Why The F-14 Tomcat Will Never Fly Again In America
Wikimedia CC / PH1 Ronald Beno, USN
Everyone wants to see the F-14 Tomcat grace the skies again. However, due to these 4 reasons, we might never see this iconic warbird in our skies again. Here’s why:
1. Scarce Spare Parts
The F-14 Tomcat, renowned for its engineering brilliance, presents a conundrum when it comes to spare parts.
Many components are no longer in production, rendering them difficult to procure legally. This scarcity poses a significant hurdle for maintaining and repairing these iconic aircraft.
2. Complex Maintenance
Operating and maintaining the Tomcat demands an intricate and labor-intensive maintenance schedule.
With every hour of flight translating to a staggering 60 hours of maintenance, the Tomcat’s upkeep becomes a daunting task.
3. Exorbitant Costs
The scarcity of spare parts exacerbates the financial burden associated with operating the F-14.
Acquiring these rare components entails substantial expenses, further compounded by the need for specialized equipment and tooling.
4. Political Implications with Iran
In efforts to restrict Iran’s access to F-14 maintenance capabilities, the United States has imposed bans on the sale of F-14 parts.
This restrictive measure extends to the destruction of surplus F-14 airframes in the US inventory, underscoring the lengths taken to prevent unauthorized maintenance of these aircraft.
