Can anyone provide more information about Grumman "New Simulation Lab" in Building 14 at Bethpage (purported new Super Tomcat ST‑21 simulator cockpit

[Jacky]

A friend and I are developing an ST‑21 mod for DCS. We came across a photo of a new Grumman simulator from that era in the April 28, 1989 issue (Vol. 8, No. 8) of Grumman World. Based on available ST‑21 configuration data, we believe the cockpit layout shown in the photo was likely intended for the ST‑21. However, as the image is black‑and‑white and low‑resolution, we cannot discern the specific details. We speculate that the MFD layout might resemble that of the F‑15E, though it is also possible that it was based on the F‑14D configuration with the addition of a single 5×5 MFD. Could anyone provide us with further details?

 

[flateric]

Have you seen this?
Post in thread 'F-14 Tomcat Projects' https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/f-14-tomcat-projects.589/post-367672

 

[Jacky]

Have you seen this?
Post in thread 'F-14 Tomcat Projects' https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/f-14-tomcat-projects.589/post-367672

We believe the cockpit you cited is unlikely to belong to the ST‑21; it is far more likely to be from the ASF‑14. This is because a report we found mentions the "F‑14 Advanced Strike Fighter" but makes no reference to the ST‑21. Furthermore, the ST‑21 configuration list only four 6×6-in MFDs and three 5×5-in MFDs. Neither the A‑12 nor the F‑22 projects—which were contemporary to that era—utilized such a radical cockpit design. Most importantly, the report explicitly mentions the ST‑21.

 

[flateric]

I'd try Northrop Grumman / Grumman veterans FB groups

 

[DWG]

We believe the cockpit you cited is unlikely to belong to the ST‑21; it is far more likely to be from the ASF‑14. This is because a report we found mentions the "F‑14 Advanced Strike Fighter" but makes no reference to the ST‑21. Furthermore, the ST‑21 configuration list only four 6×6-in MFDs and three 5×5-in MFDs. Neither the A‑12 nor the F‑22 projects—which were contemporary to that era—utilized such a radical cockpit design. Most importantly, the report explicitly mentions the ST‑21.

Note that the right hand image lists a HUD for ST-21, which the advanced cockpit doesn't have room for.

I'd also note the advanced cockpit is going to be an utter pain if the synthetic vision system fails and you need to see over the top of it for landing.

 

[Jacky]

Note that the right hand image lists a HUD for ST-21, which the advanced cockpit doesn't have room for.

I'd also note the advanced cockpit is going to be an utter pain if the synthetic vision system fails and you need to see over the top of it for landing.

We are currently conducting cockpit modeling following the ST‑21 configuration list instead of the existing ASF‑14 cockpit model. In addition, I believe the ASF‑14 merely omits the HUD as in the F‑35, rather than lacking physical space for HUD installation.

 

[DWG]

I believe the ASF‑14 merely omits the HUD as in the F‑35, rather than lacking physical space for HUD installation.

Look at the image at https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/f-14-tomcat-projects.589/post-367672, as linked by flateric, as that shows the situation clearly. The widescreen MFD, and the small MFD above it, occupy the space where a HUD would normally sit. There's not space for a HUD combiner above the new layer of MFDs and below the canopy.