Video: Iranian Tomcats Still Effective

Key Aero ^ | November 1, 2010 | By Gary Parsons

[Fennie]

A video release on YouTube shows that the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has a number of Grumman F-14 Tomcats operational with locally-produced parts.

The Iranian news agency FNA reports that the aircraft have been fitted with a locally-produced radar system and could carry 2,000lb (900kg) GBU-78/A Qassed (Messenger) 'smart' bombs.

[Uncle Ike]

So, then, Iran has more operational Tomcats than we have...

[ClearCase_guy]

But we still have Tom Cruise.

[brownsfan]

“But we still have Tom Cruise.”

But he’s stuck in the closet.

[Seruzawa]

A Tomcat air frame with Iranian radar and engines. Gotta love it. Too bad the Phoenixes don’t work any more.

Whaddya say..... 10 seconds against any USN or USAF pilot?

[nuconvert]

They have about 2 dozen

[Mark17]

Whaddya say..... 10 seconds against any USN or USAF pilot?

I was at a pilot training base (Laughlin AFB, TX in the 70s. We had Iranian student pilots. Trust me, unless things have changed greatly, they will not last long against USAF and USN pilots.

[moovova]

"Hurry Hasan...we must complete this part for the Indian Air Force so they will be able to take off their airplane."

[SeeSharp]

Whaddya say..... 10 seconds against any USN or USAF pilot?

Does the Navy still have anything in it's inventory that can catch an F-14?

[Fighting Irish]

Don't worry! I worked on this sale with a private contractor. We will have ZERO PROBLEMO blowing their birds out of the sky.

( cue evil laughter ) mwahhahaha mwahahahahah!

[Charles Martel]

Yep, plenty of missiles.

[Red6]

Who cares-

The real damage those F14’s caused happened 30 years ago when the Iranians handed over what at the time was state of the art radar technology to the Soviets.

Today, even if the Iranians manage to keep these birds flying through canabalization, substitution or local remanufacturing of parts required these planes are relicts.

The fact that they have an F14 is sort of a black eye for us and bragging right for them, but other than the symbolic nature of these planes, they are meaningless to us and no more a threat/significant than a Mig23 or Mig27.

[Fennie]

LINK is broken, I have a new one.

http://www.airinternational.com/view_news.asp?ID=2678

[Red Dog #1]

Red6,
Your absolutely on target, cobbling together spare parts for an obsolete aircraft his hardly an indication of strength. If the Irains could, they would have long since replaced their F-4, F-5 and F-14 aircraft with Russian or Chinese fighters. BTW, I know I'm being terrible, but the head scarfed chick signing in the video is hilarious.

[A.A. Cunningham]

44 operational F-14As spread between Bushehr and Shahid Baba`ie. There are additional airframes in storage.

[Vroomfondel]

ping

[mad_as_he$$]

Raptor bait.

[SunkenCiv]

the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has a number of Grumman F-14 Tomcats operational with locally-produced parts

Thanks Fennie. Locally-produced parts for a supersonic plane introduced in 1974, sold to Iran in 1976, and no support from the US since the Shah was overthrown over thirty years ago -- good for one sortie.

[magslinger]

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