The Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, known as the "Super Starfighter," is the most successful and widely produced variant of the F-104 family, accounting for nearly 45% of all units built. Developed to meet a 1957 West German requirement, it transformed a specialized day interceptor into an all-weather multi-role platform. Technical Overview
: West Germany operated 916 units; however, the aircraft gained a grim reputation as the "Widowmaker" due to a high crash rate early in its service. Lockheed F-104 Starfighter (Part 1) The F-104G ...
: The fuselage, wing fittings, and beams were reinforced with 96 new forgings to handle low-level strike missions. The Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, known as the "Super
The F-104G featured significant structural and electronic upgrades compared to earlier models: : The fuselage, wing fittings, and beams were
: Integrated the NASARR F15A multi-mode radar and the LN-3 inertial navigation system , the first of its kind in operational service. Operational History
: Operated by 11 countries, including West Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, and Japan.
: Featured a larger vertical tail (from the F-104B/D) for better high-speed stability and improved "blown flaps" for maneuverability.