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Military Shreds Old Fighter Jets

Parts from "Top Gun" planes were landing in the wrong hands

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 2, 2007 5:32 PM CDT

(Newser) – The US military is paying a contractor to destroy its retired fleet of F-14 fighter jets, after evidence surfaced that Iran had been acquiring the old parts and was intending to rebuild the planes, reports the AP. “There were things getting to the bad guys,” the contractor says. In the 1970s, Iran--then an ally--bought the jets from the US.

Known as the Tomcat, the F-14 was immortalized in the Tom Cruise movie "Top Gun." The Pentagon is now requiring that scraps from the plane be scrutinized after demolition, to make sure nothing useful remains. One part that has proved too strong to be shredded is the landing gear, which must be cut by hand using a demolition torch.

One of the mothballed F-14 Tomcat fighter jets at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Monday, June 11, 2007, in Tucson, Ariz., awaits demolition. The Defense Department is taking new security steps and paying... (Associated Press)

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Pentagon Opens More Jobs to Women

Females will still not be able to serve as infantry, however: sources

Pentagon Weighs Syria Options

Arming rebels not being considered 'right now'

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

For Iran, Pentagon Wants a Bigger Bomb

Current 'bunker busters' don't go deep enough

We Can Overhaul Our Military-Industrial Complex

Smaller budgets can lead to leaner procurement process: Arthur Herman

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Parts from "Top Gun" planes were landing in the wrong hands

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iran • Pentagon • fighter jet • US military • plane

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Pentagon Opens More Jobs to Women

Females will still not be able to serve as infantry, however: sources

Pentagon Weighs Syria Options

Arming rebels not being considered 'right now'

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

For Iran, Pentagon Wants a Bigger Bomb

Current 'bunker busters' don't go deep enough

We Can Overhaul Our Military-Industrial Complex

Smaller budgets can lead to leaner procurement process: Arthur Herman

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Newser By Users

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