Fighter Jets
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
ICAO: F35
Overview
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was developed in the 1950s as a high-speed interceptor. Known for its thin, short wings and powerful engine, it emphasized speed and climb performance. The aircraft served with numerous air forces worldwide.
Live Fleet Activity (F104)
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 1 × General Electric J79
- Engine type
- Jet
- Thrust
- 15,600 lbf · 69 kN
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 1
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 54 ft 8 in · 16.66 m
- Tail height
- 13 ft 6 in · 4.11 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 3 ft 3 in · 1.00 m
- Wing span
- 21 ft 9 in · 6.63 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 29,000 lb · 13,200 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 6,150 lb · 2,800 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 1,340 gal · 5,100 L · 4,100 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 1,260 kt · 1,450 mph · 2,334 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- 180 kt · 207 mph · 333 km/h
- Range
- 1,420 nm · 1,630 mi · 2,630 km
- Fuel burn
- —
- Ceiling
- 58,000 ft · 17,700 m
- Rate of climb
- 48,000 ft/min · 244 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- 4,000 ft · 1,220 m
- Landing distance
- 5,000 ft · 1,520 m
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Live fleet activity details
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Operational Context
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter — supersonic interceptor
The F-104 first flew in 1954 and entered service in 1958. It featured a very small, straight wing and a sleek fuselage optimized for high-speed flight. The design prioritized rapid climb and supersonic performance over maneuverability.
Powered by a General Electric J79 turbojet producing approximately 15,800 pounds of thrust (70 kN) dry and over 17,000 pounds (76 kN) with afterburner depending on variant, the F-104 exceeded Mach 2. Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 28,000 pounds (12,701 kg). Armament included a cannon and external missiles.
The Starfighter served extensively in NATO air forces. While admired for speed, it also gained a reputation for challenging handling. The aircraft remains one of the most recognizable Cold War interceptors.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.