Editing Lockheed F-104 Starfighter (section)

==Variants==
{{Main|List of Lockheed F-104 Starfighter variants}}
[[File:NASA.F-104.Starfighter.JPG|thumb|alt=YF-104A hanging in museum in NASA livery|YF-104A, AF serial number ''55-2961'', [[NASA]] aircraft number ''818'', flown by NASA from 27 August 1956 to 26 August 1975, 1,439 flights]]
[[File:View of F-104 Wing.jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|Side view of NASA YF-104A showing thinness of wing and sharpness of leading edge]]

;XF-104: {{main|Lockheed XF-104 Starfighter}} This was the prototype aircraft; two examples were built and powered by Wright J65 engines (the J79 was not yet ready). The second prototype was equipped with the M61 cannon as an armament test bed. Both aircraft were destroyed in crashes.<ref name= "Bowman2000p35">Bowman 2000, p. 35.</ref>
;YF-104A: The YF-104A was a pre-production aircraft used for engine, equipment, and flight testing;<ref name="Cacutt1988p159"/> 17 were built, with the first flight taking place on 17 February 1956 and reaching Mach 2 for the first time on 27 April.<ref name= "Bowman2000p75">Bowman 2000, p. 75.</ref>
;F-104A: This aircraft was the initial production single-seat interceptor version, very similar to the YF-104A.<ref name="Bowman2000p76">Bowman 2000, p. 76.</ref> A total of 153 were built.<ref name="Donald1997p578"/> The F-104A was in USAF service from 1958 through 1960, then transferred to the Air National Guard until 1963. At that time they were recalled by the USAF Air Defense Command for the 319th and 331st Fighter Interceptor Squadrons. Some were released for export to [[Jordan]], Pakistan, and [[Taiwan]], each of which used it in combat. The 319th F-104As and Bs had their engines replaced in 1967 with the J79-GE-19, which provided {{convert|17900|lbf|kN|1|abbr=on}} of thrust in afterburner; the service ceiling with this engine was in excess of {{convert|73000|ft|abbr=on}}. In 1969, all the F-104A/Bs in ADC service were retired. On 16 May 1958, an F-104A flown by USAF Captain Walter W. Irwin set a world [[flight airspeed record]] of {{convert|2259.538|km/h|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fai.org/record/9063|title=Walter W. Irwin (USA)|website=[[World Air Sports Federation]]|date=10 October 2017 |access-date=16 May 2021}}</ref>
;NF-104A: {{main|Lockheed NF-104A}} The NF-104A was used for three demilitarized versions with an additional {{convert|6000|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} Rocketdyne LR121/AR-2-NA-1 [[rocket engine]], used for [[astronaut]] training at altitudes up to {{convert|120800|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/starfighter.html Air and Space Magazine: ''Sky High'' article.] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130116112504/http://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/starfighter.html |date=16 January 2013 }}</ref>
;QF-104A: A total of 24 F-104As (4 YF-104As, 20 early F-104As) were converted into radio-controlled [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drones]] and test aircraft. These target drones were able to be flown by onboard pilots as well as remotely controlled by pilots using radio-control equipment either on the ground or flying in other aircraft.<ref name="Bowman2000p76">Bowman 2000, p. 76.</ref>
;F-104B: The F-104B was a tandem two-seat, dual-control [[Trainer (aircraft)|trainer]] version of the F-104A.<ref name="Donald1997p578"/> A total of 26 built, the F-104B had an enlarged rudder and ventral fin, no cannon, and reduced internal fuel, but was otherwise combat-capable.<ref name="Pace1992pp40–41">Pace 1992, pp. 40–41.</ref> A few were supplied to Jordan, Pakistan, and Taiwan.<ref name="Bowman2000p77">Bowman 2000, p. 77.</ref><ref name="Davies2014p73">Davies 2014, p. 73.</ref>
[[File:Lockheed F-104C Starfighter USAF.jpg|thumb|alt=F-104C on display, parked on tarmac|F-104C at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]], [[Wright-Patterson AFB]], Ohio]]
;F-104C: A fighter-bomber for USAF Tactical Air Command, the F-104C had improved fire-control radar (AN/ASG-14T-2), one centerline and two pylons under each wing (for a total of five), and the ability to carry one [[B28 nuclear bomb|Mk 28]] or [[B43 nuclear bomb|Mk 43 nuclear weapon]] on the centerline pylon. The F-104C also had in-flight refueling capability. Seventy-seven F-104Cs were built.<ref name="Davies2014pp18–19">Davies 2014, pp. 18–19.</ref> On 14 December 1959, an F-104C set a world altitude record of {{convert|103389|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Bowman2000pp45,49">Bowman 2000, pp. 45, 79.</ref>
