US Navy carrier aviation underwent significant changes in the 1990s, with the retirement of several aircraft types and much debate over the future.

A team of visionaries realized the F-14 Tomcat would be more valuable if it could improve its multi-mission performance and do so quickly – so the team got to work adapting the Air Force LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) system to make the Tomcat a premiere precision strike-fighter.

Our guest is former F-14 RIO Dave “HeyJoe” Parsons, known to most F-14 fans for his books and incredible photographs, who was also a key member of the small team that worked miracles in getting LANTIRN on the Tomcat in record time. HeyJoe identifies the people who led the charge and describes how they made it happen.

This interview provides fascinating insights into military procurement, showing what a few determined people can accomplish, and explains why the Tomcat was an exceptional strike-fighter.