IdiotInCharge
NVIDIA SHILL
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2003
- Messages
- 14,675
Wait, what? The F-15C is ahead to far ahead of the F-14D (you probably want to ignore the F-14A catastrophe) in all of those metrics, plus it actually has an inservice AAM integrated already.
You're right in general- though I think I'm implying hypotheticals that aren't being considered in your response.
Putting an F-15C (or E) on a carrier would hamper it in many ways, equalizing the native advantage somewhat. Modernizing the F-14 would result in plenty more equalization, and I would expect significant advantages to remain in the F-14's favor with respect to operational radius and payload. Upgraded engines would help there significantly with range, speed, acceleration, and thrust vectoring for maneuverability a bit and would bring super cruise, as would an F/A-18E-style fuselage upgrade for range.
An AAM upgrade would also be implied, with the Phoenix platform designed to work against emerging threats in the low-observable, hypersonic space. Range would also likely be extended and RCS and IR emissions along the axis would be reduced.
Basically what we've done with the F-15 and F/A-18 over time, but bigger, with more range, speed, payload, and perhaps even greater avionics flexibility. Every F-14 (or every-other) could be upgraded with EA-18G electronic capabilities as well as limited sub-screening capabilities- and the aircraft is certainly capable of carrying torpedoes from a size and weight perspective.
Of course, cost vs. more upgraded F/A-18s won out and now the Navy flies nothing else other than F-35's off their decks.
At being a hanger queen still.
Perhaps, though a 'Super Tomcat' program could also design out most issues.
Overall a Super Tomcat with the same development effort that say Boeing has done with the F-15 (including a swath of unfielded upgrades) would be terrifying for adversaries.