Follow-on development of the navy F-14D Tomcat aircraft for the night and all-weather strike mission

The pending retirement of the A-6E aircraft will leave the U.S. Navy without a long range night precision and all-weather strike aircraft for several years. The F-14D was proposed as a replacement aircraft, but would require modification. Lessons learned during the Desert Storm war were examined to define the requirements for a long range night and all-weather, carrier based. strike aircraft, and five specific capabilities were identified. Current Navy strike aircraft (A-6E, F/A-18C, F-14A/B, and F-14D) were examined for their capabilities, systems, and mission radii. Capabilities of current U.S. Air Force strike aircraft (F-15E, F-111F, F-117A) were also examined. Finally, a system-by-system analysis was performed to identify those systems that would enable the F-14D to fulfill the defined mission requirements. The F-14D showed excellent potential for further development as a night precision and all-weather attack aircraft and a list of recommended aircraft modifications was compiled. A forward looking infrared system for targeting with a laser ranger and designator would give the F-14D a precision weapons capability. Addition of a synthetic aperture mode to the F-14D's digital radar, would provide an all-weather bombing capability. Other modification suggestions are provided in order of desirability.