The F-14 Tomcat, immortalized by the 1986 film "Top Gun," was a key naval interceptor for the U.S. Navy, designed primarily to establish air superiority and defend against Soviet bombers. First flown in 1970 and operational by 1974 on the USS Enterprise, it replaced the F-4 Phantom.
The F-14 Tomcat, developed in response to the U.S. Navy's need for a long-range interceptor in the 1960s, was a technological marvel designed to counter the threat of Soviet bombers and missiles.
The F-14D “Super Tomcat” was the final variant introduced by Grumman in the late 1980’s. Similar to its predecessors, the most modern Tomcat featured F110-GE-400 engines. Additionally, the Super Tomcat was fitted with the Airborne Self Protection Jammer, the AN/APG-71 radar, Joint Tactical Information Distribution System and other enhancements.