighter later saw more combat in Iraq and Afghanistan as well. The jet's advanced features and use in some of the US's most important campaigns makes them a key piece of US military aviation history. The "Top Gun" films then elevated the plane in popular culture. The US Tomcats that didn't last The Tomcats were impressive planes, but the F-14s faced problems with expensive spare parts and high maintenance needs. The Navy also wanted a more versatile aircraft. The Super Hornet that succeeded the Tomcat was intended to bring improved features, reduced maintenance load, and the ability to execute air-to-ground strikes, as well as engage in air-to-air combat. The US Navy had many of the jets scrapped, but it has some inoperable models on display at Florida's National Naval Aviation Museum and New York's Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. The end of the US F-14 program left Iran as the only nation that had them in service. The US went out of its way to cripple Iran's F-14 program, destroying aircraft, implementing sanctions, and choking off the supply of F-14 parts that it needed to keep the jets flying. Iran's F-14s Iran acquired a total of 79 F-14 Tomcats from the US before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, so Iran had the jets when the Iran-Iraq War started in 1980, with Iran using them in pursuit of air superiority and for air defense. Iran said its F-14s shot down more than 100 Iraqi aircraft. When the US cut off support and spare parts for Iran's F-14s. Iran developed its own maintenance capabilities and found black market solutions, but Iran's F-14 numbers dwindled as time went on. Aboulafia said that Iran uses the jets almost as Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, which help air forces with surveillance and command and control, "because of the power of that radar." He called it "the best tool they had to see aerial threats." Iran does not have a strong air force, with its force made up of obsolete Western, Soviet, and Chinese aircraft. The Tomcat "was really the only thing that Iranians could have flown to have threatened some of the Israeli airstrikes," retired US Army Maj. Gen. Gordon "Skip" Davis, the former deputy assistant secretary-general for NATO's defense-investment division, told Business Insider. "Not really the F-35s, but the F-15s," he said. "And so I think it was a very, to me, brilliant move to focus on them early on." With limited airpower, Iran is heavily dependent on ground-based air defenses, which the Israelis are also systematically wiping out. Israel says that it has achieved air superiority over Iran, meaning that Iran's ability to stop Israel in its airspace is limited. Israel flies advanced jets like its unique F-35Is. Iran said earlier this year that it had purchased Russian-made Sukhoi-35 fighter jets, but when, and if, those could arrive is unclear.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Video: Israel Destroys Iran's 'Mock-up' F-14 Tomcats Jets
Israel has released footage showing the aftermath of a strike on an airfield near Tehran, claiming it destroyed two operational F-14 Tomcat fighter jets. Iran dismissed the claim, saying the destroyed aircraft were mere mock-ups. The dramatic video, shared by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), shows the twin-engine fighter jets erupting in flames after being hit by Israeli drone strikes. "These jets were intended to intercept Israeli aircraft," the IDF wrote alongside the footage on X. RECAP of Our Recent Operations Over Tehran: ???? Strike on two F-14 fighter jets that were located at an airport in Tehran. These jets were intended to intercept Israeli aircraft. ❌ Thwarted a UAV launch attempt toward Israel. ???? Eliminated a launch cell minutes before launch… — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 16, 2025 The F-14 Tomcat, an iconic American fighter jet made famous by the film Top Gun, has been out of service in the US since 2006. Iran has kept a portion of its fleet flying since acquiring 80 of the jets in the 1970s during the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. To this day, Iran remains the only country outside the US to have operated the F-14. Estimates suggest that about 40 to 42 Tomcats remain in Iran's inventory. Still, defence analysts cited by Defense Blog believe the aircraft destroyed in the Israeli strike were likely non-operational and had been grounded for years. The airstrike, described by the Israeli military as part of a preemptive operation, was confirmed by IDF spokesperson Brig General Effie Defrin during a Monday press briefing. The F-14s were a critical asset for Iran during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War. Equipped with AWG-9 radar and AIM-54 Phoenix missiles, the jets were used to intercept Iraqi bombers, defend strategic oil infrastructure, and provide early warning for other defence systems. Despite a US arms embargo, Iran managed to keep its fleet functional through various covert means. Reports suggest Iran obtained spare parts via the Iran-Contra affair and through front companies in the early 2000s. US defence officials told the Associated Press that key components such as hydraulics, guidance systems, and ammunition drums were sought through black-market channels. Even when unarmed, the presence of an F-14 in the skies was reportedly enough to deter Iraqi pilots from engaging. With the ageing fleet becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, Iran has turned to Russia to modernise its air force. Tehran recently confirmed the purchase of Su-35 fighter jets from Moscow, though the exact number remains undisclosed. The latest airstrike comes as hostilities between Israel and Iran entered their fifth day. At least 224 people have died in Iran and 13 in Israel since June 13.
