[A.A. Cunningham]

Yes, it's true.

• An F/A-18E/F in maximum afterburner thrust cannot exceed Mach 1.0 in level flight below 10,000 feet even when it is in the clean configuration (no external stores).

[Mr Rogers]

I believe the pods are limited to subsonic flight anyways...

And dumping the pods would cost a pretty penny.

However, an EF-111 would hit at least 1.35M on the deck, and still have acceleration left. Not much gas, but acceleration!

Oh well, I’ll be on terminal leave in a few months, and all the EFs are in the boneyard.

[ryan71]

So what’s the deal with that?

Is it aerodynamics, engines, or both?

[JSteff]

“They should kick the F-18 to the curb and start up F-14 production again.”
My parents saw what the later heard was the list F-14’s fly into Oceana. My Dad said they were still beautiful planes, my mom said she shed a few tears.

The Navy was stupid. Then they spend a ton of money destroying or dismantling the F-14’s so the Iranians could not steal and export the parts!

Ironic and sad that we destroyed the F14’s but the Iranians try to pay millions to get stolen parts to refurb theirs.

Wasn't the F14 shut down, like the SR71 shut down started under the clinton’s? If so doesn't that just figure.

[rlmorel]

I am appalled if that is true. While it doesn’t really make much difference for the Growler since the Prowler couldn’t do that either, I can’t believe that is true for the fighter version.

I respect your expertise in this, since I have followed your postings on this stuff, but...I just find that hard to believe.

[rlmorel]

No disrespect intended, but I read the article and the thing is entirely anecdotal with no statistical information.

Do you have any links to any other info that can collaborate this? Also, the link to the article from that thread is dead.