Data Quality84%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the interceptors category.
01 / Overview
NF-104A Starfighter
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1962–1963
Quantity
3
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
INTERCEPTORS · EARLY COLD WAR
9
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
25
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the interceptors category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1963
- Service Entry Year1963
- Crew1
- Primary RoleAerospace trainer
- Generation2nd
- In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine TypeGeneral Electric J79-GE-3B
- Engine ModelGeneral Electric J79 and Rocketdyne AR2-3
- Number of Engines1
- Thrust (dry, each)73
- Thrust (afterburner, each)112
- Thrust-to-Weight1.03
- AfterburnerYes
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel3,000 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed2,190 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)2 Mach
- Cruise Speed900 km/h
- Stall Speed250 km/h
- Service Ceiling36,576 m
- Ferry Range2,000 km
- Combat Radius500 km
- Rate of Climb200 m/s
- G-Limit7
- Takeoff Run1,500 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length16.459 m
- Wingspan6.63 m
- Height4.3 m
- Wing Area24.5
- Empty Weight6.124 kg
- Loaded Weight11,000 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight12,000 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Internal GunNone
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesNo
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Nuclear CapableNo
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built3
- Operators1
- Variants1
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1971
- Production Start1962
- Production End1963
- Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1962Production started
- 1963Production ended
64
years in service
1
years in production
3
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
INTERCEPTORS RANKING Interceptors · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
47INTERCEPTORS9EARLY COLD WAR · INTERCEPTORS1449UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS67PERFORMANCE/PRICE · INTERCEPTORS
ⓘ Rankings are within theInterceptorscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE1terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources