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Posted (edited)

Wow! 🤪  I don't own a module with modern avionics like MFD's etc.  I was saving the space in my brain for the F-14B(U).  Looks like I'm going to need it.  It's also increasingly looking like scrapping those F-14D's was not just a crime, but a sin.  Yeah, I know they were difficult to maintain etc, but what a machine they must've been.  It'd have even been worth launching a spec ops mission to sabotage Iran's F-14's just so we could have kept the D's around a bit longer.  A bit naughty I know.

 

What with the early A and this it's going to be the best year for the Tomcat since launch.  Can't wait.

Edited by JupiterJoe
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Intel Core i7-8700K CPU @ 3.70GHz - 64GB RAM - Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 - Microsoft Sidewinder Force-feedback 2 - Virpil Mongoose CM-3 Throttle

Posted (edited)
21 hours ago, JupiterJoe said:

Wow! 🤪  I don't own a module with modern avionics like MFD's etc.  I was saving the space in my brain for the F-14B(U).  Looks like I'm going to need it.  It's also increasingly looking like scrapping those F-14D's was not just a crime, but a sin.  Yeah, I know they were difficult to maintain etc, but what a machine they must've been.  It'd have even been worth launching a spec ops mission to sabotage Iraq's F-14's just so we could have kept the D's around a bit longer.  A bit naughty I know.

 

What with the early A and this it's going to be the best year for the Tomcat since launch.  Can't wait.

Iraq never had any F-14s. The US NAVY retiring the F-14 had nothing to do with Iran also owning F-14s. The Iranian F-14As were lightyears behind in technology the F-14D and even BU. 

The F-14s had to have their wingboxes destroyed after retirement so that those sensitive parts would not end up on the black market. But the decision to retire the F-14 had nothing to do with that.

Edited by McKronenberg

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Posted
13 hours ago, McKronenberg said:

Iraq never had any F-14s. The US NAVY retiring the F-14 had nothing to do with Iran also owning F-14s. The Iranian F-14As were lightyears behind in technology the F-14D and even BU. 

The F-14s had to have their wingboxes destroyed after retirement so that those sensitive parts would not end up on the back market. But the decision to retire the F-14 had nothing to do with that.

Obviously that was a typo, I meant Iran.

I wasn't referring to retiring the aircraft.  I was saying a lot more of these amazing aircraft could've gone to the boneyard, if Iran's F-14's didn't exist.  As you said yourself, the D was light years ahead of the original after it's upgrades, plus LANTIRN.  I appreciate it's overly sentimental to wish it was kept in service a little longer.  You must admit the opening scene featuring the Hornets in Top Gun: Maverick was a lot less exciting than the original opening scene 😜

Intel Core i7-8700K CPU @ 3.70GHz - 64GB RAM - Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 - Microsoft Sidewinder Force-feedback 2 - Virpil Mongoose CM-3 Throttle

Posted
On 8/15/2025 at 11:10 PM, McKronenberg said:

 

made a full overview of all cockpit changes that come with the B(U) a while ago:F14_F14BU_Differences_2.png?ex=68a33d8d&

F14_F14BU_Differences_Pilot.png?ex=68a33

Also the HUD is called the VDIGR not anything else. 
 

These are the Main B(U) upgrades: 

PTID: Programmable Tactical Display 
CDNU: Control Display Navigation Unit
DFCS: Digital Flight Control System 
VDIG-R: Vertical Display Indicator Group Replacement (HUD) Only VF-143, VF-11, VF-103 and VF-32 got that towards the end.

- Overall we will get: Multiple flight plans with upto 50 waypoints like in the hornet, though with much better functionality like showing airspaces and routes (plot lines) etc. All controled via CDNU and CAP.
- Most Navigation functions are now handeled via CDNU with CAP serving as a quick command panel and still has all BITs and other miscellaneous items.
- The tomcat now has an EGI (Blended INS / GPS) that means IFA (In flight Alignment) is possible - and no more annoying INS breaking.
- Upto 20 waypoints can be designated as LANTIRN waypoints. Depressing the LANTRIN designate button for 2 seconds creates new LANTIRN waypoint.
- Native Bullseye function. Any Waypoint can easily be designated as bullseye, with readouts on PTID, HSD in TID repeat and HUD.
- Waypoints can be designated as GGW (GPS guided weapon) Target. JDAM can both be pre planned with LAR or TOO trough making a new waypoint with LANTIRN.
- Weapons: B(U) carries all weapons that the B carried, with one noteable addition: The GBU-31. The GBU-31 is a 2000 pound weapon, essentally a Mk-84 body with the GPS guidance kit. The B(U) never carried ANY other GPS guided weapons - do not get your hopes up.

Beyond this there is a lot more stuff that is found both with the VDIGR and the PTID. Lots of pages and functionality that will require skill to learn and also make the tomcat much easier to fly and fight. A lot of additions come with the VDIGR that make tomcat AA tactics easier to execute and that will make it much more clearer how the tomcat was meant to be fought. 

Overall a lot that I did not mention and a lot to look forward to!

This is fantastic! Thank you!

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