TARPS pod plus AIM-7s?

[PhantomHans]

I'm just curious here but I understand that currently the ECA and ALQ-167 add weight and drag, but not yet functional.  Hopefully some day they'll be working, as it is now it looks like 

 

Having said that, it looks like we are allowed to load AIM-7 Sparrows in the forward two racks with the TARPS pod attached...  Would this have been a viable and approved loadout?  If so, was it ever used?

[ValhallaAB]

I am not an expert on the F-14 but here is my take:

The AIM-7's motor might foul the TARPS pod with the light explosive launch which separates the missile from the fuselage. The problem is maybe seen clearer by mounting AIM-54's. The AIM-54 adds some drag but more importantly a complex cooling process. The Phoenix was almost never seen with F-14 TARPS missions because of the need for air superiority to even do most TARPS missions and would only add drag. Plinking bunkers and tanks and doing BDA (battle damage assessment). The outer stations are mostly used and there, little restrictions are seen with AA loadouts. Mounting GBU's or even later (I might be wrong here) JDAM's on the cooling racks was used atleast once.

Doing both LANTIRN lasing and TARPS pictures was impossible from what I understand because the controls are not compatable. (you may see them in ferry roles) The GBU's are therefore lased by JTAC's by TARPS equipped F-14 with GBU's to spare (very rare sight from what i've seen). TARPS is there for doing BDA after lets say: after F-117's have destroyed sheltered parking bunkers for aircrafts. 

Lastly if you could mount sparrows on the forward racks you would need to remove the cooling racks next to it and that would mess with the ALQ-167 mounting. If the TARPS pod was mounted forward you might have room for the center aft sparrow but that would probably mess with wiring ports and mass. 

Stick with Sparrows on outer station 1B and 8B and maybe AIM-54C-ECCM/(sealed) /which needed no cooling racks unless you mount the ALQ-167 or GBU's etc which would then wire  cooling to any Phoenix if used on 1B and 8B.

I also want to believe the station next to the TARPS does not support a Phoenix because of the big missile wings. maybe only a GBU-12/16 could be mounted.