Alenia (Lockheed) F-104S/ASA Starfighter

Type (Muster)
Fighter (Kampfflugzeug)

Country (Land)
Italy/USA (Italien/USA)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Alenia
Viale Maresciallo Pilsudski 92
00197 Roma
Italy

Phone: 0039-6/807-781
Fax: 0039-6/807-2215

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1 pilot on Martin Baker IQ-7A ejection seat

Weapons (Beaffnung): The F-104S/ASA has a Vulcan M61 cannon with 725 rounds of 20-mm-ammunition and can carry a total of 3402 kg on nine external stations. Among the weapons are:
   * 2 x Sparrow or Aspide medium-range AAMs
   * 2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder
   * M-117 bombs
   * Mk.82 bombs

Power plant (Antrieb): General Electric J79-GE-19
Thrust (Schub): 52 kN (11870 lbs) dry and 79,62 kN (17900 lbs) with afterburner

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 16,69 m
Height (Höhe): 4,11 m
Span (Spannweite): 6,68 m ohne Zusatztanks
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 18,22 m

Weights (Massen)
Operating weight empty (Einsatz-Leermasse): 6760 kg
Max. weapons load (max. Waffenzuladung): 3400 kg
Max. fuel (Max. Kraftstoff): 3392 litres internal plus up to 2770 litres external
Normal take-off (normale Startmasse): 9840 kg
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 14060 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Maximum level speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): Mach 1.2 at sea level or Mach 2.2 at 11000 m
Max. cruise speed (max. Maschgeschwindigkeit): 981 km/h at 11000 m
Economical cruise speed (verbrauchsgünstige Marschgeschw.): Mach 0.85
Max. rate of climb (Max. Steigrate): 280 m/s at sea level
Time to climb to 10670 m (Steigzeit): 1 min 20 sec
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 17680 m
Take-off run (Startrollstrecke): 823 m with two Sparrows
Landing distance (Landestrecke): 762 m
Combat radius (Einsatzradius):
   - 1274 km with maximum fuel
   - 608 km with bomb load (hi-lo-hi profile)
   - 481 km with bomb load (lo-lo-lo profile)
Ferry range (Überführungsreichweite): 2920 km

Customers (Kunden)
The Italian Air Force did receive 147 F-104S/ASA, all modified from the F-104S standard. In 1998 the Starfighter was still in use by the 9., 10., 18., 22. and 23. Gruppo.

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
Until 1979, Italy did licence-produce 246 F-104S Starfighters, including 40 for Turkey. In 1981 an upgrade programme was launched, with the flight tests of the ASA-version (Aggiornamento Sistema d'Arma) starting in 1983. The main changes included replacement fo the radar by an FIAR R21G/M1 Setter with improved range. The first F-104S/ASA was handed over to the AMI on 19 November 1986 at Turin-Caselle, and the last airframe was redelivered at the end of 1991. From 1998, a further improvement to the ASA/M (Modificato) standard is under way, this time comprising 49 single seaters and 15 TF-104Gs. The refurbishment and improvement is necessary to keep the aircraft in service until the Eurofighter arrives in Italian Air Force service in sufficient numbers.

Last updated 1. September 1998

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