The F-14D Tomcat was the most capable fleet defense fighter the U.S. Navy ever flew off a carrier deck. Grumman's proposal to make it dramatically better was called the Super Tomcat 21 — and it was, ...

Thus far, the F-14 Tomcat’s primary role—fleet air defense—has yet to be fully replicated by any of its successors. In September 2006, the United States lost its need for speed. That was the year that ...