f-104 Aeritalia F-104S ASA

[mc205v 786]

 Aeritalia F-104S ASA

The early 1980s saw the Italian Air Force once again in the condition to modernize its Interceptor Fighters pending the new air superiority aircraft, Aeritalia proposed a "medlife program" of the F104S called ASA (Aggiornamento Sistemi d’Arma,or Updated Weapons System) with a cost of around 600 billion lire. The SMA decided to start the program for a total of 147 specimens by sending the cells chosen from the best suitable for modification to Turin; the first Starfigther brought to the ASA standard was the MM. 6945 which flew in 1984 and compared to the F-104S version the "new" aircraft did not undergo changes to the cell or engine but to the avionics. This include the installation of the FIAR R-21G/M1 Setter radar that possessed a true look-down/shoot-down capability and compatibility with Selenia Aspide 1A medium range SARH AAM. Further enahancements included the fitting of a new weapons delivery computer, improved ECM gear, and a new IFF system. The incorporation of new miniturized electronic gear allowed the installation of the M61 Vulcan cannon. Aircraft upgraded to the F-104S-ASA standard were also capable of carrying the all-aspect AIM-9L Sidewinder IR AAM, became main armament, replacing the previous version "B"and "F". With the new "updated" aircraft, both the air defense departments and the CBs were rearmed, and precisely at that particular historical moment with the fall of the Berlin wall and therefore with the disappearance of the threat from the countries of Eastern Europe, they abandon the "Ready in five" to go to readiness in 15 '.

The last F104S / ASA that came out of Aeritalia / Alenia was delivered to the AM in the first quarter of 1993. The "ASA" version is easy to add because it is the same as the "S" version, just update its avionics, as well as Italy can compete in War Thunder at the highest levels.

 

Specifications:

Spoiler

 

Length: 16.69 m 
Wingspan: 6.68 m without wing-tip stores / tanks
Height: 4.11 m 
Wing area: 18.22 m²
Empty weight: 6750 kg 
Gross weight: 9840 kg 
Max takeoff weight: 14060 kg 
Powerplant: 1 x General Electric J79-GE-19 afterburning turbojet engine, 52.8 kN thrust dry, 79.62 kN with afterburner
Performance
Maximum speed: 2330 km/h (1450 mph) / M2.2 at 11,000 m (36089 ft) (clean)1,464 km/h (910 mph; 790 kn) / M1.2 at sea level
Cruise speed: 981 km/h (610 mph) max at 11,000 m (36089 ft) (clean)
Never exceed speed: M2.2
Combat range: 673 km with max fuel
Ferry range: 1576 km 
Service ceiling: 17680 m (58010 ft)
Zoom altitude: 27400 m (89895 ft) 
Rate of climb: 277 m/s (54,500 ft/min)
Time to altitude:
10670 m (35007 ft) in 1 minute 20 seconds
17070 m (56004 ft) in 2 minute 40 seconds
Wing loading: 540 kg/m2 (110 lb/sq ft) max
Take-off run: 830 m (2,723 ft)
Landing run: 760 m (2493 ft)
Turn rate, maximum: 13°/sec
Turn rate, continuous: 9°/sec
Acceleration to 12000 m and Mach 2: 5 min
Armament
Cannon: 20 mm (0.79 in) M61A1 Vulcan autocannon with 725 rounds
Hardpoints: 9 
Maximum bomb load: 3400 kg (7500 lbs) bombs, flares or napalm
Rockets Launcher: 2 x LAU-3/A x 19 (2,75 inch) or 2 x LAU-10/A x4 (5 inch "ZUNI")
Missiles: 4 x Air-to-Air AIM-9L Sidewinder + 2 x Air-to-Air Selenia Aspide

Photos:

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

Sources:

Maintenance Manual for the F104S/ASA - Aircraft

https://svppbellum.blogspot.com/2018/11/un-aereo-controverso-ma-indimenticabile.html

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/f104_33.html

http://www.airvectors.net/avf104_2.html
 

Edited September 22, 2020 by mc205v

[leroyonly 4,310]

Open for discussion. 

[Охраняет-Камни 6,650]

I have a few questions:

1. I know that "S" version requires special equipment to operate AIM-7E, it is installed in the place of cannon(instead of it). Can Aspide missiles be used without M61 removal?

2. In the ASA-M flight manual there is an information about MRAAM, what are these missiles and can they be used on ASA?      

Overall +1, Italy should have all aircraft variants they used to compete with such gigants like the USA and USSR.

[_Pixy 196]

Awww yeaahh +1

[Nicholas_Concu 2,634]

+1 all the way, might be awhile until we see this version however. 

[mc205v 786]

8 hours ago, leroyonly said:

Open for discussion. 

Thanks!

