The Maverick is back after a long span of 36 years and so has been his need for speed. However, he has been missing his old steed, the formidable F-14 Tomcat and its unmatched capabilities with its Mach 2.34 top speed, complex variable sweep wing system and the powerful APG-9 radar capable of tracking & engaging multiple targets from beyond-visual-ranges with its lethal AIM-54 Phoenix missiles.

In this high octane tactical dogfight and aerial battle among the birds of fray, we lock on to the USAF's latest & Top 4.5 and 5th generation fighter jet aircraft programs to analyze their abilities to meet Maverick's need for speed in the 21st century as a truly worthy successor to the venerable F-14 Tomcat.. We compare the venerable F-14 Tomcat with the other in-service, comparable twin-engine, twin tail U.S. fighter jets on technical specifications, armament & capabilities, in order, to zero down on to the supersonic flying machine which would come closest to matching the Tomcat's speed & maneuverability given that 5th generation modern tech, including, super cruise and stealth abilities have become critical for survival in a radically altered threat environment where multi-layered air defenses have become ubiquitous and long-range stand-off weapons norm of the day...