The F-14A Tomcat is a variable geometry carrier-based fighter aircraft. It has a bomber variant, the F-14B Tomcat, as well as an improved variant, the F-14D Super Tomcat.
The F-14A was primarily featured in early Ace Combat games; most games since Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War have replaced the F-14A with the F-14D. The F-14A was made playable for the first time since Ace Combat 5 in Ace Combat Infinity and was added to Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown through the TOP GUN: Maverick Aircraft Set DLC.
History
Strangereal
The F-14A was employed by the naval aviation wing of various armed forces in the Strangereal world, along with the F-14B Bombcat and the advanced F-14D Super Tomcat.
Tomcats were operated by the Scarface Squadron and enemy forces during the 1995 insurrection in the Skully Islands.[1]
During the Continental War, the F-14A was operated by Erusea and certain member-states of the ISAF's Navy. A particular operator of the aircraft was the Mobius Squadron, which employed such jets in carrier operations through the course of the war.[2]
F-14As were operated by the Yuktobanian Navy and the Osean Maritime Defense Force, and were commonly deployed during the attacks on Osea and the invasion of Yuktobania in the Circum-Pacific War. Various squadrons operating from aircraft carriers as the OFS Kestrel, including Marcus Snow's VFA-206 launched in defensive missions during the attack on Port St. Hewlett and the maritime retreat to the Eaglin Straits, where many of them were destroyed by the Scinfaxi's ballistic missile attack.[3]
Yuktobanian Tomcats were among the escorts of the cargo aircraft involved in the exodus from southern Yuktobania after the seizure of the Bastok Peninsula. Towards the end of the conflict, abandoned F-14As from the Kestrel's deceased flight crews were obtained by the Wardog Squadron, becoming their flagship aircraft as the Razgriz Squadron during their campaign against the Grey Men.[3]
Infinity timeline
In the Ace Combat Infinity universe, the F-14A Tomcat design was acquired by Wernher and Noah Enterprises following the Ulysses Disaster and was later mass-produced by the company's Advanced Automated Aviation Plant systems along with the advanced Super Tomcat. The model produced by the company was a hybridized model with Super Tomcat features, adopting the AN/AAS-42 IRST pod and the AAX-1 TV tracking system - never used by actual A models - while omitting the supersonic glove vanes of early-model aircraft.
Game Analysis
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
- "A large carrier-based fighter that replaced the F-4 in handling fleet defense. The F-14A became the basis for further models in the series. Its striking twin engines and variable-sweep wings, along with its appearance in movies, has made it well known even outside of aircraft enthusiast circles. Primarily designed to intercept large fighters and cruise missiles with its long-range air-to-air missiles, the F-14A makes the most of its variable-sweep wings, boasting superior maneuverability across a range of speeds. Its combat capabilities excel even at close range. Unlike the variants that followed, the A-type features "glove vanes" on the forward part of the main wings, making it easily recognizable. Its nickname is "Tomcat.""
- ― Hangar description
How to Unlock
- Acquire the TOP GUN: Maverick Aircraft Set DLC.
Statistics
Weapons
Part Slots
- BODY: 38
- ARMS: 38
- MISC: 38
Skins
- Osea: Standard grey
- Erusea: Iranian Air Force camouflage
- Special: "Red 31" aggressor skin
- Mage: Osea skin with Mage Squadron markings
- Spare: Osea skin with Spare Squadron markings
- Strider: Osea skin with Strider Squadron markings
Gallery
Osea skin
Erusea skin
Special skin
Mage skin
Spare skin
Strider skin
Ace Combat Infinity
- "A large, carrier-based fighter intended to take over from the F-4 as principle fleet air defense. It has variable wings that can automatically change angle even during flight, allowing for both high speed capabilities in high speed ranges and high maneuverability in low speed ranges. It is also equipped with long range missiles that can shoot down incoming enemies over a considerable distance. Known as the "Tomcat"."
