The Shah flew into action again. Sometime between 1970 and 1972, he even requested a briefing on the Lockheed YF-12 – the stillborn interceptor variant of the famous SR-71 Blackbird, a Mach-three-capable strategic reconnaissance aircraft.
That deal never materialized, but the two next did. One was the Iranian order for 80 F-14 Tomcats. The other was for seven Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS. While the E-3 was still in development as of 1973, the Tomcat was ready … sort of.
The yf-12 was a long-range Interceptorand guess what was developed for it? the Phoenix missile system
when the yf12 didn’t come to fruition what’s the only other aircraft that carried the long-range Phoenix missile system? the F-14 Tomcat
the Tomcat was a long-range Interceptor with the Phoenix missile system that could also function as an air superiority fighter versus the F-15 which is just an air superiority fighter that did not carry the Phoenix missile system
I forgot to add there were some other aircrafy that we’re going to carry the Phoenix system
The F111b which was a flop and that’s what the Tomcat was developed to replace
Douglas it had the F6D missile on the drawing board again that was also a Navy aircraft that was basically just a missile hauler ..a sub sonic aircraft ...it was the missile system the Phoenix that could reach out to a hundred miles that was really the driving force
Good conclusion. Also, the Phoenix missile system included a radar that could independently track and engage multiple targets. That is a very powerful BVR strategic air defense system as opposed to a shaky Sparrow missile and the short range Sidewinder.