Aeritalia F-104S Starfighter

Aeritalia

Industry	Aerospace
Headquarters	Italy
Products	Aeritalia F-104S Starfighter

Template:Infobox aircraft

The Aeritalia F-104S Starfighter represents the Italian license-built variant of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter and was a cornerstone of the Italian Air Force fleet from the late 1960s through to the early 2000s. Additionally, it operated within the Turkish Air Force until the mid-1990s. Marking the culmination of the Starfighter series, the F-104S was the final iteration produced.

Originating from Lockheed’s conceptual work on an enhanced "Super Starfighter," the F-104S stood out as one of the most advanced versions in the F-104 family and became the last model to remain active globally. The aircraft, later modernized to ASA/M standards, was officially withdrawn from service in October 2004.

Design and development

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F-104S featuring its initial camouflage and Sparrow missiles mounted beneath the wings, circa 1969.

The evolution of the F-104 series progressed into a second phase with the introduction of the F-104G variant, developed primarily for Germany. While the United States Air Force had ceased interest in further development, Lockheed advanced their design with the Model CL-901, incorporating the upgraded J79-GE-19 engine and enhanced Sparrow III missiles. Further conceptual variants included the CL-958 with expanded wing area, the CL-981 featuring retractable canard surfaces aft of the cockpit, and the CL-984 tailored for low-altitude attack missions. A modified RF-104G prototype flew in December 1966 as the CL-901 "Super Starfighter." Visually, this new model displayed slightly larger air intakes and steel inlet guide vanes that allowed a rise in operating temperature limits from 121 to 175 °C (250 to 347 °F), enabling speeds up to Mach 2.2.

During its initial five years in service with Italy, 23 F-104G units were lost; operational readiness peaked at only 80 to 90 aircraft out of 149 acquired. Consequently, decision-makers opted to procure a new interceptor and fighter-bomber to strengthen frontline squadrons.

In response to AMI’s mid-1960s "AW-X" (All-Weather-eXperimental) program seeking a new all-weather fighter, several contenders were evaluated including the McDonnell Douglas F-4B/C Phantom, Dassault Mirage IIIC-1, BAC English Electric Lightning, and North American F-100S Super Sabre. Ultimately, Lockheed’s CL-980—a simplified derivative utilizing wings from the proposed CL-901—was selected. On 26 January 1966, AMI officially designated the F-104S as its future fighter platform. The first F-104S was actually a modified Fiat-built F-104G identified as MM6658, serving as an aerodynamic prototype and taking flight on 22 December 1966. A second prototype, MM6660, equipped with avionics closer to production standards, flew on 28 February 1967. The initial production model constructed by Aeritalia, MM.6701, completed its maiden flight on 30 December 1968.

Designed to carry AIM-7 Sparrow missiles with removal of the Vulcan cannon, the F-104S featured nine hardpoints for ordnance. It could transport up to seven 227 kg (500 lb) or 340 kg (750 lb) bombs—an enhancement over the earlier F-104G which had capacity for half that load distributed on five hardpoints, two reserved for external fuel tanks. In theory, an F-104S could simultaneously carry four or five bombs along with two drop tanks and two AIM-9 Sidewinders, enabling a versatile dual-role capability.

Entry into operational service occurred in mid-1969 with deployment to 22° Gruppo (51° Stormo). That year alone, these aircraft logged approximately 460 flight hours.

The Italian Air Force procured a total of 205 units delivered between 1969 and 1979, reaching milestones at delivery of their 100th aircraft in January 1973 and their 200th by May 1976. Toward late 1973, Lockheed entered into an agreement with Aeritalia to jointly market both the F-104S and Aeritalia G.222 transport aircraft while collaborating on engineering efforts related to prototypes of the Lockheed CL-1200 Lancer.

Two primary configurations were produced: an interceptor version equipped with AIM-7 Sparrow missiles but without the M61 Vulcan cannon; and a fighter-bomber variant retaining its gun alongside bombs and other air-to-surface weaponry. These variants were interchangeable within production batches, which complicates precise accounting of how many were initially built or subsequently converted between roles.