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Israel destroys two of Iran's last remaining F-14 Tomcats - iconic US fighter jet from ‘Top Gun'
The Israel Defense Forces has released dramatic footage of its air force destroying two of Iran's last remaining F-14 Tomcats — the iconic US fighter jets made famous by 'Top Gun.' Aerial videos show the moment the two US-made jets are blown up in Israeli drone strikes on an airfield near Tehran. Both airframes are destroyed in the videos, which show a huge ball of flame emerging from the scene of the strikes. 'These jets were intended to intercept Israeli aircraft,' the IDF wrote alongside the footage on X. The devastating strike, part of what the IDF called a wider preemptive operation, was confirmed by its spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, during a Monday press briefing. Further heart-stopping footage of an Israeli strike on Iranian soldiers reportedly preparing to launch drones at Israel was also shared on X by the Times of Israel reporter Emanuel Fabian. The F-14 Tomcat, a two-seater twin-tail fighter aircraft built by US manufacturer Grumman, was retired by the United States Navy almost two decades ago in September 2006, more than three decades after it was introduced in September 1974. However, it has remained in service in Iran, after the pre-Islamist government of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi bought a total of 80 F-14s from the US in the early '70s before the 1979 Islamic Revolution saw relations sour between Washington and Tehran. Iran still has a reported 40 to 42 Tomcats at its disposal, and to this day, remains the only country outside the United States to have ever flown the fighter jet, The Aviationist reports. The F-14 Tomcat famously features in the 1986 action blockbuster 'Top Gun.' Producers paid the US Navy almost $900,000 for flight time in an F-14. The movie starring Tom Cruise was such a hit that the US Navy set up recruitment desks outside movie theaters. An F-14 Tomcat also made an appearance in the sequel, 'Top Gun: Maverick,' in 2022. Reports are conflicted as to the condition of the 50-year-old aircraft seen in the IDF video. Defense analysts reviewing the imagery suggested that the two F-14s seen in the footage were likely no longer airworthy and had been grounded for some time, Defence Blog reported. It comes as the deadly conflict between Israel and Iran enters its fourth day. In Iran, 224 people have been killed, while 24 have died in Israel since hostilities began. Originally published as Israel destroys two of Iran's last remaining F-14 Tomcats - iconic US fighter jet from 'Top Gun'
New York Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Israel destroys one of Iran's last remaining F-14 Tomcats — iconic US fighter jet from ‘Top Gun'
Great balls of fire. The Israel Defense Forces has released dramatic footage of its air force destroying two of Iran's last remaining F-14 Tomcats — the iconic US fighter jets made famous by 'Top Gun.' Aerial videos show the moment the two US-made jets are blown up in Israeli drone strikes on an airfield near Tehran. Advertisement Both airframes are destroyed in the videos, which show a huge ball of flame emerging from the scene of the strikes. 'These jets were intended to intercept Israeli aircraft,' the IDF wrote alongside the footage on X. 5 Israel has shared footage of its Air Force destroying two Iranian F-14 Tomcat fighter jets. X / IDF Advertisement The devastating strike, part of what the IDF called a wider preemptive operation, was confirmed by its spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, during a Monday press briefing. Further heart-stopping footage of an Israeli strike on Iranian soldiers reportedly preparing to launch drones at Israel was also shared on X by the Times of Israel reporter Emanuel Fabian. The F-14 Tomcat, a two-seater twin-tail fighter aircraft built by US manufacturer Grumman, was retired by the United States Navy almost two decades ago in September 2006, more than three decades after it was introduced in September 1974. 