Show Notes
US Navy carrier aviation underwent significant changes in the 1990s, with the retirement of several aircraft types and much debate over the future.
A team of visionaries realized the F-14 Tomcat would be more valuable if it could improve its multi-mission performance and do so quickly – so the team got to work adapting the Air Force LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) system to make the Tomcat a premiere precision strike-fighter.
Our guest is former F-14 RIO Dave “HeyJoe” Parsons, known to most F-14 fans for his books and incredible photographs, who was also a key member of the small team that worked miracles in getting LANTIRN on the Tomcat in record time. HeyJoe identifies the people who led the charge and describes how they made it happen.
This interview provides fascinating insights into military procurement, showing what a few determined people can accomplish, and explains why the Tomcat was an exceptional strike-fighter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from F-14 Tomcast
This is the 26th and final episode of the F-14 Tomcast season 1.
It is said that all good things come to an end, and so it was with the Tomcat’s service.
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In response to the 9/11 terror attacks, American and coalition forces commenced combat operations in Afghanistan with conventional operations commencing 7 October 2001. It was an incredible period in history, and our guest was a key participant.
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