F-14D Super Tomcat was the final, most advanced, and most powerful variant of the legendary Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter family. This variant was designed as a multi-role platform that combined fleet air defense with digital ground-attack capabilities.
Key Upgrades from Previous Variants
Compared to the original F-14A, the "D" model brought major upgrades in three primary areas:
Engines: It featured twin General Electric F110-GE-400 turbofan engines, replacing the troublesome TF30 engines of the A-model. These new engines provided significantly more thrust, allowing the aircraft to launch from carriers without using afterburners and greatly enhancing maneuverability.
Radar & Avionics: It utilized the AN/APG-71 digital radar, replacing the analog AN/AWG-9. This radar could track up to 24 targets simultaneously and had nearly double the processing speed. The cockpit was modernized into a "glass cockpit" with interactive digital displays.
Passive Sensors: It was equipped with a dual chin pod under the nose that integrated an IRST (Infrared Search and Track) sensor and a TCS (Television Camera Set), allowing the crew to detect and identify targets passively without emitting radar signals.
Technical Specifications (F-14D)
Top Speed: Mach 2.34 (approx. 1,544 mph / 2,485 km/h) at altitude.
Combat Radius: ~500 nmi (927 km).
Primary Armament:
One 20mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon.
AIM-54 Phoenix long-range air-to-air missiles (up to 6), AIM-7 Sparrow, and AIM-9 Sidewinder.
Precision ground-attack munitions such as JDAM (GBU-38) and Paveway laser-guided bombs (when equipped with the LANTIRN pod).
Crew: 2 (Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer / RIO).
Operational Status
U.S. Retirement: The United States Navy officially retired the entire F-14 fleet, including the D variant, on September 22, 2006. Its combat roles were taken over by the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Operational in Iran: As of 2025, the only country still operating the F-14 Tomcat is Iran. However, the Iranian fleet consists of F-14A models that have been heavily modified locally due to long-standing parts embargos. There were reports of several Iranian F-14s being destroyed in airstrikes during regional conflicts in June 2025.

Activation Group
AG1>OpenCanopy
AG2>Engine
AG3>Wheels
AG4>Wing Lights
AG5>Tail Hook