“Tomcats and Eagles is a fascinating and important work that examines the development of weapons systems in a broad context of national strategy, international relations, and geopolitics. With ride-ranging implications for several fields, Tavoy’s work demands attention from scholars of the post-World War II world.” —Michael W. Hankins, curator, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and author of Flying Camelot“In Tomcats and Eagles, Tal Tovy places the creation of perhaps the two most iconic aircraft of the Cold War era into a larger geo-political construct. Using changes in both Soviet and American national security objectives, Tovy gives these aircraft their rightful place in the historiography. A lucid and authoritative look at fighter aircraft development.” —Brian D. Laslie, author of Air Power’s Lost Cause; command historian, United States Air Force Academy“Tovy’s fascinating study is not only a wonderful technography, it is also an in-depth analysis of the theory, politics, economics, industry, and military history leading to the decisions to field the platforms. The operational histories of the F-14 and F-15 are important; the context of the Cold War and decision-making present an invaluable contribution to the field of aviation history.” —Dr. S. M. Pavelec, chair and professor, Department of Airpower, Air Command and Staff College“Professor Tal Tovy has presented the best overview of the thought process of the United States Navy and the United States Air Force in the aircraft design, procurement process that I have ever come across. Mr. Tovy starts with the doctrine stemming from World War II, then proceeds to the Cold War leading into Korean Conflict, Vietnam intervention to present day. He highlights the combat capabilities of both the F-14 and F-15. Mr. Tovy leads us through the McNamara Whiz Kids eras (F-111 one size fits all) and the convoluted path to the F-14; the shock of the shock of the Soviet MIG-25 appearance to speed procurement of the F-15. He discusses combat operations of both aircraft by the many users. Anyone who wishes to look at the F-14 or the F-15; this is the book.”—John Hill, Researcher, Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum