IIAF Commander explains why Iran picked the F-14 over the F-15

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A requirement emerges

Much has been said, written, and debated about Iran’s purchase of the F-14 Tomcat, a program that I led in the IIAF [Imperial Iranian Air Force]. The fact is, this was a well-founded and very justified decision, to the point of inevitability. It was rooted in a detailed study and thorough analysis of our country’s security needs and available options at the time. Time and subsequent historical events would further validate this. The simple truth is, that the F-14 Tomcat may not have been the right solution for everyone, but for us, it was the only one at the time.

Our geopolitical situation as a large country between the Soviet Union and the strategic Persian Gulf at the height of the Cold War presented us with rather unique security challenges. In the postwar period, we were a natural Western ally and growing closer to the United States. By the late 1960s, our front-line fighter force consisted of F-5 Freedom Fighters and F-4 Phantoms, which were very capable for their time and their mission of air-to-ground and shorter-range air combat. But newer threats were on the horizon. In this period, two major trends in the Cold War’s competition of military technology began to appear: high-speed and altitude Soviet combat aircraft capable of operations over large areas and a new generation of American fighter aircraft. None of these could be ignored in the least.

Weapons of the Cold War

By the late 1960s, newer Russian long-range bombers and cruise missiles emerged that were difficult to detect in time. These advances had greatly worried the US Department of Defense. Meanwhile, in 1967, the MiG-25 Foxbat was shown for the first time in an air show. It could reach a speed of Mach 2.83 and a flight ceiling of 67,900 feet and target aircraft from a long distance. At that time, the Foxbat had no competitors in the US arsenal.

The Department of Defense took note and, in 1968, asked American aircraft companies to design a new fighter with features such as lightweight, agility and maneuverability, speed more than Mach 2, and ability to identify and neutralize targets at long range. At the same time, it would need to be able to perform in close-range combat. By the early 1970s, two types became reality and were unveiled: the F-14 in 1971 and the F-15 in 1972. Although other models were under development, at the time most of them were still in the paper design and study stage and were not ready for operational evaluation.

The Tomcat

In December 1970, Grumman presented the F-14A Tomcat, a long-range fighter with a crew of two and powered by two Pratt and Whitney TF-30 turbofan engines. It could reach a speed of Mach 2.3 and an altitude of 55,000 ft. Its missions were fleet air defense for US Navy aircraft carrier battle groups as well as traditional fighter missions. Its variable wing geometry enabled it to fly at a relatively low speed (130 mph) all the way to its maximum speed. By varying the wing sweep, it could save fuel and achieve high endurance. It had unique handling characteristics, such as more stability when changing
speed or during sharp turns. In addition to the more common short-range Sidewinder and medium-range Sparrow missiles, it offered a uniquely capable weapons system in the form of the AIM-54 Phoenix missile/AWG-9 long-range radar. This was a major differentiator.

The AWG-9/AIM-54 combination could simultaneously track up to twenty-four targets, engaging six of them actively. This system was the longest range and most advanced airborne air defense system in the world by a long shot. It could detect and engage targets at over 100 miles. By contrast, the Sparrow at that time had a much shorter range, and its probability of kill was very low, especially at the longer end of its range.

IIAF Commander who led the Iranian Tomcat program explains why Iran picked the F-14 over the F-15
Iranian F-14A

While this was improved by the mid-1970s, the Phoenix still held for us multiple advantages over the Sparrow, some of which were: the longer range, which also meant greater energy and a larger envelope; ability to hit targets at higher altitude; a larger warhead; multi-shot capability; and an active terminal seeker to increase the probability of kill at long range.

The Eagle

It was fully capable of defending against Russian long-range bombers and cruise missiles or any other of their planes at high altitudes. The Tomcat was able to conduct a variety of key roles, such as long-range air defense, self-force escort, surveillance, and interception of enemy fighters. Its capacity to provide a large area of comprehensive air defense with a small number of aircraft was unrivaled.

