UF-104JA "527" (recoded 36-3527) at Iwo Jima island

F-104J, construction number 683B-3027, model 683-07-14, JASDF serial number 36-8527, built by Mitsubishi
delivery date August 20, 1963; assigned to 201st Hikotai; after IRAN assigned to 203rd Hikotai of 2nd Kokudan
later assigned to APW (Jikken Koukutai (air development and testing squadron)) for about 18 years; 1981 assigned to 203rd Hikotai
from about 1984 assigned to 207th Hikotai; later converted to a drone (UAV), disassembled, delivered to Iwo Jima Island
UF-104JA target drone recoded as 36-3527 shot down at a firing range located near Iwo Jima Island on March 26, 1995.

In order to improve missile countermeasures techniques in line with the increased capabilities of combat aircraft,
the Air Self-Defense Force decided to convert the decommissioned F-104J to an unmanned aircraft (drone) as a target aircraft with high speed,
excellent mobility and the performance and characteristics of the actual aircraft, such as visibility, infrared radiation characteristics and
radar reflection properties. Following the delivery of two QF-104J to the Air Self-Defense Force, practical tests involving 147 missions were
conducted by the Flight Development Test Wing through March 1992. The major event in the development of the QF-104, a remotely controlled
landing with complete unmanned drone, was successfully accomplished during practical tests in October 1991.

The designation of the aircraft was changed from QF-104 to UF-104, and the improved test version was called J, while the production version was called JA.

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