The U.S. Navy Would Freak: What If There Was No F-14 Tomcat?

The Facts: The F-14 Tomcat emerged from the failed F-111 project as the U.S. Navy's solution to counter Soviet bombers and cruise missiles. Introduced in 1974, the Tomcat faced early challenges with its engines, complexity, and high cost, making its future uncertain amid post-Vietnam budget cuts.

The Forgotten Facts: Alternatives included extending the life of the F-4 Phantom or developing a naval version of the F-15. However, the F-14’s long-range capabilities and integration of the Phoenix...