The size of the F-14 were necessitated in part by the state of electronics technology in the 1960s and early 1970s, which made both long range air interception radar and long range air to air missiles fairly heavy and bulky. If you want to have the ability to intercept inbound cruise missile carrying bombers before they can launch, you have to accept carrying a smaller number of larger and heavier fighters Like the F-14.
With contemporary electronic technology it is possible to make both long range radar and long range missiles much more compact. it is no longer clear that having a smaller number of F-14/J-15 sized fighters is still a necessary trade off. The better trade off might be having a larger number of medium sized fighters that can replicate the same long range interception capability as what only the F-14 could once offer.
With contemporary electronic technology it is possible to make both long range radar and long range missiles much more compact. it is no longer clear that having a smaller number of F-14/J-15 sized fighters is still a necessary trade off. The better trade off might be having a larger number of medium sized fighters that can replicate the same long range interception capability as what only the F-14 could once offer.