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Old August 22nd 06, 03:09 PM posted to rec.aviation.military.naval
Airyx
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Default A New Threat to The USA, Iranian F-14 Tomcats? Answer it ...


St. John Smythe wrote:

Does this mean Iran has solved the replacement parts problem?


For a long time they cannibalized the fleet of 70 to keep examples
flying. They eventually got down to only 7 flyable Tomcats and no
functioning Aim-54's (the solid fuel propellant expired). Since then,
they have reverse engineered some of the spare parts needed, and have a
few more flyable Tomcats, but not enough to fill out a squadron.

I don't think they've been able to fix the propellant problems with the
Aim-54s. They pretty much just use the AWG-9 as an AWACs system.