posted on Jul, 4 2006 @ 08:27 AM
Looking at the diagram of the F-14 - you do NOT want to move any of that stuff. Avionics is back there (or I would assume - since that big honkin'
radar takes up most of the nose) - and those are VERY important to the F-14. A fuel store is back there - and the F-14, because of its swing-wing
design, doesn't have a whole heck of a lot of fuel to lose.
The F-14 has also had no 3 seat variant.
I always wanted to pilot the Tomcat, as well. Now that I am joining the Navy - with the ambition of going through the reserves to become an officer
(and eligible to fly planes), they retire them...... I live on the hope that, maybe, just maybe, they'll reactivate them when we go to war with
China (that's a mathematical eventuality), or that the F/B-23 'rumors' are credible and the Navy adopts a varyiant. (I'd squee like a little girl
at a slumber party and probably wet my pants if I got selected to fly something like that. Absolutely a badass airplane - and a worthy successor to
the F-14s legacy... rotten F/A-18E).
You could use an F-14 as an AWACS as-is. The thing has a frightfully powerful radar - and can hit SIX targets with independently guided missiles.
Imagine what an updated version of the F-14 with advanced composites, revamped engines, avionics, radar, and Phoenix missile system could do....
That's one scary interceptor. Supercruise would increase the kinetic range of the missiles (theoretically - they're an air-launched ballistic
missile - complete with detatchable 're-entry vehicle'), and the whole idea is just plain crazy. Equip the thing with harpoons and have fun doing
anti-shipping runs. F/A-14E - yeah, I'd love one!