[BUG/FEEDBACK] F-14 Supersonic performance and AIM-54 Speed underpformance

MKdabess · 2025-09-21T01:37:41Z

[FEEDBACK/BUG REPORT] F-14 Supersonic Performance & AIM-54 Missile Speed

Module: DCS: F-14A/B (Heatblur)
Version: [DCS 2.9.20.15010 (not open beta)]
Date Tested: [September 19th. 2025]
Environment: Single Player, Caucasus maps

1. Issue Summary

The F-14A and F-14B appear to accelerate far too slowly at supersonic speeds compared to both historical reports and available engine data.
The AIM-54 Phoenix consistently underperforms in maximum Mach compared to declassified NASA test data and operational reports.
Both issues may stem from excessive modeled supersonic wave drag.

2. Detailed Description

F-14 Supersonic Performance

In DCS, both the F-14A and F-14B struggle to accelerate past Mach 1.1–1.2 at altitude, even in afterburner and at reduced fuel weights.
Sustained acceleration from subsonic to Mach 1.5 is unrealistically slow — in some cases nearly impossible.
Historical reports (e.g., Iranian Air Force accounts during the Iran-Iraq War) describe the F-14 rapidly accelerating from Mach 0.4 to Mach 1.5 while climbing from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft, closing distance on a MiG-25 that was already at Mach 1.8-2.2.
In real-world service, the F-14 was considered exceptionally fast at altitude, often leaving F-4s and F/A-18s behind. This is not reflected in DCS, where the jet feels drag-limited.
Notably, the F-14B in-game sometimes appears slower than the F-14A at high-altitude acceleration, despite having significantly more powerful F110 engines with better engine specifications.

Engine Comparison (sourced via NASA / manufacturer / Wikipedia data):

TF30-P-414A: ~20,900 lbf thrust, BPR 0.878, PR 19.8.
F110-GE-400: ~28,800–29,000 lbf thrust, BPR 0.87, PR 30.4.
The higher thrust and pressure ratio of the F110 engines should give the F-14B a clear supersonic acceleration advantage, which is not seen in-game.

AIM-54 Phoenix Maximum Speed

The AIM-54 in DCS rarely exceeds Mach 3.4–4 in optimal launch conditions.
NASA test data confirms the AIM-54A routinely exceeded Mach 5 in development launches.
Multiple operational/training reports describe Phoenix reaching Mach 4+ in real-world firings.
The in-game missile performance, particularly in maximum Mach achieved, is significantly under-represented compared to these sources.

3. Steps to Reproduce

F-14

Load clean F-14A or F-14B (>12000lb of fuel).
Climb to ~35,000–40,000 ft.
Accelerate through Mach 0.9 → 1.5 in full afterburner.
Observe acceleration rate vs. expected performance and historic documentation.

AIM-54

Load F-14B with AIM-54C.
Climb to ~36,000 ft, Mach 1.2.
Fire Phoenix at long range (>60 nmi) at target with similar altitude and speed
Track missile speed via F10/Tacview — note maximum Mach achieved rarely exceeds ~3.4.

4. Expected Behavior

F-14

The F-14A should achieve Mach 2.3–2.34 at altitude clean, per NATOPS.
The F-14B, with F110 engines, should outperform the A in high-altitude supersonic acceleration.
Rapid transonic/supersonic acceleration should be achievable under favorable conditions.

AIM-54

Test and operational data indicate Mach 4+ routinely, Mach 5 in some cases.
In-game performance should reflect this in high-energy launches.

5. Actual Behavior

F-14 struggles to pass Mach 1.2 in a timely manner; feels drag-limited.
F-14B often does not outperform F-14A in supersonic regime.
AIM-54 rarely exceeds Mach 3.4-4, well below documented real-world performance.

6. Evidence

NATOPS & NASA propulsion data (TF30/F110).
NASA AIM-54 flight test data (public domain).
Iranian Air Force operational accounts of F-14 vs MiG-25 encounters.
DCS Tacview/track files with a notepad file with data (The F-14s in the tacview will all have a loadout of 2xAIM-54C-mk60s, 3xAIM-7P sparrows, and 2xAIM-9M Sidewinders with no droptanks at 12200lb of fuel).

7. Additional Notes

Both issues suggest possible overestimation of supersonic wave drag effects in the F-14 and AIM-54 models.
This may affect not only top-end performance but also intercept mission viability (especially vs. fast, high-flying threats like the MiG-25/31).

8. Supporting Sources

Iraq-Iran War National Interest – “When Russia’s MiG-25 and U.S. F-14 Tomcat Fought to the Death”:
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/when-russias-mig-25-and-us-f-14-tomcat-fought-death-172204

Aviation Geek Club – “Tomcat vs Foxbat: The story of how IRIAF F-14 crews learned to shoot down the MiG-25 Mach 3 fighter jet”:
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/tomcat-vs-foxbat-story-iriaf-f-14-crews-learned-shoot-mig-25-mach-3-fighter-jet

AIM-54 Maximum Speed

NASA:https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20070025193/downloads/20070025193.pdf
Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIM-54_Phoenix

INSTRUCTIONS - READ ME.txt Fighter aim-54 launch data.acmi Mig-25 aim-54 launch data.acmi SUPERSONIC ACCELERATION DATA.acmi

I forgot to mention this issue seems to plague the supersonic performance of other jets made by Eagle Dynamics but I didn't want to put it in the main forum since, well, those are ED modules. Here's hoping the F-15C full fidelity is done right, and reworks of the hornet and f-16 would be nice as I strongly believe they are all underperforming to SOME extent (be it greater or lesser than the F-14 who knows I haven't looked into it as much as I did the tomcat) in supersonic acceleration.

DSplayer · 2025-09-21T01:59:28Z

I will note that the NASA AIM-54 is simulated as none we fired by NASA and the Mach 5 numbers are only for a significantly lightened missile (-250lbs) fired at 45 degrees, Mach 1.2, 45000ft with no guidance and locked fins. The current missile matches pretty closely to the NASA flight profile and speed for a typical Phoenix load.

Edited 2 hours ago by DSplayer

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