HOME | DD

Description
Rosenthal's next block of upgrades were planned before Block 1 was completed.

Block II was significantly more extensive than Block I. Rosenthal used a combination of 3D scanning and 3D printing techniques, leveraging its experience as a subcontractor manufacturing parts for larger firms, to fabricate completely new wing boxes and wing-sweep mechanisms. The improved design, taking advantage of the more than 50 years of advancements in materials and manufacturing, greatly reduced the number of parts required for the sweep assembly, reducing weight and the amount of maintenance required. The traditional framed windscreen was replaced by a single-piece design from the ST-21. Finally, a large amount of the aircraft's skin was replaced by composites. The weight reductions necessitated recertification with Osean NAVAIR to ensure that there would be no issues with harmonic vibrations when launching from or landing on a carrier deck, an issue that had plagued the F-35 and F/A-18 during their development processes.

Block II also replaced the Tomcat's F110-GE-400 engines with F110-GE-432 engines, derived from the F110-GE-132 engines of Block 60 F-16s, for a maximum of 32,600 pounds of thrust per engine, bringing the Block II Quickstrike to the "promised land" of a 1.0 thrust to weight ratio at loaded weight.

On the avionics front, the APG-71 was replaced by an AESA radar derived from the APG-82 of the F-15E, much as the APG-71 was derived from the APG-70.

Finally, the canopy received a coating derived from that of HAVE GLASS V F-16s and the prominent fan blades of the engines received a RAM coating, giving the canopy a distinctive gold tint and slightly reducing the jet's radar cross-section.

With AESA, lighter weight, higher thrust to weight ratio, and improved reliability combined with the qualities that had already made the Tomcat one of the most popular Generation 4 fighters on the market, the Block II Quickstrikes were truly a force to be reckoned with, able to hold their own with nearly any Gen 4 or 4.5 aircraft they came up against, and being able to punch above their weight to a point against Gen 5s. In addition to Rosenthal's own air arm, the Block II upgrade package was marketed to smaller air forces who wished to revitalize their Tomcat fleets or wanted Gen 4.5 capability without the flaws of some of the existing platforms, such as the short range of the Super Hornet.

F-14D Bu. No. 167549, also known as "Leviathan," was the lead aircraft for the majority of the Block II upgrades, and received the last elements of the package by the beginning of 2021, with the rest of the Rosenthal fleet following along at a rapid pace.

In addition to internal changes, Rosenthal Tomcats also received a rather obvious external change: a 4-tone "splinter" camouflage scheme. After-Action Reports from Rosenthal's participation in RIMPAC 2018 made it obvious that the existing Tactical Paint Scheme was proving to be a hindrance due to the nature of Rosenthal doctrine, which revolved around flying low and at night. While this meant that their aircraft were extremely difficult to detect by electronic means, Rosenthal found themselves being engaged visually with almost maddening frequency, as the light gray of the TPS scheme was silhouetting the Rosenthal jets against the dark water or ground. As such, it was decided to paint the Tomcats in a dark paint scheme. The splinter pattern, while serving little tactical purpose, was chosen for two reasons: It provided a slight disruption of the aircraft when viewed from above, and evoked memories of the splinter camouflaged Tomcats at Osea's Naval Strike And Air Warfare Center, fitting considering Rosenthal's role providing aggressor support to the Osean armed forces. By the end of 2018 all Rosenthal Tomcats were painted in the new scheme, which they would wear for the rest of their careers.

Leviathan is shown here as she appeared around the year 2021, shortly after receiving her Block II upgrade. She is loaded for a standoff Suppression of Enemy Air Defense mission with a quartet of AGM-84J SLAM-ERs (AGM-84Ks with the unitary warheads replaced with Combined Effects Munitions bomblets), 4 AIM-154D Anacondas on dual rail launchers, and 2 AIM-9X Sidewinders. Anacondas are loaded instead of the ubiquitous AGM-88E AARGM because with its tri-mode AESA seeker, the AIM-154D is capable of functioning as an anti-radar missile on par with the AGM-88 while still retaining its air-to-air ability. Additionally, the smaller form factor of the AIM-154 enables more missiles to be carried, consequently increasing the number of targets that can be engaged by a single aircraft.

The owners of the property depicted herein and I maintain our respective rights.

This artwork may not be used without my express written permission.

