Differences between F-14 and F-15
F-14 Tomcat vs. F-15 Eagle[edit]
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat and the McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15 Eagle are twin-engine, supersonic fighter aircraft developed for the United States military in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[1][2] While both were designed for air superiority, they were developed for different branches of the military with distinct operational requirements. The F-14 was a carrier-based fighter for the U.S. Navy, while the F-15 was a land-based fighter for the U.S. Air Force.[3]
The F-14 was designed as a fleet defense interceptor, tasked with protecting aircraft carrier battle groups from long-range Soviet bombers and cruise missiles.[4] Its most distinctive feature was its variable-sweep wings, which could be adjusted in flight for optimal performance at different speeds. For long-range engagements, the F-14 was equipped with the powerful Hughes AWG-9 radar and the long-range AIM-54 Phoenix missile.[4][5]
The F-15, in contrast, was developed as a pure air superiority fighter to counter the threat of Soviet MiG fighters. It featured a fixed-wing design and a high thrust-to-weight ratio, which gave it excellent speed and maneuverability.[2][5] The F-15 has an undefeated record in air-to-air combat, with over 100 claimed victories and no losses.
While the F-14 was retired by the U.S. Navy in 2006, the F-15 remains in service with the U.S. Air Force and several allied nations.[2]
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | F-14 Tomcat | F-15 Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Primary User | U.S. Navy | U.S. Air Force |
| Primary Mission | Fleet defense interceptor, air superiority | Air superiority |
| Wing Design | Variable-sweep wings | Fixed wings |
| Crew | Two (Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer) | One (F-15A/C) or Two (F-15B/D/E) |
| Key Armament | AIM-54 Phoenix, AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder | AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM |
| Radar System | Hughes AWG-9 | APG-63/70 |
| Notable Feature | Long-range engagement capability with Phoenix missiles | High maneuverability and thrust-to-weight ratio |
| Combat Record | Primarily flown by Iran in combat, with claims of over 160 Iraqi aircraft downed. U.S. Navy F-14s downed two Libyan Su-22s.[4] | Over 100 confirmed air-to-air victories with no losses. |
References[edit]
- ↑ "navygeneralboard.com". Retrieved November 21, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved November 21, 2025.
- ↑ "quora.com". Retrieved November 21, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "theaviationgeekclub.com". Retrieved November 21, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "sofrep.com". Retrieved November 21, 2025.
