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My post stands firm...the records indicate that the F-14 was a maintenance nightmare and built in 1972. This was the main reason why the Super Hornet was picked...less $$$$$ for maintenace and one less person in the cockpit. The increase fuel capacity and lighter materials in the Super Hornet makes up for the loss of the Phoenix extended kill range.
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Look, of course any plane that has been banging on and off carrier decks for more than 25 years is going to have huge maintenance issues. Most articles I have read concering the maintenace headaches involved with the Tomcat these days point to structural fatigue being the major source of problems, which is probably common to most, if not all combat aircraft of that age. I never said the current F-14's shouldn't be replaced, only wether to replace them with a massively upgraded and probably new built Tomcat, or an upgraded and new built Hornet. Belive me, a brand new Tomcat with digital avionics similar to the Super Bug and with improved structure would no doubt be similar to the Super Hornet in ease of maintenance.