Italian service

The F-104G and S models were operated by several AMI squadrons, including the 9th, 10th, 12th, 18th (initially assigned to reconnaissance before transitioning to dual-role duties), 20th (training), 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 28th (reconnaissance), 132nd (reconnaissance), as well as the 102nd, 154th, 155th, and 156th (bombers).

File:F-104S.jpg

MM6945, the inaugural F-104S-ASA painted in low-visibility scheme

Powered by the J79-GE-19 engine, the aircraft exhibited an improved climb rate rivaling that of its contemporaries — achieving up to 277 m/s (909 ft/s). The time required to reach 10,600 m (34,777 ft) was reportedly just 80 seconds, approximately ten seconds faster than the F-104G. It was capable of attaining Mach 2 at an altitude of 12,000 m (39,370 ft) within roughly five minutes.

Aeritalia test pilot Napoleone Bragagnolo accomplished a remarkable flight from Turin in northern Italy to Ciampino near Rome, landing after only 19 minutes and 30 seconds. During this mission, equipped with two wingtip auxiliary tanks, he climbed to 15 km (49,213 ft) and accelerated to Mach 2. Upon landing, the aircraft retained about 1,300 L (290 imp gal; 340 US gal) of fuel—sufficient for a subsonic flight to Palermo, Sicily. The average velocity maintained throughout was Mach 1.5.

Despite these advancements in the Starfighter fleet, accident rates remained significant, peaking notably in 1973 and 1975 when ten F-104s across all variants were lost in AMI service. By 1997, Italy had suffered the loss of 137 aircraft—approximately 38% of its F-104 inventory—over a total of 928,000 flight hours (equating to roughly 14.7 losses per 100,000 hours). Although the accident frequency declined during the 1980s—with 33 losses recorded from 1981 through 1990—the aircraft’s safety record sparked intense media scrutiny. This scrutiny earned it the nickname bara volante ("flying coffin" in Italian), a direct translation of the German moniker Fliegender Sarg. The downward trend in losses continued into the 1990s as older variants (excluding TF-104s) were progressively retired.

During the Gulf War in 1991, six Italian F-104s were stationed in Turkey alongside German Alpha Jets and Belgian Mirage 5s. This deployment was part of a NATO operation aimed at defending Turkey against possible Iraqi aggression. Additionally, twelve Italian F-104s from the 4th, 5th, 9th, and 37th Stormi participated in operations over the Balkans, including Operation Deny Flight, Operation Deliberate Force, and Operation Allied Force.

The final frontline Italian F-104 was retired in 2004 after accumulating approximately one million flying hours during over four decades of service. Subsequently, four Starfighters (two TF-104Ms and two F-104ASAMs) continued operations with the Italian Air Force Test Center until July 2005. The last official military flight of an Italian F-104 took place at Pratica di Mare on July 27.

Turkish service

Turkey represented the sole additional operator of the Aeritalia F-104S outside Italy. The first procurement occurred in 1974, with 18 aircraft entering operational status by December of that year. These initial jets were provided as a gift from Libya to Turkey amid the US embargo imposed following the 1974 Turkish intervention in Cyprus. This transfer likely reflected Libya’s appreciation for Turkey's diplomatic ties and technical support in enhancing the Libyan Air Force's capabilities. A subsequent order for 18 more units was placed in May 1975, eventually expanding to a total of 40 aircraft. However, a planned batch of 20 was cancelled, possibly due to concurrent deliveries of F-4E Phantom IIs. Turkish F-104Ss were assigned to the 142 and 182 Filo squadrons starting in the 1970s, with roughly a dozen remaining active until the mid-1990s. Although Turkey received 200 Selenia AIM-7 missiles, these were infrequently deployed on F-104Ss, suggesting that F-4Es primarily operated this missile type.

Mid-life updates

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F-104S exhibited at Lignano Sabbiadoro, northeastern Italy

Before the introduction of the Eurofighter Typhoon into Italian Air Force service, two significant modernization programs were implemented, culminating in the F-104S-ASA and F-104S-ASA/M variants.

F-104S-ASA

The 1986 F-104ASA (Aggiornamento Sistemi d'Arma, translating to Weapon Systems Update) featured the integration of the FIAR R21G/M1 Setter radar, which offered look-down capability and compatibility with the Selenia Aspide missile system. The AIM-9L Sidewinder replaced earlier "B" and "F" models as the primary air-to-air missile, while older AIM-7 Sparrow missiles were still retained—typically one under each wing. Approximately 147 F-104S airframes underwent conversion to ASA standard at a cost nearing 600 billion lire, with deliveries concluding in the early 1990s.

