F-104’s definitive version was the S ASA-M, which could employ up to:
6x AIM-9B
4 AIM-9L/I
2x AIM-7F
2x Aspide 1A
7x Mk. 82
7x BL755
2x Mk. 83/84
1x B-61
1x Orpheus pod
1x SUU-21A practice bomb dispenser
5x fuel tanks (3x 738L + 2x 644L on wingtips)
A rocket launcher, the LR25, was available too.
It was a great interceptor: it had a high economic cruise speed, a high top speed, a good specific excess power and thrust-to-weight ratio, a little radar cross section and powerful missiles – Aspide was a very good BVR weapon, limited only by radar.
A mediocre air superiority jet: it had a very high wing loading with a T tail configuration, which translated in a minimum maneuverabilty, its radar had poor detection capabilities, cockpit permitted a limited field of view and there were obsolete RWRs and no active ECMs.
A terrible strike fighter: no AG/AS missiles, limited range.
It’s last role (in ItAF, until 2004) has been the interceptor fighter jet, its specialty.
In QRA missions, it was armed with 2x 644L fuel tanks, 1x AIM-9L/I and 1x Aspide 1A.
Italian pilots reported Typhoon’s climb rate and acceleration as better but comparable to that of the Starfighter.
In sardinian excercises, operated by skilled pilots, the fighter was a match for Sea Harriers, Tornado ADVs and Phantoms: i do not doubt that if it had been flown against Drakens, it could have been a very dangerous opponent, if not a winner.
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