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13. F-104 STARFIGHTER Multimission Jet
Fighter
Seven nations Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, The
Netherlands. and the U.S. - have delivered more than 2300 F-104
Starfighters to 14 free world air forces in the largest
integrated weapon system development and production program in
international history. The latest version, F-104S - being built
in Italy - has a higher thrust engine. An all weather
interceptor configuration, it carries both Sidewinder and
Sparrow air to air missiles. The fighter bomber configuration
carries up to 6200 pounds of conventional bombs. Starfighfers
made two tours of duty in Vietnam. The F-104S has a General
Electric J79-19 turbojet engine providing 17,900 lbs. of thrust,
2100 lbs. more than the F-104G engine. Maximum speed over 1500
m.p.h. Ceiling above 70,000 ft. Rocket powered aerospace trainer
versions with space type reaction controls have flown to
altitudes of more than 22 miles. A new generation fighter
derivative of the F-104, called the CL-1200 Lancer, has been
offered to allies of the United States. |