- ― Hangar
| Lv. | Cst | Price | GUN | MSL | HVAA | SAAM | 6AAM | SP | MO | ST | AA | AG | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 475 | 21,630 | 483 | 90 | 4 | – | – | D+ | E+ | E | E+ | F+ | F+ |
| 2 | 511 | 3,180 | 531 | 94 | 6 | – | – | C | E+ | E | D | F+ | E |
| 3 | 547 | 5,730 | 579 | 98 | 8 | – | – | C+ | D | E | D | E | E+ |
| 4 | 583 | 10,390 | 627 | 102 | 9 | 12 | – | B | D+ | E+ | D+ | E | D |
| 5 | 619 | 18,450 | 675 | 108 | 10 | 14 | – | B+ | D+ | E+ | D+ | E | D |
| 6 | 655 | 84,800[a] | 724 | 114 | 12 | 16 | – | B+ | C | D | C | E | D+ |
| 7 | 691 | 72,510 | 772 | 118 | 13 | 17 | 40 | B+ | C | D | C+ | E | C |
| 8 | 727 | 148,400 | 820 | 122 | 14 | 18 | 44 | A | C+ | D | C+ | E+ | C+ |
| 9 | 763 | 254,400 | 869 | 126 | 15 | 19 | 46 | A | B | D | C+ | E+ | B+ |
| 10 | 799 | 513,040 | 918 | 132 | 16 | 20 | 48 | A+ | B | D+ | C+ | E+ | A |
| 11 | 846 | 761,170 | 966 | 136 | 17 | 21 | 50 | A+ | B+ | D+ | B | E+ | A |
| 12 | 893 | 1,036,430 | 1015 | 140 | 18 | 22 | 52 | S | A | C | B+ | E+ | A+ |
| 13 | 940 | 1,656,150 | 1063 | 144 | 19 | 23 | 54 | S | A+ | C | B+ | D | S |
| 14 | 987 | 2,238,720 | 1112 | 148 | 20 | 24 | 56 | S | S | C+ | A | D | S |
| 15 | 1034 | 2,789,920 | 1161 | 152 | 22 | 26 | 60 | S+ | S+ | C+ | A+ | D+ | S+ |
| 16 | 1093 | 4,571,570 | 1205 | 154 | 23 | 27 | 62 | S+ | S+ | B | S | D+ | S+ |
| 17 | 1152 | 5,808,800 | 1250 | 156 | 24 | 28 | 64 | S+ | S+ | B | S+ | D+ | S+ |
| 18 | 1211 | 6,529,600 | 1294 | 158 | 25 | 29 | 66 | S+ | S+ | B+ | S+ | C | S+ |
| 19 | 1270 | 8,344,320 | 1339 | 160 | 26 | 30 | 68 | S+ | S+ | B+ | S+ | C | S+ |
| 20 | 1329 | 10,523,680 | 1384 | 162 | 28 | 32 | 72 | S++ | S+ | B+ | S+ | C | S+ |
- Part Slots
- At Lv.1, this aircraft carried 14 BODY, 14 ARMS, and 14 MISC part slots. See Tuning § Slot Expansion for further information.
- Nicknames
- Upgrading this aircraft to these levels unlocked the respective nicknames for use at any time.
- Lv.3: Cat's Eyes
- Lv.10: Variable Wing Devotee
- Lv.15: Wildcat's Master
- Lv.20: Immortal
Skin Galleries
Description
- Air superiority gray
Gallery
Hangar
Flyby
F-14A Tomcat in aircraft upgrade screen
A Tomcat over Tokyo
The Tomcat shooting down an aircraft over Comona Base
The Tomcat chasing down a Searcher
Flyby
Description
- Dark gray/Brown/Yellow-black camouflage
Availability
- Limited-Time Drop (June 5–July 1, 2014)
- Purchase from the Special Supply catalogue for 100 (April 15, 2016–permanent)
Gallery
Hangar view of Normal Skin #01 (yellow variation)
Flyby of Normal Skin #01 (yellow variation)
Hangar view of Normal Skin #01 (brown variation)
Flyby of Normal Skin #01 (brown variation) with United States Air Force roundels
Hangar view of Normal Skin #01 (dark gray variation)
Flyby of Normal Skin #01 (dark gray variation)
Flyby of Normal Skin #01 (dark gray variation)
Description
- White, red, and purple livery from Air Combat
Availability
- Special Challenges
Gallery
Hangar view of "AC" Skin #01
Flyby of "AC" Skin #01
Flyby of "AC" Skin #01
Flyby of "AC" Skin #01
Flyby of "AC" Skin #01
Description
- Black, blue, and purple variation of "AC" Skin #01
Availability
- Special Challenges
Gallery
Hangar view
Flyby view
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
- "Large carrier-based air superiority fighter, known as the "Tomcat". Its variable sweep wing adjusts automatically to provide excellent mobility at both high and low speeds."
