The AIM-9 Sidewinder, also shown, which is still used to this day, is a short range air-to-air intercept missile that can be launched at targets up to 22 miles away. This, in addition to any ground targets within range of the appropriate weapons, had the F-14's been equipped with The AIM-7M Sparrow, for example, developed in 1982 which the F-14 carried, has an effective range of up to 31 miles.

The F-14 is capable of locking on to up to six targets over thirty miles away and firing on all six targets simultaneously.

That way, the LSO knows how to properly sort the approaching aircraft by amount of fuel remaining, should the aircraft miss the wires, and be forced to make another landing attempt, divert to a land base, or join on the tanker for more fuel.īesides the defensive capabilities of the F-14 aircraft being represented by the lack of the use of flares and chaff to deceive enemy missiles, the offensive capabilities of the F-14's are misrepresented as well, presumably to mislead any hostile governments at the time. Three, the amount of fuel the aircraft has remaining, in this example 1,100 pounds of gas remaining. Two, the fact that the pilot sees the Ball, so that the LSO can take over control, and guide the crew down to a safe landing. One, the aircraft callsign and type of aircraft approaching, so the sailors working the carrier arresting gear know the proper tension to set on the wires for a safe landing. Once the approach controller tells the approaching aircraft to 'call the ball,' Maverick's reply, for example, should have been 'Ghostrider 203, Tomcat Ball, 1 Point 1.' That lets everyone know several important pieces of information. Anyone calling their aircraft over the radio would refer to the aircraft's mission callsign, in this case, 'Ghostrider 117' for Cougar and Merlin, and 'Ghostrider 203,' for Maverick and Goose. Additionally, the approach controller made radio calls to both Maverick and Cougar, referring to both of them by their callsigns, which is something never done over the radio. Call the Ball.' Then, the Landing Signal Officer is heard to reply, 'Roger Ball,' without ever hearing Cougar confirm that he had the Ball in sight. During Cougar and Merlin's approach to the carrier, the approach controller makes a call to their aircraft, 'Cougar, you are well below glide path at 3 quarters of a mile.

Ems topgun 3 inverted aim