Grumman F9F-8 Cougar

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The Grumman F9F-8, also known as the F-9J Cougar, is a US Navy fighter jet that evolved from its predecessor, the Panther. To bridge the performance gap with Russian fighters, designers added a swept wing and a more powerful engine. Although it arrived too late to participate in the Korean War, over 1,900 airframes of this variant were produced. Later, the F9F-8 was modified to carry Sidewinder missiles and redesignated as the F-9J in 1962. The Cougar remained in service until 1974 when it was used as an advanced trainer under the TF-9J designation. From 1954 to 1957, the Blue Angels team flew the Panther's successor, the Cougar.