One of the defensive weapons of an F-14 consists of a fixed 6-barrel M61A1 Vulcan 20-mm cannon located on the lower left side of the aircraft, underneath the pilot.  The aircraft has 4 weapon pallets, and 2 weapon pylons, able to carry AIM-54 Phoenix, AIM-7 Sparrows, and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.  The heart and deadly aspect of the F-14 is its unique ability to carry the AIM-54 Phoenix.  The Tomcat was built for that purpose, and it is the only platform that can carry the Phoenix.  At most, the Tomcat can carry six (6) AIM-54 Phoenix missiles.  The Phoenix missile has a range of over 100 miles, and the Tomcat's powerful AWG-9 (F-14A) pulse-Doppler radar can track up to 6 targets at once. With the AIM-54 and AWG-9 working in tandem, the Tomcat can down aircraft without ever being seen by the enemy.  However, the expensive nature of the Phoenix missile deem this missile as a last resort or for use against enemy Exocet or anti-ship missiles.  The F-14 "D" model houses the APG-71 digital radar.

Miscellaneous Events

	The Tomcat just entered service at the end of the Vietnam war, although there was no aerial engagements it did participate in the in operation Frequent wind in 1975 where it provided top cover for the evacuation of the US Embassy in Saigon
	Tomcats were used as recon fighters during the invasion of Grenada in 1983 in operation Urgent Fury.
	Tomcat provided top cover for US fighter planes during the operation against the Libyan from March 24-26 1986.
	There was an engagement in 1989 between the US F-14 Tomcat from USS Independence and Iranian F-4's, although missiles was fired no kills was achieved from both side. The carrier was sent to protect the tankers coming in an out of the Persian Gulf.
	The Tomcat flew numerous fighter escort for Navy fighter Bombers during the Persian Gulf War.

Acknowledgement
Special thank to Elevon Aviation on the Net for its excellent data on Military fighters.