Iran’s Air Force Still Loves The Old F-14 Tomcat

19FortyFive ^ | 2/11/2021 | Peter Suicu

[buckalfa]

"One told me a pair of invisible Raptors took out as many F-16s as the planes munitions would allow as they were taking off. No one knew where the Raptors were other than somewhere off the coast of Alaska."

Even if the US does possess startling military technological advantages, it seems the Pentagon is more interested in promoting social justice than defending the nation.

[JimRed]

Because the stuff they have now is even better.

But now that stuff is under the control of individuals who would lack the cojones to USE IT.

[ETCM]

How on earth are they still getting spare parts? Did we turn over manufacturing of the supply chain for those planes too?

There was a pretty good piece in The National Interest a year ago explaining the ups and downs of Iran's F-14s over the years. The article is 3 pages.

How Iran Has Kept Its Aging American-Made F-14 Tomcats Flying

[Psalm 73]

“It was like being a baby seal.”

Was working in Okinawa when the F-22's made their first trip there - got to watch them dog-fight the F-15's from Kadena.

Raptor's turning radius was just insane - got on the Eagle's tails every time.

[qaz123]

That may in fact be the case going forward. I’m thinking with these new rules there may not be too many that want to sign up to use these machines. With the way they’re talking we may not much of a military left in the next couple of years.

[qaz123]

Sad but true.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Fascinating reading - thanks!

[EEGator]

[Chode]

nuff to break yer heart... kinda like a big praying mantis

[Hootowl99]

The supply chain for both new and recycled F-14 parts was intentionally destroyed to keep Iran from sourcing spare parts. The planes themselves were destroyed as well as opposed to mothballing at Davis Monthan AFB.

Only sources for parts that Iran has had are from scavenging from their own fleet, manufacturing their own or jury rigging substitutes.

[Hootowl99]

The supply chain for both new and recycled F-14 parts was intentionally destroyed to keep Iran from sourcing spare parts. The planes themselves were destroyed as well as opposed to mothballing at Davis Monthan AFB.

Only sources for parts that Iran has had are from scavenging from their own fleet, manufacturing their own or jury rigging substitutes.

[GaryCrow]

That Tomcat/Phoenix combo had a standoff range of about 125 miles. Shoot him down before he sees you. Always wondered why they terminated it.

The Phoenix missile never lived up to it's hype. It theoretically had a lot of range but in reality didn't work very well. The U.S. never had a kill with one, Iran claimed they did against Iraq but they probably lied about it for propaganda purposes, I don't believe we ever confirmed any of them.

The AIM-120 AMRAAM though having a shorter range is a much, much better missile.

[L,TOWM]

TRUTH — Not too far away from Iran, folks figured out Wattered Steel 1,500 years before Bessemer did his thing...