Is The F-14 Tomcat Still Useful, Was It Retired Too Soon ? | Digital Combat Simulator | DCS |
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- čas přidán 4. 08. 2023
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On this channel we like to do a lot of dogfighting most videos are some sort of dogfight between 2 different aircraft as we explore their different capabilities. From time to time I like to dabble in Virtual Reality, I think VR is a great new technology and I love to show that stuff off for the channel from time to time.
If you enjoy war thunder or Microsoft flight simulator 2020 or even dogfighting in Battlefield 2042, consider getting yourself into Digital Combat Simulator by Eagle Dynamics, the Combat side of Aviation with the BVR and Dogfights really provides a different and interesting perspective on aviation. You can fly all kinds of combat aircraft including the F-16, F-15, F-14, JF-17, Su-27, Mig-29, Mirage and the F-18 Hornet along with many other aircraft and helicopters like the Ka-50 and Mi-8. - Hry
The biggest issue I see with the Tomcat is Jester is not to be trusted. 🙂
Maybe wouldn’t have retired when it did if Jester was replaced by R2D2
Jester's mind is always on Meg.... eject !
That's understandable considering he was played by Michael Ironside...and he lost both of his arms to Arnold Braunschweiger on the way to a party.
@@drewparcel1727the force is strong with that droid
Needs Goose 🪿
I swear the Tomcat has got to be the most beautiful fighter ever created
No, I respect your opinion but there are dozens of fighters that look better. If we are just talking Jets, then the F-16, F-22, F-18, ME-262, Ho229 just to name a few. The F-14 is a beautiful aircraft but so many more aircraft meet the "Most Beautiful Fighters" list before the F-14.
@@DJ118USMC The F-104 should be on your list since it resembles a crayon.
It's one of them.
Honestly, ever since the 70s, the US only 'dates' beautiful fighter jets so....yeah, NGAD and FA/XX better be nice looking. That's all I'm saying.
Especially when three of them are sitting on the cats of say the Nimitz in about 85.. F14A’s light up the deck at night.
The Tomcat and Viper are each visual perfection: one brutally handsome, the other graceful and elegant. One a marksman and brawler, the other deadly with a blade.
I'd rate that mission a success. And the loss of the Tomcat is sad, but its RADAR was broken anyway xD
That's true. Did you notice the constant noise it produced. Oh... that was Jester....
After the bomber was taken out, I’d expect any real crew to have headed home.
In a real-world scenario, GS would have had a wingman. And, that wingman would have engaged the escort bandits while the lead fighter engaged the bomber. Solo missions are not a thing.
@@marklipsinic7916 well, that’s valid
@@marklipsinic7916still, once mission accomplished, little is to be gained from the extra risk involved with engaging the escorts. A live pilot and plane on your side is more valuable than more dead enemy pilots.
Not sure, I think they still would try to kill you in order to save ejected piolts unless it was too risky to do so.
@@marklipsinic7916 And also, in a real-world scenario there would have been more bombers and escorts.
The F-14D was the same age as the F-15E and built around approximately the same capabilities. The Strike Eagle remains one of the most important platforms for the USAF and new variants are still in production. The F-14 would have been no less useful, especially if it integrated modern tech.
Just imagine the power of the AST-21 compared to the Strike Eagle
It cost too much, too much repair… way too costly
tomcat with amramm, what a deadly beast
Cost of maintenance unfortunately makes the F-18 more logical. Love the F-14 though.
@@rapid13 AFAIK the main reliability problem with the Tomcat was not the swing wings but the avionics and systems.
F-14 and F-15 had similar first flight dates but the Tomcat draws its heritage from the TFX program, basically 60s tech.
A proper digital systems upgrade would have solved most of the reliability issues, the airframe lifespan was reported to be fantastic anyway.
Imagine a modern cat with modern avionics, a new radar and fly by wire.....and a JHMCS
A phoenix that had received upgrades to its tracking hardware and software as well
@@flexrification aye!
Tomcat 21@@groundpounder0541
i used to draw pictures of the tomcat when i was 7 yrs old. would sit on the library floor and stare at pictures of the tomcat until i memorized it. from an emotional standpoint, it will always be my fave
The F-14 really is a remarkably beautiful machine!
The issue with the f 14 was always the maintenance and high skill level required to use its full potential compared to the f15 which could also carry more missles and was just more user friendly
The F15 carried 8 missiles so did the F14. Recently the F15 has been upgraded to carry more, but not during the time both were active.
The issue was maintenance hours required for flight hours.
While true, modify the f15 to land on a carrier deck it's entire life and to comform to carrier space requirements and the f15 will have very similar problems. Your statement is correct, but you are comparing apples to oranges because of the realities of their environment
@@williammccarron5718 And the fact that maintenance had to be carried out in the hanger deck of an aircraft carrier.
