Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!cbnews!military From: fjs@floyd.ATT.COM Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: New version F-14 Summary: maybe, if Congress don't kill it!! Message-ID: <7000@cbnews.ATT.COM> Date: 31 May 89 03:42:55 GMT References: <6867@cbnews.ATT.COM> <6959@cbnews.ATT.COM> Sender: military@cbnews.ATT.COM Lines: 67 Approved: military@att.att.com From: fjs@floyd.ATT.COM In article <6959@cbnews.ATT.COM>, slammer!brad@gatech.edu (Brad Isley) writes: > > Loral in Norcross, Ga. has contracted to do the new CRT systems for the > new F14 avionics. They want me to do some software for it, but they have > been waiting for gov't money for 8 months now. Seems the 14 will finally > get a modern cockpit! :-) Grumman was awarded a $864 million contract in the summer of 1984 for dev- elopement of the F-14D (SuperTomcat). In February 1984, the Navy awarded GE the contract for the new powerplants, F110-GE-40 (an unbelievably superior engine). The heart of the new F-14D is the Hughes APG-71 radar, offering a 100% increase in reliability over the AWG-9, a 40% increase in detection and tracking ranges, and better tracking accuracy. Cockpit changes include: * Multifunction displays (MFD), allowing the pilot and RIO to CHOOSE what aspect of the aircrafts' function they wish to look at. * Improved raw video radar display for the RIO for ease in diagnose and counter different jamming types. * A new HUD (heads up display) using a combining glass rather the windscreen which will allow a one-piece windscreen in the future (see picture of Tomcat "21" in AW&ST, May 15, 1989, page 17). * A new hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS), like the F/A-18, to allow the pilot to perform most tacticle functions without removing his hands from the primary flight controls. * A new digital entry keyboard to allow the RIO to comunicate with the computer more efficiently than the old analog address panel. * The incorporation of color displays. Other avionics new for the 'cat are the new digital inertial navigation, stores management, tactical air navigation, and identification friend or foe systems. It will also have, when it is available, an airborne self protection jammer (ASPJ), needed largely because of the F-14's large radar signature. But then there's budget cuts................................ So far, Grumman can build 6 F-14D Tomcats for 1990 and 12 more for 1991, but this is only the conversion of the present F-14A models to F-14D. The existing F-14A+ models only have the new GE engines (see 'em at all the Blue Angel Air Shows, sometimes in the air). Presently, the full production F-14D in on hold. For the F-14D, the following cuts have been proposed (it seems): 1990 -$365 million 1991 -$469 million 1992-94 -$1,532 million I can understand budget cuts, but what is supposed to take the place of a rotting vintage 1972 Tomcat on carrier decks whilst the latest technology MiG's are screaming around?? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fred J. Shubert | "You haven't lived until you've seen a 'cat fly!!!" AT&T Bell Labs |----------------------------------------------------- Whippany, N.J. | DISCLAIMER: All views are that of my own. PERIOD. Ma-Bell 201-386-3094 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ \ _ / \ /^ ^\ / F-14D ____________\_( . )_/____________ SUPERTOMCATS --*/--|_| (___) |_|--\*-- RULE * O O * (I Love 'Em)