Since its first flight in 1970, the F-14 Tomcat has been one of the premier air defense aircraft.
Starting in 1990, the F-14A, known for its long range and superior weapons systems, was developed into a fighter-bomber in addition to its role as an interceptor.
For this new task, the Tomcat was equipped with a new arsenal of weapons.
Since 1996, the F-14A has had the AN/AAQ-14 targeting device, referred to as LANTIRN.
This homing head gives the F-14A precision bombing capability by providing targets for nose-mounted infrared lasers or other laser-guided weapons.
The AN/AAQ-14 homing head includes a high-resolution, forward-looking infrared sensor (which displays an infrared image of the target to the pilot), a laser rangefinder for precise use of laser-guided munitions, target tracking software and more. In combination with GBU-16 and GBU-24 guided bombs, the LANTIRN enables precision strikes with a tiny margin of error from several meters down to ten centimeters.
This precision can also be achieved at long distances.
The VF-154 Black Knights was stationed on the USS Kittyhawk, which was docked in Yokosuka, Japan.
The Black Knights were formed after World War II and saw action in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
The F-14As were deployed with VF-154 beginning in 1984 and saw extensive use in Operation Desert Shield in 1990 during the Persian Gulf War.
Plastic model kit
- Two figures
- Movable wings
- Wingspan 598 mm, length 612 mm
Scale 1:32
unbuilt / unpainted
Write now your personal experience with this article and help others with their purchase decision.