UF-104J "592" at Iwo Jima island F-104J, construction number 683B-3092, model 683-07-14, JASDF serial number 46-8592, built by MitsubishiMitsubishi assembled aircraft; delivery date June 4, 1964; first assigned to 7 Koukudan at Hyakuri AB; after first IRAN stored until late 1970s, details unknown 1977 203 Hikotai at Chitose; after next IRAN added ECM ability; until October 1983 203 Hikotai; from October 1983 207 Hikotai until 1984; next year delivered to 2nd Supply Depot Later converted as first UF-104J, tested at Iwo Jima, accomplished mission. EF-104J (modified as ECM version to carry Electronic Countermeasures Pod ALQ-4) UF-104J (piloted drone prototype) tested by ADTW; target drone as 46-3592 shot down at firing range located near Iwo Jima island on March 10, 1997. After the retirement of the JASDF Starfighter, trials were started in 1990 by Mitsubishi, in conjunction with Honeywell and Motorola in the USA, to convert 2 F-104J as prototype remotely-piloted drones for similar missile development trials. By late 1991, the 2 UF-104J had successfully completed from the island of Iwo Jima 147 manned and unmanned flights, the latter being controlled by telemetry from a complete Starfighter cockpit section on the ground. An initial bath of six more QF-104J was then similar modified. Two F-104J were modified to UF-104J experimental drones and tested by ADTW. After that, a total of 14 Starfighter converted to UF-104JA target drone and all of them were shot down at firing range located near Iwo-Jima island. copyright © Wakana Ando