Its technology was way ahead of its time and highly classified. For example, its central air data computer (CADC) was by far the most advanced computer of any fighter in the world at that time. It would be revealed many years later that it contained the world’s first microprocessor, whose mere existence was classified until 1998. As its specialty was air defense, we did not look to this plane for ground attack missions.

F-15s
USAF F-15s

In July 1972, the F-15A made its first flight as a medium-range single-seat fighter. It was powered by two Pratt and Whitney F-100 engines, could fly at Mach 2.3, and had a flight ceiling of 60,000 feet. Its air-to-air armament consisted of Sparrows, Sidewinders, and a 20 mm Vulcan gun. While it was a very capable aircraft that would ultimately take on multiple missions, its initial focus was on short-to-medium-range air superiority.

The Tomcat earned its place on the winning platform for the US Navy as a long-range air defense fighter, which secured the sale of 700 F-14 aircraft with a contract at the beginning of 1974. From then on, the F-14 began to take its place in the front line of American naval aviation.

Choice of Fighter for Iran Security: IIAF picks the F-14 over the F-15

At this time, a previously dormant Iran was increasingly awakening, and our mission in the IIAF was growing in scope. Our land, sea, and air forces were expanding and improving and gaining more combat readiness. The IIAF’s existing combat aircraft could readily handle ground attack and close air support missions. In order to defend Iran’s skies, however, it was now necessary to identify and counter numerous enemy aircraft from long range and at high altitudes. Iran had a unique set of geographic and military conditions. The developments in Soviet offensive capabilities such as high speed and
altitude combat aircraft just complicated things more.

IIAF Commander who led the Iranian Tomcat program explains why Iran picked the F-14 over the F-15
General Minusepehr in the Tomcat cockpit

Firstly, Iran is a large country, larger than any in Western Europe, with a long land and maritime border with the Soviet Union and mountainous terrain. This presented daunting challenges for air defense and radar coverage, especially in large areas of the country due to this terrain, resulting in many gaps and blind spots. These factors made us very vulnerable to offensive action by the Soviets and/or their allies, most notably Iraq, our longtime regional rival and enemy. Things became more urgent when at the end of 1972, the number of unknown flights in Iranian airspace had increased. In the IIAF high command, we began studying and debating options for countering this threat. The military leadership became convinced at that time, that the only viable option was the Tomcat.

Why Iran picked the F-14 over the F-15

The F-14 Tomcat was by far the most capable of establishing and maintaining air superiority over large areas without relying heavily on ground radar and control facilities with its uniquely advanced ability to simultaneously engage multiple targets, making it possible to accomplish its mission with relatively few aircraft. While we would use it as a land-based fighter, the role it needed to fulfill was not unlike that of a fleet air defender. The AWG-9 offered unprecedented and unmatched area radar coverage.

The Tomcat’s range and endurance enabled the air defense coverage we needed over vast space and time. It could expand its reach even further by working and partnering with the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). But even without the AWACS, the F-14 alone could conduct long-range air defense missions. In addition to all these unique
abilities, it also performed extremely well in short-range air combat, as long as its aircrew were properly trained and familiar with the aircraft. In short, the Tomcat was unrivaled in meeting our demanding needs and filled a sorely felt vacuum in the IIAF’s nationwide air defense mission against a large-scale threat. I became convinced at that time that the only viable option was the Tomcat.

Two armed then new IIAF F-14A Tomcats
Two armed then-new IIAF F-14A Tomcats

Photo by IIAF Association, IIAF Museum and U.S. Air Force

Till Daisd
Till Daisdhttps://www.aviation-wings.com
Till is an aviation enthusiast blogger who has been writing since 2013. He started out writing about personal readings since expanded his blog to include information and stories about all aspects of aviation. Till's blog is a go-to source for anyone interested in learning more about aviation, whether you're a pilot or just a curious onlooker.

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