Lockheed F-104 Starfighter

The Lockheed F‑104 Starfighter, developed by Lockheed Corporation in the mid‑1950s, entered service in 1958 as a pioneering supersonic interceptor. Conceived by Kelly Johnson’s Skunk Works, the aircraft featured a slender, needle‑like fuselage, short trapezoidal wings and a powerful General Electric J79 turbo‑jet capable of producing 15,800 lbf of thrust with afterburner. These design choices gave the Starfighter a remarkable top speed of Mach 2.2 and a climb rate exceeding 50,000 ft/min, making it one of the first production fighters to regularly exceed twice the speed of sound. First adopted by the United States Air Force, the type soon found extensive export success, serving with air forces in Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, and several NATO members. Its versatility allowed adaptation to multiple roles, including air superiority, ground‑attack, and reconnaissance, though its high landing speed and limited range earned it a reputation for difficulty and attrition. Despite a controversial safety record, the F‑104 set numerous speed and altitude records, influenced later aircraft such as the F‑15 and F‑16, and remains a symbol of Cold‑War aerospace ambition. The Starfighter’s legacy endures in museums and as a benchmark for high‑performance fighter design.

Lockheed Corporation

Lockheed F-104 Starfighter

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Design & Classification