F-104S-ASA/M

The ASA/M upgrade (initially termed 'ECO' for Estensione Capacità Operative) prioritized enhanced operational reliability over combat capability improvements and encompassed 49 ASA aircraft. Additionally, 15 TF-104G trainers participated in this modernization effort.

Variants

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Formation flight of Italian F-104S jets

F-104S (Lockheed Model CL-901)

A total of 246 units were manufactured predominantly by Fiat and Aeritalia (with one lost prior to delivery). This interceptor-focused model was equipped with NASARR R-21G/H radar featuring moving target indication and continuous wave illumination for semi-active radar homing missiles (initially AIM-7 Sparrow). It incorporated two extra hardpoints on each wing plus two underbelly mounts, totaling nine attachment points. Power came from an uprated J79-GE-19 engine producing 52.8 kN (11,870 lbf) thrust dry and 79.6 kN (17,900 lbf) with afterburner. Stability at high Mach numbers was enhanced by two additional ventral fins. To accommodate missile avionics, the M61 20 mm cannon was omitted—though fighter-bomber versions retained it. Armament configurations included up to two Sparrow missiles and two to six Sidewinders on all hardpoints except the central belly station, or alternatively seven bombs weighing between 227–340 kg (500–750 lb).

F-104S-ASA

The Italian upgrade program named Aggiornamento Sistemi d'Arma involved retrofitting 147 existing airframes with FIAR R21G/M1 radar featuring frequency hopping and look-down/shoot-down capabilities, alongside new IFF systems and weapons delivery computers. This version supported AIM-9L all-aspect Sidewinders and Selenia Aspide missiles. Due to delays integrating Aspide missiles, variants were initially designated ASA-1 when equipped with Sparrows and ASA-2 upon Aspide availability; eventually all aircraft reached ASA-2 status. Fighter-bomber models saw no major changes during this update and were later converted to interceptor configurations without the M61 cannon.

F-104S-ASA/M

Known as Aggiornamento Sistemi d'Arma/Modificato, this upgrade from 1998 refurbished 49 F-104S-ASAs and 15 two-seat TF-104Gs with GPS navigation, updated TACAN systems, Litton LN-30A2 inertial navigation units, overhauled airframes, and enhanced cockpit displays. All strike-related equipment including the IRST device ('IR-Sight' positioned ahead of the windshield) was removed. These last operational Starfighters served until their retirement in October 2004—the final unit being the 10° Gruppo/9° Stormo based at Grazzanise—and were temporarily replaced by General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft pending Eurofighter Typhoon deliveries.

Operators

Main article: List of F-104 Starfighter operators

Template:ITA

• Italian Air Force

Template:TUR

• Turkish Air Force

Italy

• F-104S ASA, Italian Air Force MM6941 - displayed at Istituto Tecnico Industriale, Pisa
• F-104S ASA-M, Italian Air Force MM6887 - positioned as a gate guardian at Decimomannu Air Base in Sardinia

Poland

• F-104S ASA-M, Italian Air Force MM6876 - exhibited at the Polish Aviation Museum

United States

• F-104S, Italian Air Force MM6734 - housed at Starfighters Inc located in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Specifications (F-104S)

File:Lockheed F-104 STARFIGHTER.png

References

• Bowman, Martin W. Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: Crowood Press Ltd., 2000. ISBN 1-86126-314-7.
• Fricker, John and Paul Jackson. "Lockheed F-104 Starfighter". Wings of Fame. Volume 2, 1996. London: Aerospace Publishing, pp. 38–99. ISBN 1-874023-69-7.
• Michell, Simon (ed.). Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994-95. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1994. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.
• Niccoli, Ricardo. "'S' is for 'Sparrow'." Air Enthusiast Issue 117, May–June 2005.
• Sgarlato, Nico. "F-104 Starfighter". Delta editions, Great Planes Monograph series, February 2004.(in Italian)
• Taylor, John W.R. (ed.). Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1976-1977. London: Macdonald and Jane's, 1976. ISBN 0-531-03278-7.