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F-14 Tomcat vs. F/A-18 Super Hornet

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F-14

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F/A-18 Super Hornet

Role
Mulitrole fighterMulitrole fighter
Generation
4th generation4.5 generation
National Origin
United StatesUnited States
Manufacturer
GrummanBoeing
Price (USD)
$38 Million$70 Million
Primary Users
US NavyUS Navy
First Flight
19701995
Last Production Year
1991In Production
# Units Built
712>600
Status
RetiredIn Service
Seats
21 (F-18E) / 2 (F-18F)
Length
19 m62 ft
18 m60 ft
Wingspan
19 m64 ft
13 m44 ft
Wing Area
52 m²559 ft²
46 m²500 ft²
Height
4 m16 ft
4 m16 ft
Empty Weight
19,822 kg43,700 lbs
14,560 kg32,100 lbs
Gross Weight
27,669 kg61,000 lbs
21,319 kg47,000 lbs
MTOW
33,725 kg74,350 lbs
29,937 kg66,000 lbs
Fuel Capacity
7,348 kg16,200 lbs
6,668 kg14,700 lbs
Number of Engines
22
Engine Type
TurbofanTurbofan
Engine Manufacturer
General ElectricGeneral Electric
Engine Model
F110-GE-400F414-GE-400
Dry Thrust
74 kN16,610 lbs
58 kN13,000 lbs
Thrust w/ Afterburner
125 kN28,200 lbf
98 kN22,000 lbf
Max Thrust
250 kN56,400 lbf
196 kN44,000 lbf
Max Speed (Mach)
Mach 2.34Mach 1.60
Top Speed
2,485 km/h1,544 mph
1,915 km/h1,190 mph
Range
2,963 km1,600 nm
2,361 km1,275 nm
Rate of Climb
229 m/s45,000 ft/min
254 m/s50,000 ft/min
Ceiling
16,154 m53,000 ft
15,240 m50,000 ft
G Limit
7 g7 g

What Are the Differences Between the F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Super Hornet

F-14 Tomcat vs F/A-18 Super Hornet Size Comparison

  • At 19.10 meters, the F-14 Tomcat is 0.80 meters longer than the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
  • With a wingspan of 19.50 meters, the F-14 Tomcat is 5.90 meters wider from wingtip to wingtip.
  • The F-14 Tomcat and the F/A-18 Super Hornet have the same height at 4.9 m

F-14 Tomcat vs F/A-18 Super Hornet Price

  • The F/A-18 Super Hornet is more expensive than the F-14 Tomcat, with a unit cost of approximately 70 million compared to the F-14 Tomcat’s unit cost of approximately 38 million.

F-14 Tomcat vs F/A-18 Super Hornet Speed

  • The F-14 Tomcat has a top speed of 1,544 miles per hour, and the F/A-18 Super Hornet has a top speed of 1,190 miles per hour. Head to head, this makes the F-14 Tomcat 354 miles per hour faster than the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

About the F-14 Tomcat

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American twin-engine, variable-sweep wing, maritime air superiority fighter, and interceptor aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after the collapse of the F-111B project. The F-14 first flew on December 21, 1970, and entered service with the U.S. Navy in 1974, serving as its primary maritime air superiority fighter until it was retired in 2006.

Production History: Manufactured by Grumman Aerospace, now part of Northrop Grumman, the F-14 was introduced to replace the F-4 Phantom II. It was designed to include the air combat experience against MiG fighters during the Vietnam War. The F-14's production ran from 1970 to 1991, with more than 700 units built.

Design Features: The F-14 Tomcat's design featured variable-sweep wings which allowed for excellent agility at supersonic speeds, coupled with the capability to undertake a wide range of carrier-based operations. It emphasized not only air superiority but also ground attack capabilities in its later versions, notably the F-14D, which incorporated modern avionics, improved engines, and precision strike capabilities.

Operational History: Throughout its service, the F-14 saw significant action in various conflicts, including the Gulf of Sidra incidents, the Iran-Iraq War, and Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. Its ability to carry a versatile payload and perform in a wide range of operational theaters demonstrated the Tomcat's adaptability in combat roles.

Comparison with Similar Models:

F-14 Tomcat vs. F-15 Eagle

Role and Capabilities: Both aircraft were designed during the Cold War to address different aspects of air combat. The F-14 primarily served in fleet defense and air superiority roles with significant emphasis on long-range engagements, utilizing its superior radar and missile systems. The F-15 was developed as an air superiority fighter focusing on high maneuverability and acceleration.

Performance: The F-15 Eagle offers higher top speeds, better climb rates, and greater maneuverability compared to the F-14, largely due to its lighter airframe and more powerful engines. The F-14, however, boasts a greater range and payload capacity, especially in its role as a carrier-based aircraft, providing versatile operational capabilities.

F-14 Tomcat vs. F/A-18 Hornet

Design Evolution: The F/A-18 was designed as a more versatile, albeit smaller, multirole aircraft compared to the F-14. It can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions efficiently, a capability that the F-14 adopted in its later variants with upgrades.

Operational Capabilities: The F-14 excelled in long-range engagements and fleet defense missions, thanks to its powerful radar and missile systems. The F/A-18, however, offers greater versatility with its ability to quickly switch between fighting and bombing modes, making it a highly adaptable aircraft for various missions.

About the F/A-18 Super Hornet

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a direct evolution of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, is an American twin-engine, supersonic, carrier-capable multirole fighter jet. It's used primarily by the United States Navy as well as the Royal Australian Air Force and Kuwait Air Force.

Production History: The Super Hornet was initially developed by McDonnell Douglas, with its first flight in 1995. Following the merger of McDonnell Douglas with Boeing, full-rate production commenced in September 1997. The Super Hornet entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, effectively replacing the Grumman F-14 Tomcat by 2006. As of April 2020, over 632 units had been produced, with Boeing announcing plans to conclude production in 2025.

Design Features: The Super Hornet design stemmed from a requirement for a more capable version of the F/A-18 Hornet. It carries an internal 20mm M61A2 rotary cannon and is capable of deploying various weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. It can be equipped with up to five external fuel tanks for extended range missions and can be configured as an airborne tanker.

Operational History:

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet has been integral in various military operations, showcasing its effectiveness in air-to-air combat, precision-guided night strikes, and close air support, among other roles. Its first air-kill occurred on June 18, 2017, against a Syrian Sukhoi Su-22. The Super Hornet's multirole capability has made it a valuable asset in diverse military operations.

Comparison with Similar Models:

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet vs. F-14 Tomcat:

Role and Capabilities: The F-14 primarily served as an air superiority fighter with secondary ground attack capabilities. In contrast, the Super Hornet is a true multirole aircraft, adept in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Performance and Armament: The F-14 boasted a longer range and heavier weapons load capacity. However, the Super Hornet's smaller size and versatile armament options make it more adaptable in various combat scenarios.

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet vs. F/A-18 Hornet:

Design Evolution: The Super Hornet is an enlarged and enhanced version of the original Hornet, offering increased range, payload capacity, and advanced capabilities.

Role Expansion: While maintaining the multirole capabilities of the Hornet, the Super Hornet introduces improvements like increased fuel capacity, enhanced avionics, and a greater payload, broadening its effectiveness in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.

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Values shown may not be 100% accurate, as some metrics are averages or only represent certain production years and configurations. Engine specs are based on the best options available.

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