The implications of the Navy's decision to spend about $2.5 billion between fiscal years 1994 and 2003 for a limited ground attack upgrade and other modifications to about 200 F-14 Tomcat fighters was evaluated. This upgrade was included to add limited ground attack capability and other improvements to 210 F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft. According to the Navy, the ground attack capabilities were required to partially compensate for the loss in combat capabilities during the period starting in 1997, when all of its A-6E Intruder attack aircraft are scheduled to be retired, to the turn of the century when the F/A-18E/F, the next generation strike fighter, is scheduled to arrive. Although the Navy justified F-14 attack upgrades as necessary to replace some capability that will be lost when it retires all A-6E attack aircraft by fiscal year 1998, planned upgrades will not include an air-to-ground radar for precision ground mapping that would permit crews to locate, identify, and attack targets in adverse weather and poor visibility. In addition, no F-14s will be able to launch current or planned precision munitions or stand-off weapons, except for LGBS. Upgraded F-14s generally have greater range than the F/A-18C and could possibly reach targets beyond the Hornet's range. However, this capability may not be needed with the Navy's shift to a littoral warfare strategy. If greater range is needed, the Navy's Tomahawk cruise missile can attack targets up to a range of about 700 miles, and Air Force bombers have even greater range. Both supplement and complement carrier aviation in striking deep within enemy territory. The Navy has not made a compelling case to proceed with its $2.5 billion plan.


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