Iran: Satellites and Tomcats

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) 16-Jun 2011 – Iran sent its second domestically made satellite into orbit. The first satellite was launched in 2009. With that event, we wrote then about Iranians very much still alive F-14 Tomcats. Since that time new photos of these aircraft have also appeared.

With the retirement of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat from US Navy service, Iran is now the sole operator of this powerful fighter-interceptor.

Iran still operates approximately forty (40) F-14A-GR Tomcats, and reports suggest Iran has over one-hundred, (100) new reverse-engineered  indigenous AIM-54 "Phoenix" air-to-air missile rounds to arm them.

The AIM-54 Phoenix missile weighs over 1,000 lb (454 kg) each, and Tomcat can theoretically direct six (6) of these massive Phoenix rounds (launched nearly simultaneously) at six separate aerial targets. After launch the Phoenix climes to ~80,000 feet and accelerates to Mach 4+ then drives down on its target using kinetic energy, activates it own terminal-phase ‘active-radar' seeker to find and then detonate its enormous warhead near the target.

After 30 years, the aircraft seem to be in fine shape.

Due to this climbing, high altitude, acceleration "kinetic" launch profile, with respect to engagement ranges of current U.S. air-to-air missiles, the AIM-54 is today still - without equal.

The resourcefulness of the Iranians to keep their Tomcats airworthy (since the mid-1980s), can no longer be a subject of speculation by the Western defense community. 

We would simply add that most (if not all) in the Western and American intelligence establishment, had for the last 25-30 years, insisted that Iran could not (could never) maintain her Tomcat fleet and its complex systems and weapons. In 2004 material published out of the United Kingdom (authors Tom Cooper / Farzad Bishop) would shatter these Western assertions - and stood the test of time without issue, despite continued American attempts to dismiss even after its publication. It is now clear that those in the West who clung to erroneous analysis, are party to one of the greatest intelligence failures in modern history.

(Below) the sheer size of the AIM-54 Phoenix missile is apparent (USN).












The Iranians were originally offered the F-15A Eagle as well, but Iran recognized early that the F-15 was simply no match for the F-14s combination of AWG-9 radar and Phoenix missile.


Note that Iranian F-14A-GR Tomcats do not have the chin IR sensor like their USN brethren. Iran did not order the then available AN/ALR-23 IR sensor, electing to wait for the improved Northrop AAX-1 (TCS). However, after the 1979 Iranian revolution all F-14 support was halted by the U.S.


Iranian Tomcats in new blue-gray color schemes.









The Iranians were to get a reprieve in F-14 support during the Iran–Contra scandal in the mid-1980s under the Reagan Administration. Iran was able to acquire all manner of advanced Tomcat, AWG-9 and AIM-54 Phoenix missile part and systems support. The Iranians seized at this opportunity to reverse engineer this windfall of functional components and sub-systems, so that after the early 1990s, Iran reportedly had “resolved permanently” their Tomcat-fleet parts and maintenance issues.

Another remarkable photo showing extended (and functional) glove vanes of F-14A-GR just ahead of wing roots.



















Here is rare (four part) 1977 Grumman promotional film during Project Persian King - the delivery and training to Iran of their F-14A-GR Tomcats:














There has been (further) speculation that Russia was assisting Iran in upgrading its F-14 fleet with new radars, engines, missiles and canopies, however these reports appear to (also) be erroneous.


[Below] When these photo first appeared in Western press, there was surprise and some bewilderment. Iranian F-14A-GR with two MIM-23B ‘I-Hawk’ missiles (foreground) during 'Project Sky Hawk' trials.

Considering the fact that during Iran’s purchase of MiG-29 and Su-24, Iran did not allow Russian personal anywhere near their F-5s, not to mention their F-14s. Reports that airworthy Iranian Tomcats were handed over to Russia after the 1979 revolution for testing, appear erroneous.

During the Iran-Iraq war, Iraq did ship two (2) American AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles rounds off a defecting Iranian F-5 to Russia for analysis - and may be the source of the F-14 rumors. However, during the war some wreckage of one or two Iranian F-14s may have found their way to the Soviets for analysis.

The F-14 was not without its problems. The TF30 engines were prone to compressor stall under curtain conditions. Iran opened private negotiations with Pratt and Whitney in 1976 to address or replace, but after 1979 Iran has had to make due with the TF30 to this day. Also it AWG-9 radar was designed for over-water operation, radar performance was not optimum for ultra-low altitude targets over land. It should also be noted that operating costs for an aircraft are directly proportional to take-off weight.



Note that the port-side nose number appears be covered from view of the camera crew?

But the F-14 remains an impressive machine. During dogfight exercises at low level, the F-14 always beat the F-15 the F-16 and also out flew the MiG-29 (reportedly the reason Iran order so few MiG-29s). 


Iran has been exceedingly resourceful in keeping their Tomcats flying.

The Iranian Tomcat is surely one of the most intriguing topics in aviation. Tom Cooper / Farzad Bishops 2004 Osprey material has become the seminal reference on the F-14 in Iranian service and offers unparalleled visibility-insight into the entire geopolitical picture (of all state actors) from the 1970s to today. A remarkable work. 


Perhaps the numbers of people that still insist that all Iranian F-14s are now: rusting/sun bleached carcasses - is the most telling of all.

Due to countess upgrades and improvements done in Iran proper, the true capability of the Iranian F-14A-GR fleet is likely to be difficult, (as in the past) to assess with certainty?


Your thoughts?



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