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.

: Optimized for nuclear strike, reconnaissance, and interception, often carrying a 2,000 lb nuclear "special store" under the fuselage. Performance Specifications Maximum Speed Mach 2.0+ (approx. 1,323 kts) Service Ceiling 50,000 feet Rate of Climb 48,000 ft/min Standard Armament 20mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon and 2-4 Sidewinder missiles Max Takeoff Weight 29,027 lbs

While the U.S. Air Force did not deploy the "G" model operationally, it became the backbone of NATO's air defense: