The shift from the F-14 to the F/A-18 seems now as an early harbinger of the military’s shift from ultra-specialized fighters into more versatile, cost-effective “jack of all trades” platforms.

In the minds of many, the F-14 Tomcat and the F/A-18 Hornet are inextricably linked. Although introduced nine years apart form one another—the F-14 in 1974 and the F/A-18 in 1983—both served as the primary fighter of the US Navy. Both are also featured in the famed Top Gun film series. But the F-14 and F/A-18 are very different machines, built to perform very different tasks. The F-14 was designed for fleet air defense and long-range interceptor. The F/A-18 meanwhile, was not built with interceptions in mind; instead, it was crafted as a multirole strike fighter capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. Both aircraft had their strengths and weaknesses, which were distinct from one another. Here’s a breakdown of the Navy’s two most famous aircraft in relation to the other. 

The F-14 Was Built to Defend the Fleet

The F-14, designed during peak Cold War tensions, was built to defend the fleet from incoming enemy aircraft. Accordingly, the F-14 was built big and fast—with a top speed of Mach 2.34 (1,548 mph) and with an impressive range of 1,600 miles. The F-14 excelled at beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements; equipped with AN/AWG-9 long-range radar, it could track 24 far-off targets simultaneously and then engage with the renowned AIM-54 Phoenix missile, capable of striking targets 100 miles away.

Of course, the F-14 is most well known for its star turn in Top Gun (1986), during which the F-14 is shown engaging, extensively, in within-visual-range (WVR) combat, better known as “dogfighting.” While depicted in the film as a capable dogfighter, the F-14 was not an adept in-tight fighter. In reality, it was respectfully maneuverable at high speeds, but in a lower-speed, in-tight scenario, its maneuverability was wanting. Basically, the F-14 was large and heavy and performed as you’d expect—impressive in a sprint, but far less capable in a dogfight against smaller and nimbler aircraft.  

The F-18 Was Built to Do It All

The shift from the F-14 to the F/A-18 seems now as an early harbinger of the military’s shift from ultra-specialized fighters into the more versatile, cost-effective “jack of all trades” platforms that have punctuated the post Cold War era. While the F-14 was built to intercept, and indeed performed admirably in that specialized role, the F/A-18 was built to do a little bit of everything.

The F/A-18 is smaller and lighter than the F-14, and has better maintainability, reliability, and ease of carrier operations. The F-14 is significantly faster than the F/A-18, whose top speed was limited to Mach 1.8 (1,330 mph). Moreover, the F-14 had a significantly larger combat radius than the F/A-18, which is limited to operating within 1,250 miles. Yet the F/A-18, equipped with powerful AN/APG-65/73 radars, had excellent situational awareness and multi target tracking, making it a capable BVR fighter. With respect to WVR dogfighting, the F/A-18 was far and away the superior model, thanks to the jet’s high thrust-to-weight ratio, fly-by-wire controls, and tight turning radius.

Will the two planes ever go to war against each other? It is possible. The US Navy continues to operate the F/A-18, but has long since phased out the F-14. However, the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to fly the now-venerable F-14s it inherited from the Shah following the 1979 revolution. In any fight between the two countries, America’s F/A-18s would likely take the leading role in confronting Tehran—meaning that a head-to-head confrontation could occur.

About the Author: Harrison Kass

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the U.S. Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.

Image: Shutterstock / Everett Collection.

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