Designed as the U.S. Navy's primary fighter, the F-14 Tomcat could perform air superiority, escort, and strike missions and was undoubtedly one of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced aircraft ever to serve an aircraft carrier. The prototype machine was flown on December 21, 1970, and the first planes were delivered to the US Navy four years later. The last Tomcat planes were decommissioned only in 2006, which perfectly illustrates the high quality and great performance of this machine. The most innovative and characteristic solution for the F-14 are the wings with variable geometry. Controlled by computer or manually by the pilot, they can change their angle of attack from 20 degrees at minimum speed to 60 degrees at supersonic speeds. The changing geometry of the wings also allows for optimal positioning of the wings when maneuvering tightly, thanks to which this powerful aircraft exhibits amazing maneuverability. The heart of the Tomcat weapon system is the Hughes ANG-9 radar, usually cooperating with the AIM-54A Phoenix air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 180 km. Being able to track and attack more than one target is especially important. No less important element of the armament, as shown by the combat experience in the Vietnam War, is the cannon - in the F-14 mounted inside the M-61 Vulcan hull, firing up to 6,000 rounds per minute! Of course, you can also attach other types of weapons to the Tomcat, such as Sparrow, Sidewinder rockets or various bombs. The F-14 also owes a lot of its success to the excellent power unit in the form of a pair of Pratt-Whitney TF30 engines with a thrust of 9300 daN with afterburning. Technical data: Maximum speed: 2480 km / h, climb speed: 153 m / s, practical ceiling 17100 m, maximum range: 3200 km, armament: fixed - single, six-barrel 20mm M61-A1 cannon, suspended - up to 6580 kg cargo.
Strike Fighter Squadron 103 (abbreviation VFA-103) is an American in-flight air unit created in May 1952. Currently, the most characteristic hallmark of the VFA-103 aircraft is the pirate flag, in English called Jolly Rogers, on the horizontal stabilizers. It was also the source of the squadron's unofficial name. The first aircraft on which the VFA-103 pilots flew were the FG-1D Corsair. In 1957, the unit was rearmed with the F-8 Crusader, as one of the first in the US Navy. At the turn of 1964/1965, the VFA-103 began to be armed with the new F-4 Phantom machines. In 1983, however, it was rearmed with the new Grumman F-14A Tomcat fighters, armed with AIM-54 Phoenix missiles. Currently, the basic aircraft of the unit is the F / A-18F Super Hornet. Strike Fighter Squadron 103 pilots took an active part in the Vietnam War (1964 / 195-1975) and in both Persian Gulf Wars (1990-1991 and 2003).