Heatblur, in cooperation with IndiaFoxtEcho, announced via Facebook the release of the F-14 Tomcat for MSFS. This is Heatblur’s first add-on for the MSFS platform; in the past, they have released two military jets for DCS, including the AJS-37 Viggen and the F-14 Tomcat, as well as the currently under development F-4 Phantom.
About the F-14 Tomcat for MSFS
The F-14 was designed and built by Grumman Corporation. It was first introduced in 1972 with the U.S. Navy, replacing aging F-4 Phantoms II, and it served until 2006 when it was replaced with the F-18 Hornet series. Unlike the U.S. Navy, the Tomcat is still in the Iranian Air Force, with 23 being in service. The aircraft requires two people inside the cockpit, the first being a pilot and the second being a radar intercept officer, often shortened to “RIO.”
Soaring to an altitude of approximately 56,000 feet, the F-14 Tomcat showcased an impressive performance envelope. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney TF30 engines for the F-14A and General Electric F110 for the F-14B, allowing it to reach Mach Two speeds. The Tomcat featured a variable-sweep wing design, allowing it to change wing geometry to reach higher speeds.
The F-14, during its operational history, was active in several military conflicts, such as the Gulf War or the early stage of the Afghanistan conflict. Moreover, the F-14 gained recognition for its role in the “Top Gun” movie, an aircraft used by the main character Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
Heatblur Add-On Features
The add-on simulates two aircraft variants, the F-14 “A” and “B,” that mainly differ in engine type. The external model and the cockpit are highly detailed and built using laser scanning and photogrammetry taken of the real F-14 Tomcat preserved at museums.
The aircraft features accurate functions such as an Automatic Flight Control System, wing-sweep system, and detailed electrical, hydraulic, and fuel systems. Since the aircraft requires two crew members to operate, the developer introduced “Jester.” Jester is an AI RIO companion that will help during the flight and elevate the immersion.
The F-14 Tomcat is available at the Heatblur store for 34.99 USD, with tax included. For a comprehensive exploration of military aircraft in MSFS, delve into Noah’s article, where he meticulously reviews and compares nine distinct jets.
