F-14D bomb loads

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I see a lot of F-14 models with only two bombs on the front racks. I know they can carry them on the rear also, but do they ever carry four? I’m thinking about 2 LGB’s and 2 JDAMS. Has this ever been carried by a tomcat in combat?

2

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3

I haven’t seen a pictures of JDAMS or other bombs on the rear racks, but they have only started using them in the last few years, so who knows. But I think they can carry JDAMS with the new GPS upgrades. I guess if you really want to get it right, see if you can find a photo from “Enduring Freedom” or “Iraqi Freedom” missions.

4

Here is a photo from RonUSMC’s picture server that shows an F-14 with 2 LGB’s but it doesn’t look like there is anything being carried on the aft mounts. It might be normal ops to carry only two bombs.

5

Hey out04,
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Also I’ll see what I have in my references.
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6

I’ve only seen two bombs on recent photos, but I have seen four JDAMS carried for testing and four “iron” bombs carried in training.

7

that’s a possibility most F-14s use the TER (triple ejector rack system) while F-18s uses MER (multiple ejector racks). If the 18s can why cant the 14s. But surely in the configuration you want it would limit the endurance of the real AC.

8

Does this help at all?
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/AWA1/401-500/walk493_Bombcat-weapons_Cochran/ Click on pics 1,2,3.[8D]

9

I posted this very question a few weeks ago. Here’s the answer I got:

You can check out the full thread here: http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10088

Regards,

-Drew

10

Thanks Drew, that pretty much clears things up. I guess if I had tried it first on the model I would have seen the space limitations.

11

ShamRage, looks like those photos are of the TARPS pod, but there are some good shots of the bomb mounts on the forward hard points.

12

I’m currently a member of VFA-2 Bounty Hunters and we just transistioned to the F/A-18F’s from F-14’s. I made two WESTPACs with F-14D’s and our normal loadout for a Iraqi Freedom mission was: 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders, an extra AIM-9 rail with chaff/flare dispensor (no missile), LANTIRN pod and a full 20mm gun load. We stopped flying AIM-54 Phoenix after the first few nights of the war. Now for the bombs loads: (load 1) three GBU-12 (500lb) + one GBU-16 (1000lb) / (load 2) four GBU-12 / (load 3) one GBU-16 (1000lb) + JDAM (2000lb)/ (load 4) two JDAM (2000lb). We also flew a TARPS pod mission with two MK-82 (500lb unguided bombs) and dropped them in combat. Im pretty sure thats a first. If anyone wants more speifics on loadouts and such email me at Flynavydan@yahoo.com

13

Dan,

Thanks for answering our questions! Were the two Sidewinders on the same pylon? If so, left or right?

Thanks again,

-Drew

14

nah on stations 1A (side of pylon) had a AIM-9 and station 1B had an empty AIM-9 rail for extra chaff/flares. That rail normally didnt carry a third AIM-9. Now on the other side, stationed 8A had a Winder and staion 8B had the LANTIRN pod. If you dont know the locations of the Tomcat’s stations let me know and ill get you a diagram or soemthing. Thanks man

15

Dan,

Thanks for responding. It seems as though, if nothing else, there was quite a bit of variety of combat loads used by Tomcats! I found a great walk-around on the web that explains the stations and even has a diagram of the AIM-9 rail you describe (LAU-138, right?). Could a sidewinder have been mounted to the chaff/flare dispenser rail?

Thanks again for answering our questions. But especially, thanks for your service to our nation.

Regards,

-Drew