Editing Grumman F-14 Tomcat (section)

===Improvements and changes===
Throughout production, the F-14 underwent significant upgrades in missile armament, especially with the move to full solid-state electronics, primarily allowing for better [[Electronic counter-countermeasure|Electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM)]] and more space for the rocket motor. The AIM-54A Phoenix [[Active radar homing|active-radar]] air-to-air missile was upgraded with the AIM-54B (1983, limited use) and AIM-54C (1986) versions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Raytheon AIM-54 Phoenix|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-54.html|access-date=24 January 2022|website=designation-systems.net|archive-date=1 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401085041/http://designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-54.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The initial AIM-7E-4<ref name="wapj7p545">Dorr 1991, pp. 54–55</ref> Sparrow [[semi-active radar homing]] was upgraded to the AIM-7F in 1976, and the M variant in 1982.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AIM-7 Sparrow|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104575/aim-7-sparrow/|access-date=24 January 2022|website=Air Force|language=en-US|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124164231/https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104575/aim-7-sparrow/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Infrared homing|heat-seeking]] missile armament was upgraded from the AIM-9J/H to the joint Air Force/Navy missile, the AIM-9L in 1979, and then the AIM-9M in 1982.<ref name="wapj7p556">Dorr 1991, pp. 55–56</ref>

The [[Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System]] (TARPS) was developed in the late 1970s for the F-14. Approximately 65 F-14As and all F-14Ds were modified to carry the pod.<ref name="Warplanes"/> TARPS was primarily controlled by the Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) via an extra display for observing reconnaissance data. The "TARPS Digital (TARPS-DI)" was a 1996 upgrade featuring a digital camera. The digital camera was further updated beginning in 1998 with the "TARPS Completely Digital (TARPS-CD)" configuration that also provided real-time transmission of imagery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sdl.usu.edu/programs/tarps-cd |title=Space Dynamics Laboratory: Tactical Air-borne Reconnaissance Pod System – Completely Digital |publisher=sdl.usu.edu |access-date=22 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621131545/http://www.sdl.usu.edu/programs/tarps-cd |archive-date=21 June 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1984, plans were announced to replace the existing TF30 engines of the Tomcat with [[General Electric]] [[General Electric F110|F110-GE-400]] turbofans.<ref name="Dorr p.70">Dorr 1991, p. 70</ref> An initial, interim, version just replaced the TF30 with the new engine, retaining the original avionics. These aircraft were designated F-14A+, which was changed to F-14B in May 1991. 38 F-14Bs were newly built, with a further 43 converted from F-14As.<ref name="wapj19p1324">Lake 1994, pp. 132–134</ref><ref name="iapr3p52"/> The F-14D variant was developed at the same time; it included the F110 engines with newer digital avionics systems such as a [[glass cockpit]] and compatibility with the [[Link 16]] secure datalink. 37 F-14Ds were new builds while another 18 were converted from F-14As.<ref>Friedman, Norman. "F-14". ''The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems'', Fifth edition. Annapolis MD: [[United States Naval Institute#Publications and products|Naval Institute Press]], 2006. {{ISBN|1-55750-262-5}}.</ref> The Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) notably improved the F-14's handling qualities when flying at a high [[angle of attack]] or in [[Air combat manoeuvring|air combat maneuvering]].<ref>{{cite report |url= https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA294267 |title=F-14 Flight Control Law Design, Verification, and Validation Using Computer Aided Engineering Tools |date=3 February 1995 |publisher=NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIV PATUXENT RIVER MD}}</ref>

[[File:VF-143 F-14 F-18 2005.jpg|thumb|VFA-143 "Pukin Dogs" F-14B (in the foreground) and F/A-18E Super Hornet in 2005]]
While the F-14 had been developed as a lightweight alternative to the {{convert|80000|lb|abbr=on}} F-111B, the F-14 was still the heaviest and most expensive fighter of its time. VFAX was revived in the 1970s as a lower cost solution to replacing the Navy and Marine Corps' fleets of F-4s, and A-7s. VFAX was directed to review the fighters in the USAF [[Light Weight Fighter]] competition, which led to the development of the [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet]] as roughly a midsize fighter and attack aircraft.<ref name="Donald">Donald 2004, pp. 13, 15.</ref>