An In-depth Look at the Design, History, and Use of Six Mighty U.S. Warplanes America's ongoing war on terrorism is a complex series of both overt and covert operations conducted in numerous countries, especially in Afghanistan, and waged by the military's considerable might on the ground, on the seas, and in the sky. Nearly all of these operations, from troop movements, surveillance, and domestic defense to the bombing of enemy positions and rescue and relief missions, are heavily reliant upon the support of air power. In this time of conflict, students are confronted daily with images of America's new war--images that often feature U.S. warplanes fulfilling their crucial strategic functions. As a result, there is a renewed interest among young people in these mighty machines and the pilots who fly them. Each lavishly illustrated title in the series will examine in great detail one warplane that has been used in the war in Afghanistan, discussing the plane's history, design, construction, capabilities, special features, weaponry, and strategic role past, present, and future. Born in the darkest days of the Cold War and designed to combat the menace of the Soviet Union, the F-14 Tomcat's mission has changed dramatically over the years--to patrol U.S. airspace for possible passenger jets hijacked by terrorists and to attack terrorist hideouts in the caves of Afghanistan. Adrian Gardner tells the fascinating story of the Tomcat's evolving role in a rapidly changing world. At the book's heart is a nuts-and-bolts description of the plane, its instruments, weapons, and capabilities, and the efforts made over the years to upgrade the mighty Tomcat and maintain its status as a state-of-the-artwarplane.