;F-104D: The F-104D designation was a dual-control trainer version of the F-104C. Twenty-one examples were built.<ref name="Donald1997p578"/>
;F-104DJ: This aircraft was a dual-control trainer version of the F-104J for the [[Japanese Air Self-Defense Force]] (JASDF). Lockheed built 20 F-104DJs, assembling the first at their Burbank facility, and shipping the remaining 19 to Japan for assembly by [[Mitsubishi]] and [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries|Kawasaki]]. After their retirement in Japan, the United States delivered some these F-104J/DJs to the [[Taiwanese Air Force]].<ref name="Bowman2000pp79,155">Bowman 2000, pp. 79, 155.</ref>
;F-104F: The F-104F designation was given to a dual-control trainer based on the F-104D, but using the upgraded engine of the F-104G. It had no radar, and was not combat-capable. The F-104F was produced as an interim trainer for the German Air Force. All 30 F-104F aircraft were retired by 1972.<ref name="Donald2003pp154–155">Donald 2003, pp. 154, 155.</ref><ref name="Paloque2012p20">Paloque 2012, p. 20.</ref>
[[File:RF-101C and RF-104G in flight.jpg|thumb|alt=Camouflaged West German RF-104G and RF-104G flying in formation|A German RF-104G in flight with a [[66th Air Base Wing|66th TRW]] [[McDonnell F-101 Voodoo|RF-101C]]]]
;F-104G: The F-104G was the most-produced version of the F-104 family, a multi-role fighter-bomber with a total of 1,127 aircraft built. They were manufactured by Lockheed, as well as under license by [[Canadair]] and a consortium of European companies that included [[Messerschmitt]]/[[Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm|MBB]], [[Fiat]], [[Fokker]], and [[SABCA]]. The type featured a strengthened fuselage, wing, and empennage structures; the larger vertical fin with fully powered rudder as used on the two-seat versions; fully powered brakes, a new anti-skid system, and larger tires; revised flaps for improved combat maneuvering; and a larger braking chute. Upgraded avionics included the Autonetics NASARR F15A-41B radar with air-to-air, ground-mapping, contour-mapping, and terrain-avoidance modes, as well as the Litton [[LN-3 inertial navigation system]] (the first on a production fighter).<ref name="Upton2003pp32–33">Upton 2003, pp. 32–33.</ref><ref name="Pace1992p81">Pace 1992, p. 81.</ref><ref name="Donald2003pp156–157">Donald 2003, pp. 156–157.</ref><ref name="Cacutt1988p165">Cacutt 1988, p. 165.</ref>

[[File:Lockheed RF-104G Starfighter van 306 squadron met Orpheus-pod 2193-002-008 0001.jpg|thumb|right|Dutch RF-104G equipped with Orpheus pod.]]

;RF-104G: The RF-104G was a tactical [[reconnaissance]] model based on the F-104G,<ref name="Donald1997p578"/> usually with three KS-67A cameras mounted in the forward fuselage in place of the internal cannon. Many of the 189 built were subsequently reconfigured to the F-104G standard.<ref name="Bowman2000pp85–86">Bowman 2000, pp. 85–86.</ref>
;TF-104G: A combat-capable trainer version of the F-104G,<ref name="Donald1997p578"/> the TF-104G had no cannon or centerline pylon, and reduced internal fuel.<ref name="Bowman2000pp89–90">Bowman 2000, pp. 89–90.</ref> One of the 220 aircraft produced was used by Lockheed as a demonstrator with the civil registration number N104L, and was flown by [[Jacqueline Cochran|Jackie Cochran]] to set three women's world speed records in 1964. This aircraft later served in the Netherlands.<ref name="Bowman2000p84">Bowman 2000, p. 84.</ref> A pair of two-seat TF-104Gs joined the [[Armstrong Flight Research Center|NASA Dryden]] inventory in July 1975 along with a Fokker-built former RF-104G.<ref name="Bowman2000p176">Bowman 2000, p. 176.</ref>
;F-104H: The F-104H was a projected export version based on the F-104G with an optical gunsight and simplified equipment. It was canceled prior to construction.<ref name="Paloque2012p21">Paloque 2012, p. 21.</ref>
;F-104J: The F-104J was a specialized interceptor version of the F-104G for the Japanese ASDF, built under license by Mitsubishi for the air-superiority role; it was armed with cannon and four Sidewinders, but had no strike capability. Some were converted to UF-104J radio-controlled target drones and destroyed. A total of 210 were built, three by Lockheed, 29 by Mitsubishi from Lockheed-sourced components, and 178 by Mitsubishi.<ref name="Donald1997p578"/><ref>[http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/f104_31.html Lockheed F-104J Starfighter] Retrieved 17 September 2016</ref> After being retired in Japan, the U.S. delivered some of these 104J/DJs to the air force of Taiwan.<ref name="Bowman2000pp79,155"/>