There was also the problem that Dick Cheney was owned by Lockhead and Boeing and the Tomcat was made by Grumman
Man, I miss Jester punching out for no reason at all 🤣
Yeah, that was classic 😂
Man the outside view at the flying by Tomcat at the begining. Its just gorgeous plane
Now you gotta float within eyesight of the dude that shot you down 😂
A good friend of mine was a RIO in the Tomcat during the Iraq episode. He told me that the Tomcat never fared well against an F-16 in dogfights. Never, as in, ever. I introduced him to your channel, he told me he's impressed with the graphics realism and some aspects he felt are accurate. Thought I'd share.
I’d love to see how it would stand up with either modern missiles or a skilled RIO. If it even had an updated TWS radar, would the Phoenix’s be even more deadly?
What would be really cool is seeing a modernised F-14 carrying AIM-120s. For less weight than 4 Phoenixes the F-14 could carry 10 AIM-120Ds. Against the mythical 6 Phoenix loadout the F-14 could carry 12 AIM-120s and 4 AIM-9s, again with weight to spare. Despite a reduction in maximum range (160km vs 185km) that would be a seriously frightening missile truck. Even carrying a 6 + 4 load the drop in weight would give a worthwhile increase in the F-14's performance.
@@fix0the0spade They halted the use because of cost to maintain, however modern material and fabrication processes have come a long way. I'm willing to bet it wouldn't be much more costly to maintain than any other modern airframe.
@@OgKamoGaming They are finding that the F18 superbugs are wearing out faster than earlier 18Cs for exactly that reason! The compsites structures fatigue more quickly than earlier airframes in a Naval environment
@@Wolfe351 That’s what Oceangate thought is. Lol
I remember having an Algebra/Geometry teacher who had served and flown in the F4 Phantom. One day, my buddy Kyle was asking him why the military retired the F14 Tomcat. The teacher said something about outdated weapon systems and the overall agreement that the newer F/A-18 was more practical for the Navy or something. Was like half a lifetime ago.
Glad to see you are rocking the Jolly Rogers logo! The only one that should be allowed on the Tomcat.
I'm the opposite. There were so many cool squadron logos and paint schemes that aren't remembered. While VF-103 had one of the top paint schemes there was something fun about the VF-31 Tomcatters. Also VX-9 Vampires all gloss black with the Playboy bunny on the tail. Black Aces, Tophatters.
CONGRATULATIONS on half a million subs!!! Well done, you produce amazing quality work, light and easy to watch, excellent narrations, informative but highly amusing. Here's to the next half million subs!
Imagine the Tomcat instead of the Growlers… The Meower
Great video as usual! Congrats on the 500k! Well-deserved and plenty more to come.
can you do a lightning vs lightning (f-35 vs p-38)
There is nothing more beautiful than an F-14 with the skull and crossbones.
You almost have 500k subscribers, way to go!
You successfully defended your carrier group, what more can you ask for?
9:41 is beautiful. And that first notch where you dived towards the ocean...man I was gripping my mouse you were going to fast!
I appreciate the coverage of terminology. I like the reminders and I'm glad newcomers to the channel get to hear the explanations.
I'm so proud of you for your diligence lately around dropping tanks
Congratulations on 500K subs; well earned. Wishing you many more and thank you for your content!
Thank YOU much appreciated
Can you collab with others to give the perspective of the rear seater and their job?
F-14 has always been my favorite aircraft and always wished for Super Tomcat....what a beast that would of been!
Well, YEAH, the F14 WAS retired "too soon". But only when you take into account that it was done so more for cost-cutting purposes than for several generations of "upgrades" that would have been taken to keep it up to date until a new "platform" could have come out. I honestly think that it could be still used TODAY given the proper updated equipment, most importantly a MODERN missile package with modern radars in a more ATG (Air to Ground) role than "fighter" capacity.
Obviously, the Iranians still use theirs today. Around 20 are still FMC (fully mission capable). Most have received modernisations of Iranian origin.
The F-14D was a phenomenal fighter bomber. And fighter. And brand new. With brand new engines and avionics.
It was a political move.
@@fredmdbud and that is a completely irrelevant point to the fact that the f14d was a brand new aircraft that was extremely effective and would still be extremely effective today with typical upgrades over time.
Your post is a perfect example of the straw man Concept in action
@@Valorius Correct! The problem was never about the airplane to begin with, they want to put Grumman out of bussiness started just prior to '78 & they'r succeeded.
@@thunderboltcougar5626 if they wanted Grumman out of business (and then succeded) then explain B-2 and B-21 existence
congrats on 500k subs! what a milestone!
Apart from getting shot down at the end, this mission was too perfect for the Tomcat. Those foankers were more than likely SU-27s.
