NF-104A "NF-760" piloted by Chuck Yeager taxiing out for a flight in December 1963

Three aircraft were modified from existing Lockheed F-104A airframes and served with the Aerospace Research Pilots School between 1963 and 1971.

The first NF-104A (USAF 56-0756) was accepted by the USAF on October 1, 1963. It quickly established a new unofficial altitude record of
118,860 ft (36,230 meter) and surpassed this on December 6, 1963 by achieving an altitude of 120,800 ft (36,800 meter).
It suffered an in-flight rocket motor explosion in June 1971. Although the pilot was able to land safely, the damaged aircraft was retired and
marked the end of the NF-104 project. This aircraft was reported as scrapped.

The second NF-104A (USAF 56-0760) was accepted by the USAF on October 26, 1963. After retirement, this aircraft was mounted on a pole
outside the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and can still be seen there today.

The third NF-104A (USAF 56-0762) was delivered to the USAF on November 1, 1963, and was destroyed in a crash while being piloted by Chuck Yeager
on December 10, 1963. This accident was depicted in the book The Right Stuff and the film of the same name, although the aircraft used for filming was a standard F-104G.

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