Watch this video of Iranian F-14 Tomcats escorting a Russian Tu-95 bomber during air strike in Syria

The Aviationist ^ | November 20, 2015 | David Cenciotti

[sukhoi-30mki]

Something really interesting details have been exposed by the material released by Russia’s MoD lately.

Indeed, as you can see in the video below, IRIAF (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force) F-14 Tomcat interceptors escorted Russian Air Force Tu-95 Bear bombers flying in Iranian airspace during their 9h 30mins missions (from Engels airbase and back, along the Iraq-Iran-Caspian Sea 6,500 km-long corridor) against terrorist targets in Syria.

With the U.S. Navy retiring the legendary F-14 in September 2006, nowadays the IRIAF is the only operator of the Tomcat, a type of aircraft that Tehran has kept airworthy throughout the years in spite of the embargo imposed after the 1979 Revolution.

Not only did the Iranians keep some F-14s in active service but they have also upgraded it with some domestic avionics upgrades and weapons that should extend the life of the last flying Tomcats until 2030.

[meatloaf]

It looks like Pratt & Whitney made the engines. GE made the engines later after the F-14s were bought by Iran.

[C19fan]

To me the best evidence the end is nigh:

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb”

I saw the video and I thought it was one of the Sukhoi swept wing tactical bombers.

[Bobalu]

WHEN WE SELL THIS TYPE OF EQUIPMENT TO ANYONE...why don't we build in a mechanism whereby we can destroy it???

I bet we actually do that now in some instances.

It would be hidden deep in the embedded systems hardware and software.

[TigersEye]

All I know is that GE defied the sanctions and nothing was ever done about it.
I don’t know if they were selling washing machines or jet engines there.

[az_gila]

Well, the drawing shows the wing is LONGER than in an F-14 - because when the wing swings back to form the delta, it is the same length as the tail portion .. and that drawing clearly shows that if you swept the wing back, it would be longer .. not the same length as the tail piece.

That’s a very strange looking drawing.

It still doesn’t look right to me.

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No, the drawing is correct. The hinge point for the swing wing is essentially at the leading edge. Use this and the drawing measurements are correct....:^)