[mc205v 786]

8 hours ago, _Condottiero_ said:

I have a few questions:

1. I know that "S" version requires special equipment to operate AIM-7E, it is installed in the place of cannon(instead of it). Can Aspide missiles be used without M61 removal?

2. In the ASA-M flight manual there is an information about MRAAM, what are these missiles and can they be used on ASA?      

Overall +1, Italy should have all aircraft variants they used to compete with such gigants like the USA and USSR.

The "ASA" version could use the AIM-9B and AIM-9L missiles together with the M61 cannon, to use at most one pair of AIM-7E or Aspide (the Aspide missile is an improved version of the Sparrow missile) must disassemble the M61 . The question is a little complicated, because when the first "ASA" entered service, the Aspide missile was not ready yet, so they only used the AIM-9L because the Sparrow missile was considered out of date.

[Conte_Baracca 4,547]

Ofc we should get this when AIM 9L is a thing.

[Milocat 4,854]

Eventual +1 from me.

[alexhusky 14]

Yes+

[Potatoman530 31]

21 hours ago, Conte_Baracca said:

Ofc we should get this when AIM 9L is a thing.

The AIM 9L is already in the game on some American helicopters. I most certainly approve of this plane.

Edited May 20, 2020 by minecrafta_900

[Borotovas 4,500]

+1

[Potatoman530 31]

They need to folder it tho with the F-104s

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

On 20/05/2020 at 13:23, minecrafta_900 said:

The AIM 9L is already in the game on some American helicopters. I most certainly approve of this plane.

 

Helicopters play out differently. Their gameplay design is laid out well enough to incorporate all-aspect missiles. In jets it's a completely different story. They've already explained why only helicopters have all-aspect missiles. 

[ThedepthPunisher 194]

This would be the logical continuation of F104. + 1

[Potatoman530 31]

On 16/06/2020 at 16:40, EpicBlitzkrieg87 said:

 

Helicopters play out differently. Their gameplay design is laid out well enough to incorporate all-aspect missiles. In jets it's a completely different story. They've already explained why only helicopters have all-aspect missiles. 

Thanks for the info I never really had any experience with helicopters I just knew that it was in the game. Italy is the only nation in the game with no good air to air missiles the best and only missile Italy has is the AIM-9b.

[ironcell26 252]

+1, it must get implemented as soon as AIM-9L comes in game for jets

 

[MonkeyBussiness 1,228]

+1 , any data on the aspide itself ?

[mc205v 786]

5 hours ago, MonkeyBussiness said:

+1 , any data on the aspide itself ?

https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/aspide.htm

https://www.aereimilitari.org/Armamenti/Aspide.htm

[Potatoman530 31]

All aspect missiles are now a thing so this thing could become a thing its just a copy paste F-104S but they would have to add better sidewinders 

[EvenManatee887@live 129]

While I am hesitant about the all aspect missiles on a Mach 2 Jet Fighter, I do think its high time that the Italians get the ASA for its ability to launch the Aspides. 

+1

[Aerobane 4,140]

13 minutes ago, EvenManatee887@live said:

While I am hesitant about the all aspect missiles on a Mach 2 Jet Fighter, I do think its high time that the Italians get the ASA for its ability to launch the Aspides. 

+1

Aim 9L would still be too much unfortunately. I think it could probably come in 3-5 patches when the top tier jet powercreep pushes a bit further, but right now it would exceed the capabilities of other top tier jets by too huge a margin. Fire and forget missiles that are nigh impossible to dodge and can frontally lock after burning jets from over 5km would be way, way too powerful even compared to the jets with SARH. Compared to 10.0s it would be mindbogglingly unfair. The existing F-104S in Interceptor configuration is more than competitive, probably the second best jet in the game after the phantoms.

 

So I think the F104S ASA would be a great addition at some point, but not right now.

[mc205v 786]

10 minutes ago, Aerobane said:

So I think the F104S ASA would be a great addition at some point, but not right now.

For the Italian Tech Tree, the choice of the F.104S ASA is an obligatory choice because it is the first Italian jet to carry the AIM-9L

Edited September 7, 2020 by mc205v

[Aerobane 4,140]

1 minute ago, mc205v said:

For the Italian Tech Tree, the choice of the F.104S ASA is an obligatory choice because it is the first Italian jet to transport them.

Yes, and when the meta progresses to that point I am absolutely certain they will ad the ASA immediately. It wouldn't be too difficult for them considering how similar it is to the pre ASA version. But we aren't there yet. Trust me, I would love to have it. The F-104S is my most played aircraft by a wide margin. If I could choose any one new aircraft to have in my hangar right now it would probably be an ASA or an M-346. But the game is just not ready for it yet.

[Ziggy1989 1,648]

Cant the 104S equip the Aspide?