Lockheed F-104 Starfighter

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, supersonic interceptor aircraft which later became widely used as an attack aircraft. It was originally developed by Lockheed for the United States Air Force (USAF), but was later produced by several other nations, seeing widespread service outside the United States. One of the Century Series of fighter aircraft, it was operated by the air forces of more than a dozen nations from 1958 to 2004. Its design team was led by Kelly Johnson, who contributed to the development of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and other Lockheed aircraft.

The F-104 set numerous world records, including both airspeed and altitude records. Its success was marred by the Lockheed bribery scandals, in which Lockheed had given bribes to a considerable number of political and military figures in various nations to influence their judgment and secure several purchase contracts; this caused considerable political controversy in Europe and Japan.

The poor safety record of the Starfighter also brought the aircraft into the public eye, especially in German Air Force service. Fighter ace Erich Hartmann was forced to retire from the Luftwaffe due to his outspoken opposition to selection of the F-104.

The final production version of the fighter model was the F-104S, an all-weather interceptor designed by Aeritalia for the Italian Air Force, and equipped with radar-guided AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. An advanced F-104 with a high-mounted wing, known as the CL-1200 Lancer, was considered, but did not proceed past the mock-up stage.

Users

• Belgium
  • Belgian Air Component
• Canada
  • Royal Canadian Air Force - see Canadair CF-104 Starfighter
• Republic of China
  • Republic of China Air Force
• Denmark
  • Royal Danish Air Force
• West Germany
  • Bundesmarine
  • Luftwaffe
• Greece
  • Hellenic Air Force
• Italy
  • Aeronautica Militare
• Japan
  • Japan Air Self-Defense Force
• Jordan
  • Royal Jordanian Air Force
• Netherlands
  • Royal Netherlands Air Force
• Norway
  • Royal Norwegian Air Force
• Pakistan
  • Pakistan Air Force
• Spain
  • Spanish Air Force
• Turkey
  • Turkish Air Force
• United States
  • United States Air Force

See Also

Related Development

• Canadair CF-104 Starfighter
• Aeritalia F-104S Starfighter

Comparable Aircraft

• Dassault Mirage III
• English Electric Lightning
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
• Sukhoi Su-15