Too bad Cheney killed off the Tomcat.
Agreed. That plane was never allowed to show its true potential until it was too late. 14 years in service before getting the engines Grumman called for? 20 years in service before the navy completed its air to ground weapons delivery capabilities? And the navy never bothered to upgrade the F-14 from Sparrow to AMRAAM capability like the F/A-18 or the USAF did with the F-15 & F-16.
It can/could fly farther and faster than any version of the Hornet, land at a lower speed, carry as much ordnance, had a more powerful radar, and despite its reputation to the contrary, could out-turn any of the teen series fighters.
But the Hornet is cheaper and easier to maintain and fly. Hell, they’re not allowed to launch a Hornet from the deck until the pilots hands are shown to be OFF the stick!