5 Drone footage shows the two US-made jets exploding in huge fireballs during strikes at a Tehran airfield. X / IDF Advertisement However, it has remained in service in Iran, after the pre-Islamist government of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi bought a total of 80 F-14s from the US in the early '70s before the 1979 Islamic Revolution saw relations sour between Washington and Tehran. Iran still has a reported 40 to 42 Tomcats at its disposal, and to this day, remains the only country outside the United States to have ever flown the fighter jet, The Aviationist reports. The F-14 Tomcat famously features in the 1986 action blockbuster 'Top Gun.' Producers paid the US Navy almost $900,000 for flight time in an F-14. Advertisement 5 The iconic F-14 was created by the US manufacturer Grumman in the early 1970s. ASSOCIATED PRESS 5 Iran is the only country outside of the US to ever use the Tomcat. X / IDF The movie starring Tom Cruise was such a hit that the US Navy set up recruitment desks outside movie theaters. An F-14 Tomcat also made an appearance in the sequel, 'Top Gun: Maverick,' in 2022. 5 The fighter jets are associated with the 1986 movie 'Top Gun.' AP Reports are conflicted as to the condition of the 50-year-old aircraft seen in the IDF video. Defense analysts reviewing the imagery suggested that the two F-14s seen in the footage were likely no longer airworthy and had been grounded for some time, Defence Blog reported. Advertisement It comes as the deadly conflict between Israel and Iran enters its fourth day. In Iran, 224 people have been killed, while 24 have died in Israel since hostilities began.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What Cat Name Should Northrop Grumman Give Its Fighter If It Wins The Navy's F/A-XX Competition?
Northrop has had a rough go of it with its new fighter projects going back four decades, and many would argue undeservingly so. The YF-23 Black Widow and the F-20 Tiger Shark are still considered 'what could have been' fighters, especially the former. Even after the company merged with Grumman in 1994, the latter had not produced a new fighter since the F-14 Tomcat, which was by then out of production. Now, with the F/A-XX Next Generation Air Dominance Navy fighter contract about to be announced, and just Northrop Grumman and Boeing in the running, the storied aircraft maker that is now better known for its stealth bombers could claw its way back into the fighter business — and it will likely need a new cat name for its flying creation if it does. The Grumman cat monikers date back to the World War II era, with the firm naming its naval fighters after many types of menacing felines. The last of these was Tomcat, of course, but many came before it — Wildcat, Hellcat, Bearcat, Tigercat, and more. So, should Northrop Grumman win the big stakes F/A-XX contract, what cat name should be bestowed upon this new hyper-advanced tactical jet that will likely be the last manned fighter the Navy will ever buy? I did a handful of posts on X regarding this question. I then took commenters' most well-received responses – Shadowcat, Thundercat, Bobcat (as this aircraft will also likely be tailless), and Sabercat – and put them into a poll. After 2,761 responses, here are the results: If Northrop Grumman wins the F/A-XX NGAD naval fighter contract, what cat name should they give it? Below is refined from commenter suggestions from my previous threads on this. An no, I didn't add IIs (Tomcat II, Hellcat II etc. because that sucks). Now vote for the finalists! — Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) March 26, 2025 Alleycat, Blackcat, and others popped up as honorable mentions, as well, but Thundercat is the clear winner, which isn't that surprising. It's a powerful name, but it's also the title of what was a hugely popular cartoon from the 1980s, ThunderCats. The show about space-faring humanoid cats ran from 1985 to 1989 and was then revived twice in the 2010s. There has been a lot of chatter that the show is going to get a giant Hollywood adaptation soon. So there is a lot of pop culture relevance there beyond the cool-sounding name. So, what do you think Northrop Grumman's naval fighter should be named if the company gets the shot to build it? Give us your best feline fighter nickname in the comments below. Contact the author: Tyler@
