Spotter’s guide

How to identify the F-14 Tomcat

  • 01Large variable-sweep wings
  • 02Widely spaced twin engines with a flat tunnel between them
  • 03Twin vertical tails canted slightly outward
  • 04Long nose and prominent two-seat canopy

Major variants

F-14AF-14BF-14D Super Tomcat

Notable operators

United States Navy • Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

Why the F-14 Tomcat matters

The Tomcat became the U.S. Navy’s signature fleet-defense fighter during the late Cold War and later added precision strike capability before its 2006 U.S. retirement.

Related aircraft

Sources and further reading

Specifications can vary by model, engine, load, and configuration.