To really answer the question, put it up against SU-35s packing R-37s, SU-57s in VLO mode and J-20s.
In this day and age, I would still pick the F-35 and the Super Hornet as my go to naval fighters.
I get the F-35 but the Hornet?! The Hornet is without a doubt the most overrated plane in history
@@Karadjanov At least keep it until the F/A-XX is ready.
This Skull Squadron livery (Macross reference?) is simply stunning 😮
Fighting 103 livery
Macross was a nod to real life, not the other way around.
Macross' Skull Squadron was a Final Countdown reference originally
@@dexter7954 I prefer the original Fighting 84 one
@@terrymathews7012
Easy dude
Didnt know, good to know.
Either way is fantastic
Thank u for pointing out the instruments and what u r reading helps me learn
thank you for daily uploads! very entertaining stuff
I have a very subtle yet persistent feeling that GS is heart, head, and soul, a Tomcat pilot.
Congrats for 500K 🎉🎉🎉
Would love to see TacView brought back for some videos like this! Really miss that post fight breakdown you used to do
I think he chooses not to because this would demonstrate just how incompetent the Flanker pilots were in this case.
Just noted the 500K - congrats GS
Thank you very much
Almost to 500K !!! Kudos!
I'd like to think a truly modernized Tomcat would be AMRAAM and -9X capable. But like I said the other day; another successful Tomcat video, more proof it is capable in modern engagements
You sure?
Super Tomcat 21 would have used the same radar as the F-15E, so it would have most likely been capable of carrying AMRAAMs and 9Xs.
idk about that one bub. maybe if you're fighting soviet era migs of other tomcats
another successful video will make Iranians smile
Congrats to 500k❤🎉
Thank u very much
Damn straight it was still useful! Modern upgrades to airframe, avionics, and engine would have made her into a beast. Retired wayyy too soon.
Fell in love with ur contents recently
So close to 500k!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations on the 500k subscribers
I don't know if the Tomcat would still be relevant today but I do know that the aircraft that replaced it is very relevant. In fact, a variant of the Super Hornet performs the air to air role, air to ground role, electronic countermeasure role (Growler), and the refueling role. After the Hornet was retired and until the F-35 was recently introduced, nearly every fixed wing aircraft on the modern carrier was a variant of the Super Hornet. I think an argument can be made that it is the most versatile aircraft ever to serve on a U.S. nuclear carrier.
Just because you can force your foot into a shoe doesn't mean it's a good fit. The super hornet is a downgrade in every mission area from the aircraft that it replaced.
@@noiwonttellyoumyname.4385 So the Tomcat was a better air refueler? It was better at electronic warfare? Better at air to ground missions? What is was best at was fleet defense. It was also possibly the best looking airplane I have personally seen up close. It was also advanced for its time with the variable swept wings. But that technology has been surpassed by modern designs that do the same thing without complex moving systems.
@@noiwonttellyoumyname.4385would it still be a ‘downgrade’ if you could launch more sorties with more aircraft availabilities? don’t think so. If the Tomcats are still around after the Navy got its budget constraints post-Obama era, the carrier air wing would have very low rate of aircraft readiness.
Wowsers! What an ending! The last 15-30 secs made the video.
congrats on 500k !
Taking out the Tupalov 22 (nuclear bomber) was the win. The two Flankers was icing on the cake! Great video GS!
VF-103 "Jolly Rogers" Oceana, Virginia
Don't know performance was as much a factor of the 50 hours of maintenance for every hour of flight time.
Hey I that ending reminded me of something. I heard an F14 once had one of its wings not operational and it still managed to land. Even I think a 15 had its wing shot or broke off and it manage to land. I heard a story like that, just wasn’t sure which one it was
From my research, the main reason the tomcat got binned was because it was a MASSIVE pain in the ass to repair it if anything broke, though i do think it’d be useful for the navy to have it again, with how many bombs you could strap to it, you’d essentially be giving the navy its very own strike eagle
Now give the F-14 F-35 engines!
Impressive! Easily no damage mission if you got your wingman. We all love Tomcat, most beautiful and iconic design.
The main problem with the Tomcat was the lack of a pervasive avionics bus. It was wired pt to pt except for a few subsystems late in the development
I just went to a museum and saw the tomcat(not the first time) but the size of it still impresses me. It give me a chance to rethink of the capability of the tomcat
The after fight meeting in the water will be fun with the flanker pilot😅
When the Tomcat was stowed on deck with wings fully swept back it just has that beautiful angry look like “try me”
I found sometimes when the horizontal PAL doesn't work if you switch to vertical it will see the target.
