F-14 Climb Performance Evaluation

[sLYFa]

Setup:

Standard day, no winds.

Start at SL with 2SW+2SP+2PH+2TKS at optimum climb speed and climb to optimum cruise alt for both engine types --> 4 setups (MIL climb TF-30/F-110, full AB climb TF-30/F-110)

 

Results:

MIL climb TF-30: climb to 32500 ft with 68000 lbs initial weight at M 0.64

Fuel required per chart 2000 lbs <--> Fuel required in DCS 1300 lbs

Distance travelled per chart 70 nm <--> Distance travelled in DCS 40 nm

Time required per chart 11 min <--> time required in DCS 6 min

 

MAX AB TF-30: climb to 32500 ft with 68000 lbs initial weight at M 0.9

Fuel required per chart 2200 lbs <--> Fuel required in DCS 3800 lbs

Distance travelled per chart 13 nm <--> Distance travelled in DCS 26 nm

Time required per chart 1:40 min <--> time required in DCS 3 min

 

MIL climb F-110: climb to 35200 ft with 70000 lbs initial weight at M 0.72

Fuel required per chart 1600 lbs <--> Fuel required in DCS 1200 lbs

Distance travelled per chart 48 nm <--> Distance travelled in DCS 31 nm

Time required per chart 6:40 min <--> time required in DCS 4:20 min

 

MAX AB climb F-110: climb to 35200 ft with 70000 lbs initial weight at M 0.9

Fuel required per chart 2400 lbs <--> Fuel required in DCS 2600 lbs

Distance travelled per chart 13 nm <--> Distance travelled in DCS 14 nm

Time required per chart 1:35 min <--> time required in DCS 1:40 min

 

Conclusion:

TF-30s overperform heavily during MIL power climbs while heavily underperforming during full AB climbs

F-110 overperform slightly for MIL climbs while spot on for full AB climbs

 

Tests for a clean configuration MIL climb showed spot on performance for the F-110, while the TF-30 still overperform, although not as much as with a combat load (fuel 1100 vs. 800 in DCS)

[Sonoda Umi]

Yeah... It seems that more data tweaks are needed in DCS.

[eatthis]

why the different speeds for mil and ab? dont you just alter the climb angle to maintain the speed??

[sLYFa]

The optimum climb speed (and thus climb angle) varies with available engine power . That doesnt mean M0.9 is technically the best climb angle but thats what the manual gives you for max AB climb.

[GGTharos]

why the different speeds for mil and ab? dont you just alter the climb angle to maintain the speed??

 

I'm assuming it is the specific procedure outlined in the manual/chart. Usually you'll hit a certain airspeed, and then use the mach number at the cross-over altitude. Ie. say climb at 300kts and when you reach M0.64 maintain that mach number instead of the airspeed.

[Hummingbird]

Also do the test again after Dec 16th where the a/c performance fix hits.