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Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
Photo: Alan Wilson · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
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LockheedF-104Starfighter

Interceptors · United States · 1958
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LockheedF-104Starfighter

Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter Photo: Alan Wilson · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Speed
75
Rate of Climb
80
Service Ceiling
75
Radar & Sensors
15
Long-Range Missiles
20
Range
15
Readiness
30
Reliability
10
Technology
40
Cost-Effectiveness
20
Origin United States
ManufacturerMitsubishi, Lockheed Corporation, Canadair, Aeritalia
CategoryInterceptors
EraEarly Cold War
In service1958–1975
Operators15 countries
Quantity2,578
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
46
Interceptors MASS Rating
12/23
Early Cold War
58/87
All-Time
Interceptors · 10 axes scored
Speed
75
Rate of Climb
80
Service Ceiling
75
Radar & Sensors
15
Long-Range Missiles
20
Range
15
Readiness
30
Reliability
10
Technology
40
Cost-Effectiveness
20
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the interceptors category.
01 / Overview
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
Category
Production
1958–1975
Quantity
2,578
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
INTERCEPTORS · EARLY COLD WAR
12
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
20
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
46
interceptors category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the interceptors category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1954
  • Service Entry Year1958
  • Crew1
  • Primary RoleInterceptor / fighter-bomber
  • Generation3rd generation
  • In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
  • Engine TypeGeneral Electric J79
  • Engine ModelGeneral Electric J79
  • Number of Engines1
  • Thrust (dry, each)69
  • Thrust (afterburner, each)80
  • Thrust-to-Weight1
  • AfterburnerYes
  • SupercruiseNo
  • Thrust VectoringNo
  • Internal Fuel2,500 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed2,459.244 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)2.2 Mach
  • Cruise Speed900 km/h
  • Stall Speed300 km/h
  • Service Ceiling15,800 m
  • Ferry Range4,000 km
  • Combat Radius1,500 km
  • Rate of Climb152 m/s
  • G-Limit7.5
  • Takeoff Run800 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length15 m
  • Wingspan7.3 m
  • Height4.5 m
  • Wing Area18.218
  • Empty Weight6,350.4 kg
  • Loaded Weight11,000 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight12,000 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built2,578
  • Operators15
  • Variants20
▲Service History4MOD.4
  • Retirement Year2004
  • Production Start1954
  • Production End1975
  • Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1958Production started
  3. 1975Production ended
68
years in service
17
years in production
2,578
units produced
15
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
LOCKHEED F-104 STARFIGHTER · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory4country · 696units
696active
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE10terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
A helmet-mounted display system that allows pilots to aim weapons by looking at targets, tracking head movements to direct sensors or weapons.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST) is a passive sensor system that detects and tracks airborne targets by their heat signatures without emitting radiation.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Interceptors entry →