JF-104A "60745" Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California for "Steep Approach" research 1960

F-104A, construction number 183-1033, model 183-93-02, US serial number 56-0745, built by Lockheed
delivered to the USAF on November 29, 1957; retained by manufacturer; converted to JF-104A in Burbank
loaned to NASA and used at Ames Research Center in wind-tunnel tests from July 17, 1958 to May 6, 1960
March 19, 1959 to May 6, 1960 Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California for "Steep Approach" research
back to USAF on May 6, 1960; converted to QF-104A at Air Proving Ground Center (Air Force System Command), Eglin AFB, FL
QFG-745 delivered to 3205 Drone Squadron on October 10, 1961; crashed with 3205 Drone Squadron (DS) January 17, 1962 due to elevator malfunction on takeoff
1st QF-104 loss; 2 drone flights before; total 3 drone flights.

JF-104A (AF 56-745A) March 19, 1959 - May 6, 1960; Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California
Steep Approach Research
Steep descent testing, including power-off landing approaches and demonstration of minimum lift-to-drag ratio (L/D) landings came out of the interest in the use of low L/D lifting bodies for recovery to landing from space. 
The question posed to the flight research organization concerned how low an aircraft's L/D could be for the aircraft to still be landed successfully. Flight tests with the JF-104A Starfighter were conducted by Fred Drinkwater, 
who demonstrated steep approaches that were ultimately used by the space shuttle These two-segment profiles consisted of a steep upper segment starting around 25,000 feet and aimed at a target a mile short of the runway, 
followed by a 3-degree path to the touchdown point. These profiles became widely known within the test pilot community as the "Drinkwater Approach".

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