- ― Hangar description
How to Unlock
- Complete "Lit Fuse". Costs Ƶ14,800 per aircraft.
Statistics
- Speed: 68
- Mobility: 46
- Stability: 56
- Defense: 59
- Air-to-Air: 72
- Air-to-Ground: 26
Weapons
Colors
- OS: Air superiority gray with OMDF markings.
- RZ: Razgriz black.
- YK: Desert camouflage.
Gallery
Blaze's F-14A in Razgriz scheme
Blaze's F-14A in Wardog scheme
Marcus Snow's F-14A.
OMDF color in the hangar
Razgriz color in the hangar
A F-14A in Yuktobanian colors
Yuktobanian F-14A in flight
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
- "Carrier-based air superiority fighter. This jet can attack multiple targets simultaneously."
- ― Hangar description
How to Unlock
- Complete "Invincible Fleet". Costs $188,000.
Statistics
- Speed: Medium
- Air-to-Air: Above Average
- Air-to-Ground: Above Average
- Mobility: Average
- Stability: Average
- Defense: Average
Weapons
Colors
- Standard: Air superiority gray body.
- Erusea: Multitone blue splinter camouflage. Livery used by adversary F-14s of the United States Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center.
- Special: Black body with white wing leading edge and low-vis emblem of Red Baron character from Sky Kid. Costs $244,000.
Named Pilots
- Levy (Invincible Fleet)
Gallery
Ace Combat 2
How to Unlock
- Complete "Midnight Assassin" or "Bear Tracks". Costs $120,000.
Statistics
- Power: 80
- Defense: 60
- Mobility: 50
- Stability: 70
- Climbing Ability: 80
- Air-to-Air: 80
- Air-to-Ground: 60
- Duration of flight: 16 minutes
- Absorbability: Normal
Weapons
- MSSL x72
Named Pilots
Gallery
F-14 paint schemes from AC2
Air Combat
How to Unlock
- EASY
- Available at the start of the game
- NORMAL
- Available at the start of the game
- HARD
- Complete mission 2: Fighter Superiority
Price
- $6,000,000 - original price
- $5,400,000 - after first discount
- $4,800,000 - after second discount
- $3,600,000 - after third discount
Statistics
- Defense: 3
- Power: 4
- Mobility: 2
- Offense: 4
- Stability: 4
Named Pilots
- Sergeo (available as a wingman)
Gallery
The F-14 in the Hangar screen
Alternate paint scheme
Enemy F-14
Trivia
- The Erusean F-14A color scheme is a replica color scheme of the F-14A from the US Navy NSAWC (Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center).
- The Osean F-14A color scheme is a replica color scheme of the F-14A from the US Navy's VF-84 "Jolly Rogers".
- The Yuktobanian F-14A color scheme is a replica color scheme of the Iranian Air Force's F-14A.
- The F-14A Tomcat in Infinity is a possible reference to the real-life upgrade on a number of actual A models into the F-14D Super Tomcat configuration, hence the appearance of the aircraft. However, said upgrade completely turns the A models into D models, with the newer AN/APG-71 and the GE F110 engines. The F-14A in Infinity on the other hand looked like a D model configuration with the TF30 engine instead of the F110.
- The F-14A Tomcat's deployment in the Usean coup d'état is non-canon as the aircraft does not appear in Ace Combat 2's remake, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy, where it is replaced by the F-14D Super Tomcat.
- The F-14A's Special Weapons in Ace Combat 7 (LAAM, SAAM and SFFS) mark the first time the aircraft has appeared in any game in the series without a multi-lock missile since Ace Combat 5.
Footnotes
- ↑ Players could use one Nonstandard Upgrade Request Form instead of credits for the Lv.6 upgrade.
