What replaced the F-104?

What Replaced the F-104?

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, also known as "Widowmaker" due to its reputation for being challenging to fly, served as an air superiority fighter and trainer for many years. Many countries operated the F-104 until the late 1970s. Several factors contributed to the F-104’s eventual retirement, such as its high accident rate, cumbersome design, and limited weapons capacity.

By the late 1970s, the technology advanced significantly, and the need for a next-generation fighter emerged. NATO countries began to develop new multi-role, multi-mission aircraft with enhanced capabilities. Several countries replaced the F-104 with these new aircraft types, which offered better performance, reliability, and flexibility.

Primary Replacement Candidates

Several countries opted for advanced multi-role fighter jets from leading manufacturers. These aircraft inherited the F-104’s roles in air-to-air combat, attack missions, and reconnaissance:

• General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon: The F-16, specifically designed for air-to-air dominance, was a prominent replacement for many Western nations.
• Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) 29 Fulcrum: The MiG-29’s multi-role capabilities made it a suitable replacement for the F-104 in Warsaw Pact countries.

Country by Country Replacement

Here are some specific examples of F-104 retirements and replacements by country:

United States

The US Air Force officially retired the F-104 in the late 1970s. The F-16 Fighting Falcon took over various roles, including air superiority, ground strike, and reconnaissance.

Western Europe

Countries like NATO Allies, Germany, Italy, and the UK began phasing out their F-104A/B/C/G fleets starting in the late 1970s, with the F-16 and Saab 35 Draken primarily taking over. The Republic of Italy’s air force completely retired the F-104 in the 1980s.

Austria

The Austrian Luftwaffe operated the F-104G Starfighter from the early 1960s. Austria replaced all F-104s with F-5 E/F Tiger II and Fokker 127 trainers for front-line duties and reconnaissance assignments.

Canada

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) transitioned from the F-104 Starfighter to the CF-18 Hornet in the late 1980s for multi-role combat duties and reconnaissance.

Comparing Successors

Here is a brief comparative table highlighting key features of leading replacement aircraft: