F-104G Starfighter

The Lockheed F‑104G Starfighter, a single‑engine, supersonic interceptor developed in the mid‑1950s, became the most produced version of the Starfighter family. First flown on 4 February 1956, the G model entered service with the West German Luftwaffe in 1960 and was subsequently adopted by over a dozen NATO allies, totaling more than 900 aircraft built. Its sleek, needle‑nose fuselage and small, thin‑wing planform were optimized for high‑speed, high‑altitude flight, allowing the aircraft to exceed Mach 2.2 and reach a service ceiling above 50 000 feet. Powered by a General Electric J79‑15 turbojet with afterburner, the F‑104G could climb at 50 000 ft/min and carried a variety of weapons, including the AIM‑9 Sidewinder missile, AGM‑12 Bullpup, and a 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon. The type served as both an interceptor and a tactical strike platform, proving adaptable to air‑defense, ground‑attack, and reconnaissance missions. Its widespread export and operational record during the Cold War cemented the Starfighter’s reputation as a symbol of Western air power, influencing subsequent fighter design and establishing Lockheed’s prominence in the high‑performance jet era. The last F‑104G was retired from active service in 1995, but many airframes survive in museums worldwide, preserving its iconic status.

Lockheed Corporation

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