UF-104J "600" (piloted drone prototype) tested at Iwo Jima island

The last duties for JASDF F-104J were to be unmanned target drones. Two F-104Js were modified to UF-104J experimental drones and tested by ADTW.
The two UF-104J (renamed from QF-104J (XQF-104J)) were drones with a cockpit, and 12 became UF-104JA drones without a cockpit.
On December 18, 1989 was the first flight of XQF-104J drone 46-8592.
After that, a total of 14 Starfighters converted to UF-104JA target drone and all of them were shot down at a firing range located near Iwo-Jima island, famous battlefield of WW2.
Between March 1992 and January 1997, all these completed their missions against "hostile" F-15J at Iwo Jima.

1988 2 F-104J aircraft ordered by Mitsubishi factory for drone modifications
1989 first flight from Nagoya AB, December 18, 1989, first flight of XQF-104J drone nr.1 46-8592
1990, June 1990 delivery to JASDF (Japan Air Self-Defense Force)
1990 until December 1991 testflights
1992, March 1992 wing got approval for testflights
1994, late 1994 order for a total of 14 aircraft

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