This color picture explains to its viewer the The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter — a single-engine, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force. One of the Century Series of fighter aircraft, it was operated by the air forces of more than a dozen nations beginning in 1958 (and lasting to 2004). The narrator touts the aircraft’s greatness starting at mark 00:30, explaining how it can fly in any weather and at any hour, day or night, and capable of missions that include photo reconnaissance, interdiction, close support, interception, air superiority, and nuclear weapon delivery — all of which are identified as the film shows various angles of the aircraft. The narrator goes on to offer detailed information on all of those potential uses, aided by a series of illustrations. Among the illustrations are those showing systems needed to fire weapons (mark 03:09) such as the NASARR radar system, and possible armaments including an M-61 gun and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles (mark 06:09). The F-104 Starfighter can also function as a nuclear bomber, the narrator reminds the viewer at mark 09:09, as he details the onboard navigational computer, PHI computer, and M2 bombing computer. At 12:00, the aircraft is shown scrambling in its interceptor role, and shooting down a target drone. Various other missions are shown including interdiction, air superiority and delivery of a nuclear bomb, as well as reconnaissance.
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed by Lockheed for the United States Air Force (USAF). One of the Century Series of fighter aircraft, it was operated by the air forces of more than a dozen nations from 1958 to 2004. Its design team was led by Kelly Johnson, who went on to lead or contribute to the development of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and other Lockheed aircraft.
The F-104 served with the USAF from 1958 until 1969, and continued with Air National Guard units until 1975. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) flew a small mixed fleet of F-104 types in supersonic flight tests and spaceflight programs until 1994.[3] USAF F-104Cs saw service during the Vietnam War, and F-104A aircraft were deployed by Pakistan briefly during the Indo-Pakistani wars. Republic of China Air Force (Taiwan) F-104s also engaged the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (China) over the disputed island of Quemoy. The operational service of the Starfighter ended with its retirement by the Italian Air Force in May 2004.
A total of 2,578 Starfighters were produced, mostly by NATO members. A set of modifications produced the F-104G model, which won a NATO competition for a new fighter-bomber. Several two-seat trainer versions were also produced, the most numerous being the TF-104G. The ultimate production version of the fighter model was the F-104S, an all-weather interceptor designed by Aeritalia for the Italian Air Force, and equipped with radar-guided AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. An advanced F-104 with a high-mounted wing, known as the CL-1200 Lancer, did not proceed past the mock-up stage.
The poor safety record of the Starfighter brought the aircraft into the public eye, especially in German Air Force service. Fighter ace Erich Hartmann was retired from the Luftwaffe because of his protests against having to deploy the unsafe F-104s. The F-104 was also at the center of the Lockheed bribery scandals, in which Lockheed had given bribes to a considerable number of political and military figures in various nations in order to influence their judgment and secure several purchase contracts; this caused considerable political controversy in Europe and Japan.
In August 2016 it was announced that the F-104 would be used to launch small commercial satellites into orbit.
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