The F-104G Starfighter is a ground attack aircraft available for West Germany. Before the Magna Carta DLC was released, it was an air superiority fighter with four AIM-9L SIdewinders for air-to-air combat, when Magna Carta was released however, it was changed to a Ground Attack Aircraft with four HE bombs replacing the missiles.
History[]
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, single-seat, T-Tail supersonic fighter. It was the first fighter to use the General Electric M61A1 Gatling-style Vulcan Cannon. First flown 4 March 1954 and introduced to American arsenals in 1958, the Starfighter was highly exported to NATO nations. The F-104G was manufactured under license by several nations including Canadair, Messerschmitt, Dornier, Fiat, Fokker, and SABCA. It featured a strengthened fuselage, wing structure, landing gear, increased internal fuel capacity, a larger ventral fin, and revised flaps for better maneuverability.
In West German service, the F-104G was used both by the Luftwaffe and Marineflieger. It entered service with the Luftwaffe in 1960 and Marineflieger in 1963 and was delivered until 1973. The F-104G was used for several different roles, to include air superiority, reconnaissance, anti-ship, strike and interception roles. The Jagdbombergeschwader Ground attack formations replaced their F-104 with Tornado IDS. Aufklärungsgeschwader replaced F-104 with RF-4. Jagdgeschwader replaced their F-104 with F-4F.
Marineflieger used their F-104G in Marinefliegergeschwader 1 and 2. The F-104G in Marineflieger service was given compatibility with the Kormoran anti-ship missile for standoff anti-shipping operations. Marinefliegergeschwader replaced their F-104 with Tornado MFG.
Overview[]
AirLand Battle[]
The F-104G Starfighter was initially an air superiority fighter available to West German and NATO decks. Following the release of the Magna Carta expansion, the F-104G became a ground attack platform. Its inexpensive cost and compliment of four Mk. 82 bombs makes the type a good choice for attacking lightly armored vehicles and infantry. It carries no air to air missiles, though its Vulcan cannon allows the type to defend itself against enemy aircraft, to attack helicopters, or to strafe ground targets. Its lack of ECM makes the type vulnerable to long range SAMs and AAMs, however, and a fighter escort should be considered if the F-104G is striking targets within enemy-controlled territory.
Red Dragon[]
The F-104G Starfighter in Wargame: Red Dragon is a 60-point Naval Anti-Ship aircraft available to BLUFOR decks. It carries two AS.34 Kormoran anti-ship missiles and an internal 20mm Vulcan cannon. As with AirLand Battle, the type has no ECM, leaving it vulnerable to long range SAMs and AAMs. The F-104G has Good radar, but a poor turn circle more than twice as wide as an F-4F's, making follow-up shots and self-defense difficult. The Kormoran is highly accurate and powerful, however its short range requires the F-104G to get close to its target to fire, and leaves the aircraft vulnerable to return fire. The type has no compliment of AAMs, and as with ALB, a fighter escort should be considered when employing the F-104G over hostile territory.
Weapons[]
AirLand Battle[]
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Gatling Cannon | Bomb | No Weapon |
| Name | M61A1 Vulcan | Mk.82 | |
| Caliber | 20mm AoE | 227kg AoE | |
| Ammo | x 940 | x 4 | |
| Range | Ground = 2100 m Helicopters = 1400 m  Airplanes = 2800 m
|
Ground = 3500 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
|
| Accuracy | 8 | 4 | |
| AP Power | 0 | 0 | |
| HE Power | 1 | 10 | |
| Suppression | 92 | 600 | |
| Rate of fire | 4028 r/min | 42 r/min |
Red Dragon[]
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Gatling Cannon | ASM | No Weapon |
| Name | M61A1 Vulcan | AS.34 Kormoran | |
| Caliber | 20mm, AoE | Radar HEAT, F&F, SHIP | |
| Ammo | x 940 | x 2 | |
| Range | Ground = 2100 m Helicopters = 1575 m Airplanes = 2450 m
|
Ground = 4200 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
|
| Accuracy | 30% | 60% | |
| Stabilizer | 30% | 60% | |
| AP Power | N/A | 80 | |
| HE Power | 1 | 4 | |
| Suppression | 92 | N/A | |
| Rate of fire | 4028 r/min | 1 s r/min |
Gallery[]
See also[]
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