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The Super Tomcat 21 grew out of a previous proposal called the Tomcat Quick Strike. Quick Strike was meant to be an upgrade for existing F-14s, giving them high-end integrated nav-attack pods, upgraded ground attack modes for APG-71 Radar (based on the AWG-9) to pick up the slack that the A-6E TRAM Intruder would leave behind. This was seen a an insufficient technological leap over the F-14B and D, especially with rumors that a clean sheet next generation Hornet was in the works. So Grumman came back with a true “Super Tomcat,” called the Attack Super Tomcat 21.
The Attack Super Tomcat 21 (ASF-14) would be a new build, highly updated version of the legendary F-14. A true “Super Tomcat” in every sense of the word, the machine would boast a large increase in internal fuel (over it’s already massive capacity) via thicker wings and larger over intake “shoulders.” The jet would have an all new digital flight control system with larger surfaces, dropping its minimum speed by upwards of 20kts. It would utilize the more powerful GE-F110-129 afterburning turbofan for it’s powerplant, allowing sustained supercruise of mach 1.3+. Airframe enhacements would allow the jet to reach over 77 degrees of sustained AoA but thrust vectoring was also to be part of the new design, which would have made it the most maneuverable US fighter ever. There was also talk about the airframe being able to later receive the F-22s F-119 or F-120 derivative motors, resulting in a predicted supercruise of mach 2.0 or more!
The forward windscreen would change from the legacy 3 piece style and be replaced with a single piece of wraparound glass, giving the pilot much better visibility. Finally, all the hydraulic and electrical systems that gave legacy Tomcat maintainers such headaches over the years would have been replaced with simplified systems similar to those in the Super Hornet. Further, many structural components would be made out of carbon fiber instead of aluminum or titanium. This would allow the new Tomcat to be only slightly heavier in gross weight (about 1200 pounds), while gaining so much capability, fuel and thrust.
From an avionics standpoint the ASF-14 would be a major leap forward, with the navigational FLIR and optional Terrain Following Radar housed in the Phoenix missile mount’s aerodynamic fairings. The Infra Red Search & Track system and targeting FLIR would be mounted in under-nose pods similar to the F-14D’s TCS/IRST pod. The cockpit would have featured an all glass design with helmet mounted displays for both the pilot and the RIO/WSO. The most exciting part of the avionics suite would have made use of the Tomcat’s massive radar aperture. A mammoth active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar could be fitted and provided with immense amounts of power for interlaced air to air and air to ground operations or even standoff electronic attack. You can see how incredible the ASF-14s AESA capability would have matured into by looking at the current APG-63V3 AESA radar upgrade program for the F-15. The APG-63V3 is actually more capable than the F-22s APG-77 AESA radar because it is simply larger in diameter, allowing more transit/receive modules to be utilized. The Tomcat was built originally for the massive AWG-9 fire control radar, so there is a LOT of real estate up front for the mother of all fighter jet AESA radars to be fitted!
The Attack Super Tomcat 21 (ASF-14) would be a new build, highly updated version of the legendary F-14. A true “Super Tomcat” in every sense of the word, the machine would boast a large increase in internal fuel (over it’s already massive capacity) via thicker wings and larger over intake “shoulders.” The jet would have an all new digital flight control system with larger surfaces, dropping its minimum speed by upwards of 20kts. It would utilize the more powerful GE-F110-129 afterburning turbofan for it’s powerplant, allowing sustained supercruise of mach 1.3+. Airframe enhacements would allow the jet to reach over 77 degrees of sustained AoA but thrust vectoring was also to be part of the new design, which would have made it the most maneuverable US fighter ever. There was also talk about the airframe being able to later receive the F-22s F-119 or F-120 derivative motors, resulting in a predicted supercruise of mach 2.0 or more!
The forward windscreen would change from the legacy 3 piece style and be replaced with a single piece of wraparound glass, giving the pilot much better visibility. Finally, all the hydraulic and electrical systems that gave legacy Tomcat maintainers such headaches over the years would have been replaced with simplified systems similar to those in the Super Hornet. Further, many structural components would be made out of carbon fiber instead of aluminum or titanium. This would allow the new Tomcat to be only slightly heavier in gross weight (about 1200 pounds), while gaining so much capability, fuel and thrust.
From an avionics standpoint the ASF-14 would be a major leap forward, with the navigational FLIR and optional Terrain Following Radar housed in the Phoenix missile mount’s aerodynamic fairings. The Infra Red Search & Track system and targeting FLIR would be mounted in under-nose pods similar to the F-14D’s TCS/IRST pod. The cockpit would have featured an all glass design with helmet mounted displays for both the pilot and the RIO/WSO. The most exciting part of the avionics suite would have made use of the Tomcat’s massive radar aperture. A mammoth active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar could be fitted and provided with immense amounts of power for interlaced air to air and air to ground operations or even standoff electronic attack. You can see how incredible the ASF-14s AESA capability would have matured into by looking at the current APG-63V3 AESA radar upgrade program for the F-15. The APG-63V3 is actually more capable than the F-22s APG-77 AESA radar because it is simply larger in diameter, allowing more transit/receive modules to be utilized. The Tomcat was built originally for the massive AWG-9 fire control radar, so there is a LOT of real estate up front for the mother of all fighter jet AESA radars to be fitted!
