The F-14A Tomcat is a variable geometry carrier-based fighter aircraft. It has a bomber variant, the F-14B Tomcat, as well as an improved variant, the F-14D Super Tomcat.
The F-14A was employed by the naval aviation wing of various armed forces in the Strangereal world, along with the F-14B Bombcat and the advanced F-14D Super Tomcat.
During the Continental War, the F-14A was operated by Erusea and certain member-states of the ISAF'sNavy. A particular operator of the aircraft was the Mobius Squadron, which employed such jets in carrier operations through the course of the war.
Yuktobanian Tomcats were among the escorts of the cargo aircraft involved in the exodus from southern Yuktobania after the seizure of the Bastok Peninsula. Towards the end of the conflict, abandoned F-14As from the Kestrel's deceased flight crews were obtained by the Wardog Squadron, becoming their flagship aircraft as the Razgriz Squadron during their campaign against the Grey Men.
In the Ace Combat Infinity universe, the F-14A Tomcat design was acquired by Wernher and Noah Enterprises following the Ulysses Disaster and was later mass-produced by the company's Advanced Automated Aviation Plant systems along with the advanced Super Tomcat. The model produced by the company was a hybridized model with Super Tomcat features, adopting the AN/AAS-42 IRST pod and the AAX-1 TV tracking system - never used by actual A models - while omitting the supersonic glove vanes of early-model aircraft.
"A large carrier-based fighter that replaced the F-4 in handling fleet defense. The F-14A became the basis for further models in the series. Its striking twin engines and variable-sweep wings, along with its appearance in movies, has made it well known even outside of aircraft enthusiast circles. Primarily designed to intercept large fighters and cruise missiles with its long-range air-to-air missiles, the F-14A makes the most of its variable-sweep wings, boasting superior maneuverability across a range of speeds. Its combat capabilities excel even at close range. Unlike the variants that followed, the A-type features "glove vanes" on the forward part of the main wings, making it easily recognizable. Its nickname is "Tomcat.""
"A large, carrier-based fighter intended to take over from the F-4 as principle fleet air defense. It has variable wings that can automatically change angle even during flight, allowing for both high speed capabilities in high speed ranges and high maneuverability in low speed ranges. It is also equipped with long range missiles that can shoot down incoming enemies over a considerable distance. Known as the "Tomcat"."
"Large carrier-based air superiority fighter, known as the "Tomcat". Its variable sweep wing adjusts automatically to provide excellent mobility at both high and low speeds."
The F-14 in Ace Combat 2 features the newer F110 engines only present on the F-14B and F-14D. The Model Display lists the aircraft's total weight as ranging from 18,191 to 33,724 kg (40,104 to 74,349 lb), which are the empty weight of the F-14A and the maximum takeoff weight of the F-14B and F-14D, respectively. However, the Ace Combat 2: Namco Official Guide Book incorrectly states that the engines are the F-14A's older TF30 engines and the aircraft has a max weight of 31,661 kg (69,801 lb).[1] This indicates that the F-14 featured in Ace Combat 2 is either intended to be an F-14A+ (an interim upgrade which only changed the engines and not the plane's avionics, later renamed to F-14B) or an original F-14A with the wrong engines.
The F-14A Tomcat in Infinity is a possible reference to the real-life upgrade on a number of actual A models into the F-14D Super Tomcat configuration, hence the appearance of the aircraft. However, said upgrade completely turns the A models into D models, with the newer AN/APG-71 and the GE F110 engines. The F-14A in Infinity on the other hand looked like a D model configuration with the TF30 engine instead of the F110.
The F-14A Tomcat in Ace Combat 04 and Ace Combat 5 featured retractable glove vanes just forward of its main wings that extend during high speed. This feature was no longer present in its later appearances.
Variable geometry wings are wings that pivot on an axis to sweep backwards or forwards and then return to their original position during flight. They are often used to change the shape of the plane, with the outwards position allowing for better low-speed handling and the swept position allowing higher speeds.
An aggressor squadron is an allied squadron that pretends to be an enemy during training or exercises. Aggressor aircraft use liveries based on other countries' air forces.