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Subject: Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
Date: 27 Sep 2016 18:48:18 -0700
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_F-104_Starfighter
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, supersonic interceptor
aircraft originally developed by Lockheed for the United States Air Force
(USAF). 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 went on to lead or contribute to the development of
the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and other Lockheed aircraft.
The F-104 served with the USAF from 1958 until 1969, and continued with Air
National Guard units until 1975. The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) flew a small mixed fleet of F-104 types in supersonic
flight tests and spaceflight programs until 1994. USAF F-104Cs saw service
during the Vietnam War, and F-104A aircraft were deployed by Pakistan briefly
during the Indo-Pakistani wars.
A total of 2,578 Starfighters were produced, mostly by NATO members. A set of
modifications produced the F-104G model, which won a NATO competition for a new
fighter-bomber. Several two-seat trainer versions were also produced, the most
numerous being the TF-104G. The ultimate 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, did not proceed
past the mock-up stage.
The poor safety record of the Starfighter brought the aircraft into the public
eye, especially in German Air Force service. Fighter ace Erich Hartmann was
retired from the Luftwaffe because of his protests against having to deploy the
unsafe F-104s. The F-104 was also at the center of the Lockheed bribery
scandals, in which Lockheed had given bribes to a considerable number of
political and military figures in various nations in order to influence their
judgment and secure several purchase contracts; this caused considerable
political controversy in Europe and Japan.
In August 2016 it was announced that the F-104 would be used to launch small
commercial satellites into orbit.
Role
Interceptor aircraft, fighter-bomber
National origin
United States
Manufacturer
Lockheed
First flight
17 February 1956 (YF-104A)
Introduction
20 February 1958
Retired
31 October 2004 (Italy)
Status
Retired, except for private operators
Primary users
United States Air Force
German Air Force
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Turkish Air Force
Number built
2,578
Unit cost
US$1.42 million (F-104G)[1]
Developed from
Lockheed XF-104
Variants
Lockheed NF-104A
Canadair CF-104
Aeritalia F-104S
Developed into
CL-1200 Lancer and X-27
Clarence "Kelly" Johnson, the chief engineer at Lockheed's Skunk Works, visited
Korea in December 1951 and spoke with fighter pilots about what sort of aircraft
they wanted. At the time, the U.S. pilots were confronting the MiG-15 with North
American F-86 Sabres, and many felt that the MiGs were superior to the larger
and more complex American design. The pilots requested a small and simple
aircraft with excellent performance. Armed with this information, Johnson
immediately started the design of such an aircraft on his return to the United
States.
The F-104A initially served briefly with the USAF Air Defense Command /
Aerospace Defense Command (ADC) as an interceptor, although neither its range
nor armament were well-suited for that role. The first unit to become
operational with the F-104A was the 83rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron on 20
February 1958, at Hamilton AFB, California. After just three months of service,
the unit was grounded after a series of engine-related accidents. The aircraft
were then fitted with the J79-3B engine and another three ADC units equipped
with the F-104A. The USAF reduced their orders from 722 Starfighters to 155.
The subsequent F-104C entered service with USAF Tactical Air Command as a
multi-role fighter and fighter-bomber. The 479th Tactical Fighter Wing at George
AFB, California, was the first unit to equip with the type in September 1958.
Although not an optimum platform for the theater, the F-104 did see limited
service in the Vietnam War. Again, in 1967, these TAC aircraft were transferred
to the Air National Guard.
The USAF was less than satisfied with the Starfighter and procured only 296
examples in single-seat and two-seat versions. At the time, USAF doctrine placed
little importance on air superiority (the fighter-to-fighter mission), and the
Starfighter was deemed inadequate for either the interceptor (meaning
fighter-to-bomber) or tactical fighter-bomber role, lacking both payload
capability and endurance compared to other USAF aircraft. The F-104's U.S.
service was quickly wound down after 1965. The last F-104As in regular USAF
service were re-engined with more powerful and more reliable J79-GE-19 engines
in 1967. The last USAF Starfighters left service in Regular Air Force in 1969,
but the aircraft continued in use with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard until
1975 when it was replaced in that organization by the A-7 Corsair II.
Specifications (F-104G)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 54 ft 8 in (16.66 m)
Wingspan: 21 ft 9 in (6.36 m)
Height: 13 ft 6 in (4.09 m)
Airfoil: Biconvex 3.36% root and tip
Empty weight: 14,000 lb (6,350 kg)
Loaded weight: 20,640 lb (9,365 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 29,027 lb (13,170 kg)
10,000 lbf (48 kN)
Thrust with afterburner: 15,600 lbf (69 kN)
Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0172
Aspect ratio: 2.45
Performance
Maximum speed: 1,328 mph (Mach 2.01, 1,154 kn, 2,137 km/h)
Combat radius: 420 mi (365 nmi, 670 km)
Ferry range: 1,630 mi (1,420 nm, 2,623 km)
Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
Rate of climb: Initially 48,000 ft/min (244 m/s)
Thrust/weight: 0.54 with max. takeoff weight (0.76 loaded)
Lift-to-drag ratio: 9.2
Armament
Hardpoints: 7 with a capacity of 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) and provisions to carry
Other: Bombs, rockets, or other stores
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