14. Night Eyes for the Tomcat

#usnavy #aircraftcarrier #aviation underwent significant changes in the 90s with the retirement of several platforms and debate over future threats. A team of visionaries realized the #f14tomcat could fill a critical gap by improving its multi-mission performance with the rapid adaptation of a proven U.S. Air Force pod: LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night). On this episode former #f14 RIO Dave “HeyJoe” Parsons explains what it was like being a key member of the team that worked miracles to quickly add the LANTIRN to the Tomcat and the massive hurdles they had to overcome in the pod, F-14 community, and Pentagon.