Description
Rosenthal's next block of upgrades were planned before Block 1 was completed.

Block II was significantly more extensive than Block I. Rosenthal used a combination of 3D scanning and 3D printing techniques, leveraging its experience as a subcontractor manufacturing parts for larger firms, to fabricate completely new wing boxes and wing-sweep mechanisms. The improved design, taking advantage of the more than 50 years of advancements in materials and manufacturing, greatly reduced the number of parts required for the sweep assembly, reducing weight and the amount of maintenance required. The traditional framed windscreen was replaced by a single-piece design from the ST-21. Finally, a large amount of the aircraft's skin was replaced by composites. The weight reductions necessitated recertification with Osean NAVAIR to ensure that there would be no issues with harmonic vibrations when launching from or landing on a carrier deck, an issue that had plagued the F-35 and F/A-18 during their development processes.

Block II also replaced the Tomcat's F110-GE-400 engines with F110-GE-432 engines, derived from the F110-GE-132 engines of Block 60 F-16s, for a maximum of 32,600 pounds of thrust per engine, bringing the Block II Quickstrike to the "promised land" of a 1.0 thrust to weight ratio at loaded weight.

On the avionics front, the APG-71 was replaced by an AESA radar derived from the APG-82 of the F-15E, much as the APG-71 was derived from the APG-70.

Finally, the canopy received a coating derived from that of HAVE GLASS V F-16s and the prominent fan blades of the engines received a RAM coating, giving the canopy a distinctive gold tint and slightly reducing the jet's radar cross-section.

With AESA, lighter weight, higher thrust to weight ratio, and improved reliability combined with the qualities that had already made the Tomcat one of the most popular Generation 4 fighters on the market, the Block II Quickstrikes were truly a force to be reckoned with, able to hold their own with nearly any Gen 4 or 4.5 aircraft they came up against, and being able to punch above their weight to a point against Gen 5s. In addition to Rosenthal's own air arm, the Block II upgrade package was marketed to smaller air forces who wished to revitalize their Tomcat fleets or wanted Gen 4.5 capability without the flaws of some of the existing platforms, such as the short range of the Super Hornet.

F-14D Bu. No. 167549, also known as "Leviathan," was the lead aircraft for the majority of the Block II upgrades, and received the last elements of the package by the beginning of 2021, with the rest of the Rosenthal fleet following along at a rapid pace.

In addition to internal changes, Rosenthal Tomcats also received a rather obvious external change: a 4-tone "splinter" camouflage scheme. After-Action Reports from Rosenthal's participation in RIMPAC 2018 made it obvious that the existing Tactical Paint Scheme was proving to be a hindrance due to the nature of Rosenthal doctrine, which revolved around flying low and at night. While this meant that their aircraft were extremely difficult to detect by electronic means, Rosenthal found themselves being engaged visually with almost maddening frequency, as the light gray of the TPS scheme was silhouetting the Rosenthal jets against the dark water or ground. As such, it was decided to paint the Tomcats in a dark paint scheme. The splinter pattern, while serving little tactical purpose, was chosen for two reasons: It provided a slight disruption of the aircraft when viewed from above, and evoked memories of the splinter camouflaged Tomcats at Osea's Naval Strike And Air Warfare Center, fitting considering Rosenthal's role providing aggressor support to the Osean armed forces. By the end of 2018 all Rosenthal Tomcats were painted in the new scheme, which they would wear for the rest of their careers.

Leviathan is shown here as she appeared around the year 2021, shortly after receiving her Block II upgrade. She is loaded for a standoff Suppression of Enemy Air Defense mission with a quartet of AGM-84J SLAM-ERs (AGM-84Ks with the unitary warheads replaced with Combined Effects Munitions bomblets), 4 AIM-154D Anacondas on dual rail launchers, and 2 AIM-9X Sidewinders. Anacondas are loaded instead of the ubiquitous AGM-88E AARGM because with its tri-mode AESA seeker, the AIM-154D is capable of functioning as an anti-radar missile on par with the AGM-88 while still retaining its air-to-air ability. Additionally, the smaller form factor of the AIM-154 enables more missiles to be carried, consequently increasing the number of targets that can be engaged by a single aircraft.

The owners of the property depicted herein and I maintain our respective rights.

This artwork may not be used without my express written permission.