Also Mission Accomplished you took out the main target and escorts and you survived the hit. CSAR will pick you and Jester up....and Jester gets another hole punched in his frequent rescue card....two more and he gets a cookie.
Bravo. Very nicely done.
GS, I know you don't like to fight the mirage, but it would be cool to see new vid of you fighting it while in the tomcat!
Congrats on 500k 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤
NICE!
The radar and Jester let you down on that one for sure.
Would like to see this sort of thing with the F14D, maybe a reasonably modernized version, as that’s the plane that should be in inventory if still in use.
The colouring of the plane reminds me of a movie involving time travel.
The Final Countdown.
I have a request: F-16 vs Mirage 2000 but you're in the Mirage explaining one circle tactics.
that conversation after, in the drink.
I love the F14 variants. I've far from perfected it but dig it !!
Thanks for explaining stuff to newbs like me. Tactics and terms. Much appreciated.
The imperium does not require you to return to your base, only that the enemy does not return to his.
An updated F-14D/ST-21 with AIM-54s for the bomber and AIM-120Ds for fighters could be scary good
Of ccourse. With the new built D and hypothethic ST2000 etc, the mainenace hours would drop and you have a very efficient and deadly 4.5 gen jet.
imagine this weird situation where two jet pilots shoot each other down in like a kilometer range over the sea. both bail, both fall into the sea, both wait for help..? keep fighting with small arms? decree peace? very very weird situation
You are pretty much describing Paths Of Hate lol
Yo GS, mission accomplished. Great way to enter the weekend. F14...Gone before her time. Enjoy the helicopter ride back to the CV with the rescue swimmer. Thanks for the vid. Have a pleasant day. Cheers.
Seems like the tomcat could have benifitted from a F15 radar upgrade. Good video.
The eventual AN/APG-71 was pretty baller, by all accounts
With the size of the F14s nose it could have a monster of a radar if it got upgraded, better then the F15.
The radar on the F-14D was the most powerful fighter radar until the introduction of the F-22
@Miratesus Imagine what a modernized F14 would be able to have, since it has more room than the F22.
The D model did have the 71 radar...
Imagine taking the Meteor’s seeker head technology with the range of the Phoenix! Now that would be a crazy missile.
8:27 ahhh. That's what happened. "don't worry Jester. I'll get you home"
Just like the "and we should be good..." Boom
I wonder if thrust vectoring could be installed as the engines are apart from each other like the Su30 and Su35.
GG to 500K
The F-14 once had the beyond visual range with the phoenix weapon system
Oho you crossed 500K sub, congrats🥳. Now, onto 1Mil
I tried hitting my F6 button to see the missle and forgot this was a video
Absolutely stunning!!!
That was a great video, well done! Do you have any insight if DCS will come to consoles such as Series X, or PS5?
Always loved the Tomcat since I saw TopGun when I was a kid. What an amazing aircraft.
How did you learn all this ? Love the info and the fights.
This has become a daily routine:
1. GS posts excellent video.
2. I see it and click "Like."
3. Then I watch it.
A GS F-14 Jolly Rogers video the same day I get my Hobby Master F-14B Jolly Rogers? It's like it was meant to be.
I want to see the Strike 🦅 paired with Meteors or the R-37
Need to upgrade Jester, seriously
Funny I just finished watching top gun 2 for what feels like the 100th time and this video pops up. Love it
We need refresher like Strike Eagle.....F14 Thundercat lol ❤
had the F14 gone though a larger and more comprehensive modernization program in the 90s than the 25% B and D upgrades they could have made it into the late 2000s or early 2010s and then gotten a 2nd upgrade ditching the Phoenix and AGW-9/AGP-71 for AM-120D and AGP63/79 found on the F15/F18 super hornets. Quickstrike was a decent set of upgrades but it needed a fly by wire and therefore most core avionics and electronics upgrade.
Now you have to find the pilot and challenge them for hand combat
Please make a vid with KF-21 Boramane!
More ww2 warbirds please. Do a P-47 thunderbolt vs A10 thunderbolt 2. Watch Greg's airplanes and automobiles latest video on the P-47 in DCS. Good stuff.
Could have given one Phoenix for escorts half way during guiding first one toward bomber.
TWS track and guidance would have allowed Phoenix to close target fighter without early alert leaving little evasion time with head on course.
Tomcat's design goal was hitting multiple enemies, and already from range instead of letting them close, which was far head of its time.
Hey GS, great video. I am going to get into the Flanker so, I am a bit curious. Does the Flanker have a TWS radar mode? Your answer would be appreciated.
read the manual...
@@joeds3775 Hi Joe, I don’t you have to reply unless your acronym is GS.
I see Tomcat content, I instantly hit like 👍
I think the trade was a little more on your side. With the size of the warhead on those phoenixes, both Flanker pilots are more likely dead than not.