The rise of a great power: starting with military industry

The last F-14 'Bearcat' fighter completed its last take-off and landing mission on an aircraft carrier. Since then, the legendary fighter, which had been in service for 34 years, has officially withdrawn from the stage of history.

The announcement of this news by the US Department of Defense surprised the whole world, and also shocked and reluctant fans of the F-14 'Panda' fighter.

The F-14 'Panda' fighter can be said to be the most classic fighter during the Cold War, no doubt about it!

Even the F-15 and F-16 fighters are not as classic as the F-14 'Panda' fighter.

The F-14 'Panda' fighter jet has become a perfect idol in the minds of countless military enthusiasts with its unparalleled combat performance, domineering aerodynamic layout and rough lines full of violent aesthetics. It has also attracted countless fans and become popular among thousands of moviegoers around the world with the Hollywood blockbuster 'Top Gun'.

However, such a powerful and idol-like star fighter was tragically hit by the US military's arms cuts and became the first unlucky one among the same generation of fighters to be fully retired.

You know, it is generally believed that the performance and combat effectiveness of the F-14 'Panda' fighter are superior to the F/A-18 fighter currently in service in the United States.

As a result, the F/A-18 fighter became the only carrier-based fighter in service in the United States, while the F-14 'Panda' fighter with more advanced performance and stronger combat capability was eliminated.

The reason given by the US Department of Defense is that the changes in the international situation and combat requirements have made the F-14 "Panda" fighter unable to meet the needs. The original intention of the F-14 "Panda" fighter was to intercept Soviet supersonic bombers and supersonic anti-ship missiles at a long distance, so that they could not enter an effective position to attack their own aircraft carrier battle group. Therefore, the F-14 "Panda" fighter was equipped with the AN/AWG9 pulse Doppler radar and AIM54 "Phoenix" long-range air-to-air missile, which were considered artifacts at the time.

The AN/AWG9 pulse Doppler radar has a detection range of more than 300 kilometers for large and medium-sized aerial targets, can track 24 targets at the same time, and simultaneously attack the six most threatening targets. The AIM6 "Phoenix" long-range air-to-air missile has a maximum range of more than 54 kilometers, uses active radar terminal guidance, and has the ability to fire and forget, which poses a great threat to Soviet high-speed penetration bombers.

However, due to the demise of the Soviet Union, the strength of the bomber force has been severely weakened, and the threat to the US aircraft carrier battle group has been greatly reduced. The F-14 'Panda' fighter, which has a highly targeted design and relatively single purpose, has also lost its value in continuing to exist.

Secondly, the F-14 'Panda' fighter was developed too early. Under the technical conditions at the time, in order to improve flight performance, it adopted a complex variable-sweep wing layout, which not only greatly increased the cost and difficulty of production and maintenance, but also had unsatisfactory reliability. In addition, the US Navy began to purchase the new F-18E/F Super Hornet in large quantities, which not only had obvious production and maintenance cost advantages, but also maintained a strong commonality of parts with the original F-18C/D, greatly simplifying logistics support and more conducive to the efficient operation of aircraft carrier-based aircraft units.

Of course, what the US Department of Defense did not say is that the production line of the F-14 'Panda' fighter jet has long been dismantled, and the United States can only do basic maintenance. Even if it wants to purchase F-14 'Panda' fighter jets, it will be impossible to produce F-14 'Panda' fighter jets without five or six years of effort.

As for the game behind the military-industrial complex, it will never be made public.

The F-14 'Bearcat' fighter was developed by Grumman Corporation. In 1994, Northrop Corporation acquired Grumman Corporation to form Northrop Grumman Corporation.

The F/A-18 series of fighter jets were jointly developed by McDonnell Douglas, Boeing and Northrop Grumman, and McDonnell Douglas has been acquired by Boeing.

The game of interests here began as early as the 90s, and it was destined that the F-14 "Panda" fighter would be retired.

Liu Tao watched the news and sighed softly.

As the world's first third-generation fighter, although it is used as a carrier-based fighter in the United States, it actually has very excellent performance, which is fully reflected in the Persian Air Force.

Other third-generation fighters are still shining and will not be retired for at least the next 20 years, but the F-14 'Panda' fighter has retired early and can no longer compete on the same stage with fighters of the same generation.

If the Americans attach importance to the F-14 'Panda' fighter and continue to improve and upgrade its radar, avionics equipment and missile mounting capabilities, then the improved F-14 'Panda' fighter will inevitably be a strong competitor to the carrier-based model of the J-11 fighter.

As for now, even the F/A-18E/F carrier-based aircraft currently in service in the United States are no match for the carrier-based model of the J-11 fighter.

Unless the United States develops the fourth-generation carrier-based aircraft, in an air combat situation, in a one-on-one situation, the F/A-18E/F will inevitably be defeated by the J-11 fighter.

The two were not at the same level in terms of avionics, radar, or weapon systems. They flew the helicopter to the East China Sea.

Over the East China Sea, the Type 002B aircraft carrier 'Min' is conducting training.

On July 7 this year, the Party's Founding Day, the Type 1B aircraft carrier 'Min' was officially delivered to the Navy as a birthday gift to the Party.

The Type 002B aircraft carrier belongs to the East China Sea Fleet, and China's third aircraft carrier fleet is formed with the Type 002B aircraft carrier.

The Type 002B aircraft carrier is said to be the sister ship of the Type 002 aircraft carrier, but the two are actually completely different. They just look similar in size.

The Type 002 aircraft carrier is a conventionally powered aircraft carrier, while the Type 002B aircraft carrier is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Originally, the Type 002B aircraft carrier was planned to continue to use the same steam catapult as the Type 002 aircraft carrier. Later, as the electromagnetic catapult technology matured, it was directly installed on the Type 002B aircraft carrier.

There is even a peculiarly shaped gun on the Type 002B aircraft carrier. It is a laser cannon used for air defense and to destroy incoming missiles and aircraft.

This also gives the Type 002B aircraft carrier extremely strong air defense capabilities.

Liu Tao's helicopter landed on the aircraft carrier's helicopter pad.

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As soon as Liu Tao got off the helicopter, Zhang Zhaozhong and others came to greet him.

Currently, Zhang Zhaozhong has been transferred to the East China Sea Fleet as commander. It can be said that at the age of 54, he has a bright future in this position.

Liu Tao returned the salute and then inspected the Type 002B aircraft carrier.

"How is it? Have any problems occurred during this period?" Liu Tao asked.

Since the delivery of the Type 002B aircraft carrier, several training sessions have been conducted. Liu Tao is very concerned about the use of the Type 002B aircraft carrier.

After all, if there is any problem, it is better to solve it as soon as possible.

"Leader, no problem, it works very well, much better than the Type 002 aircraft carrier!" Zhang Zhaozhong praised with a smile: "The officers and soldiers on board all give it very high praise. We don't have to think about saving fuel all the time and worry about the oil tiger!"

The advantage of nuclear power is its almost unlimited endurance. The core of a nuclear reactor only needs to be replaced or overhauled after being used for 50 nautical miles.

By that time, the aircraft carriers will probably be almost ready for retirement.

Zhang Zhaozhong couldn't be more satisfied with the Type 002B aircraft carrier.

It is so advanced and powerful, he loves this aircraft carrier. (End of this chapter)