;F-104N: Three unarmed and lighter F-104Gs were delivered to [[NASA]] in 1963 for use as high-speed chase aircraft and given the designation F-104N.<ref>{{Cite web|title=F-104 Types|url=https://www.i-f-s.nl/f-104-types/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=International F-104 Society|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NASA research aircraft. F-104 Starfighter with NASA|url=http://www.916-starfighter.de/F-104_NAaSA.htm|access-date=5 June 2021}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>  One, piloted by Joe Walker, collided with an XB-70 on 8 June 1966.<ref name="Bowman2000pp93,175">Bowman 2000, pp. 93, 175.</ref>
[[File:F104s.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Italian F-104S parked on tarmac with underwing-mounted AIM-7 Sparrow missiles|[[Italian Air Force]] F-104S in original camouflage scheme with [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] missiles mounted under the wings, c. 1969]]
;F-104S: {{main|Aeritalia F-104S}} [[FIAT]] built 246 of the final production version, the F-104S (one of these aircraft crashed prior to delivery and is often not included in the total number produced). Forty of these aircraft were delivered to the [[Turkish Air Force]] and the rest to the Italian Air Force (''Aeronautica Militare Italiana'').<ref name="Matricardi2006p130">Matricardi 2006, p. 130.</ref> The F-104S was upgraded for the interception role, adding the NASARR R-21G/H radar with moving-target indicator and continuous-wave illuminator for semi-active radar homing missiles (initially the AIM-7 Sparrow), two additional wing and two underbelly hardpoints (increasing the total to nine), the more powerful J79-GE-19 engine, and two additional ventral fins to increase stability. The M61 cannon was sacrificed to make room for the missile avionics in the interceptor version, but was retained for the fighter-bomber variant. Typically two Sparrow and two (and sometimes four or six) Sidewinder missiles were carried on all the hardpoints except the central (underbelly), or up to seven {{convert|750|lb|abbr=on}} bombs (normally two to four {{convert|500|–|750|lb|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}} bombs). The F-104S was cleared for a higher maximum takeoff weight, allowing it to carry up to {{convert|7500|lb|abbr=on}} of stores; other Starfighters had a maximum external load of {{convert|4000|lb|abbr=on}}. Its combat radius was up to {{convert|775|mi|abbr=on}} with four external fuel tanks.<ref name="Bowman2000p108">Bowman 2000, p. 108.</ref>
;F-104S-ASA (''Aggiornamento Sistemi d'Arma'' – "Weapon Systems Update"): This was an upgraded F-104S equipped with the Fiat R21G/M1 radar with [[frequency hopping]] and a look-down/shoot-down capability, new [[Identification friend or foe|IFF]] system and weapon delivery computer, and provision for the AIM-9L all-aspect Sidewinder and Selenia Aspide missiles. A total of 150 were built, with the first flight in 1985.<ref name="Donald1997p578"/>
;F-104S-ASA/M (''Aggiornamento Sistemi d'Arma/Modificato'' – "Weapon Systems Update/Modified"): Forty-nine airframes were upgraded from 1995 to 1997 to ASA/M standard with [[GPS]], new TACAN, and Litton LN-30A2 INS, a refurbished airframe, and improved cockpit displays. All strike-related equipment was removed. The last Starfighters in combat service, the F-104S-ASA/M was withdrawn in October 2004 and temporarily replaced by the F-16 Fighting Falcon, while awaiting [[Eurofighter Typhoon]] deliveries.<ref name="Paloque2012pp18,21">Paloque 2012, pp. 18, 21.</ref>
;CF-104: {{main|Canadair CF-104}} CF-104 was the designation applied to 200 Canadian-built versions, built under license by Canadair.<ref name="Donald1997p578"/> Optimized for nuclear strike, the CF-104 NASARR R-24A radar with air-to-air modes was removed and the cannon deleted (both were restored after 1972). It had an additional internal fuel cell, and a license-built [[Orenda Engines]] J79-OEL-7 turbojet with {{convert|10000|lbf|kN|abbr=on}}/{{convert|15800|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} thrust.<ref name="Donald2003p148">Donald 2003, p. 148.</ref>
;CF-104D: The CF-104D was a dual-control trainer version of the CF-104, built by Lockheed, but with Canadian J79-OEL-7 engines. Thirty-eight were built,<ref name="Donald1997p578"/> with some later being transferred to Denmark, Norway, and Turkey.<ref name="Bowman2000pp100,115,117–118">Bowman 2000, pp. 100, 115, 117–118.</ref>