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Tomcats and Eagles: The Development of the F-14 and F-15 in the Cold War
During the first half of the 1970s, two new fighter aircraft entered operational service in the United The Navy’s Grumman F-14 Tomcat and the Air Force’s McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. These two aircraft were part of the backbone of the tactical air power of the United States; their introduction was accompanied by comprehensive reforms in pilot training as well as new technologies and weapon systems. In addition to the tactical significance of the two aircraft as innovative fighting platforms, however, their development and deployment should be viewed within a broad geopolitical and geostrategic context.
Tovy explains how the F-14 Tomcat and the F-15 Eagle were an integral part of the aerial component of the conventional arms race within the Cold War. He argues that the trend of Soviet advanced weapon systems development created a perception of threat to the United States, challenging its conventional military power. Tomcats and Eagles explores how the Vietnam War accelerated the need for advanced fighter-interceptors, and that the lessons learned from aerial combat in Vietnam had a significant impact on the design and operational characteristics of the F-15. The author reveals that after F-14s were sold to Iran and F-15s to Israel in the second half of the 1970s, these jets were integrated into their armed forces, leading to Israel’s use of the F-15 during the First Lebanese War. Finally, the author provides an in-depth look at the operation of the F-14 and F-15 in U.S. actions in Southeast Asia, beginning with the Tanker Wars in the mid-1980s, through Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom, and ending with Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Tovy explains how the F-14 Tomcat and the F-15 Eagle were an integral part of the aerial component of the conventional arms race within the Cold War. He argues that the trend of Soviet advanced weapon systems development created a perception of threat to the United States, challenging its conventional military power. Tomcats and Eagles explores how the Vietnam War accelerated the need for advanced fighter-interceptors, and that the lessons learned from aerial combat in Vietnam had a significant impact on the design and operational characteristics of the F-15. The author reveals that after F-14s were sold to Iran and F-15s to Israel in the second half of the 1970s, these jets were integrated into their armed forces, leading to Israel’s use of the F-15 during the First Lebanese War. Finally, the author provides an in-depth look at the operation of the F-14 and F-15 in U.S. actions in Southeast Asia, beginning with the Tanker Wars in the mid-1980s, through Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom, and ending with Operation Iraqi Freedom.
312 pages, Hardcover
Published November 15, 2022
7 people want to read
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January 4, 2026
This book is somewhat misleadingly named. If you’re reading it to get the details on the F-15 and F-14 and their technological evolution as weapons delivery platforms, you will be disappointed.
However, if you’re reading this to get a better understanding of the evolution of tactical air power since the second half of the 20th century, you’ll be rewarded with a rich harvest of historical analysis that explains why the F-15 and F-14 were developed and why the US turned away from its neglect of air-to-air combat on the eve of the Vietnam War and back towards the attainment of air superiority and dogfighting as a key element of air power.
Tovy devotes much background to the rise of air power and the various theories underlying its evolution. Much attention is paid to the role of naval aviation by the Soviet Union as it emerged as a major maritime power. Tovy then moves on to explain how in the nuclear age, the USAF strategy morphed into strategic use, such as the delivery of nuclear weapons under Eisenhower and the policy of “Mutually Assured Destruction.” The book also delves into the glaring inadequacies of American air power in air-to-air combat during Vietnam. Time is also spent on the Israeli experience during the wars of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and how these among other things influenced American military leaders to move towards the reestablishment of tactical air power and the importance of air superiority.
However, if you’re reading this to get a better understanding of the evolution of tactical air power since the second half of the 20th century, you’ll be rewarded with a rich harvest of historical analysis that explains why the F-15 and F-14 were developed and why the US turned away from its neglect of air-to-air combat on the eve of the Vietnam War and back towards the attainment of air superiority and dogfighting as a key element of air power.
Tovy devotes much background to the rise of air power and the various theories underlying its evolution. Much attention is paid to the role of naval aviation by the Soviet Union as it emerged as a major maritime power. Tovy then moves on to explain how in the nuclear age, the USAF strategy morphed into strategic use, such as the delivery of nuclear weapons under Eisenhower and the policy of “Mutually Assured Destruction.” The book also delves into the glaring inadequacies of American air power in air-to-air combat during Vietnam. Time is also spent on the Israeli experience during the wars of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and how these among other things influenced American military leaders to move towards the reestablishment of tactical air power and the importance of air superiority.
Displaying 1 of 1 review