Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
Summary
| Category | Combat aircraft |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| First flight | 4 March 1954 |
| Year of introduction | 1958 |
| Number produced | 2578 units |
| Average unit price | $1.4 million |
Description
Based on the experience gained during the Korean War, the F-104 was designed as a fast interceptor, sacrificing range for top speed and climb rate.
Its long fuselage was built around a large engine, with very short and narrow wings, which provided excellent speed performance but limited capability to carry equipment and armament. Due to its unforgiving flight characteristics and initial pilot casualties, the Starfighter received several unflattering nicknames, such as "the manned missile," "the widowmaker," or "the deadly aluminum tube."
Despite its reputation for being unsafe, the F-104 was selected for widespread export to NATO countries, following in the footsteps of the F-84F Thunderstreak and now the F-16 Falcon.
Technical specifications
| Version: F-104G | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 pilot |
| Operational range | 670 km (416 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 2137 km/h (1328 mph) |
| Wing area | 18.2 m² (196.1 sqft) |
| Wingspan | 6.4 m (20.9 ft) |
| Height | 4.1 m (13.4 ft) |
| Length | 16.7 m (54.7 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 15240 m (50000 ft) |
| Empty weight | 6350 kg (13999 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 13170 kg (29035 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 244.0 m/s (800.5 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 1 × turbojet General Electric J79-GE-11A delivering 4536 kgp, up to 7076 kgp with afterburner |
| Ejection seat | Martin-Baker Mk 7 |
Current operating countries
No country is operating the F-104 Starfighter in 2024.
All operators
Belgium • Canada • Germany • Denmark • Spain • Greece • Italy • Jordan • Japan • Netherlands • Norway • Pakistan • Turkey • Taiwan • United States
Photo of F-104 Starfighter
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