
The F-94 was an interim all-weather interceptor developed from the T-33 trainer, which had been developed from the F-80. Initial tests showed that the engine was not powerful enough to support the increased weight of the electronic equipment and the Hughes E-1 fire-control radar. In addition to a higher-performing engine, several changes to the aircraft's lines were required. First accepted in December 1949, F-94As began replacing North American F-82s in Air Defense Command. When the Korean War broke out, Starfires were prohibited from flying over North Korea for fear of compromising their sophisticated electronic equipment. However, mounting B-29 losses led to the lifting of this restriction. On January 30, 1953, Capt. B. L. Fithian (pilot) and Lt. S. R. Lyons (radar operator) shot down an unseen LA-9 piston-engine fighter. The F-94C was phased out of Air Force service in 1959, and the last Air National Guard F-94s were retired in early 1960.
| Contractors: | Lockheed Aircraft Co. |
| Locations Built: | Burbank, Calif. |
| Number Built: (USAF) | 856 (856) |
| First Flight: | April 16, 1949 |
| First Flight Model: | YF-94 |
| First Flight Location: | Van Nuys, Calif. |
| First Flight Pilot: | Tony LeVier (pilot) and Glenn Fulkerson (observer) |
| Models/Variants: | F-94A, B, C |
| Powerplant: | One Pratt & Whitney J48-P-5 or -5A turbojet of 8,750 lb of thrust |
| Wingspan: | 42 ft 5 in (over tiptanks) |
| Length: | 44 ft 6 in. |
| Height: | 14 ft 11 in. |
| Weight: | 24,200 lb gross |
| Armament: | 24 2.75-in Mighty Mouse FFARs in nose and 24 2.75-in FFARs in two wing pods (12 rockets in each) |
| Accommodation: | Crew of two (pilot and radar intercept officer) |
| Cost: | $534,000 |
| Max. Speed: | 640 mph |
| Range: | 1,200 mi. |
| Ceiling: | 51,000 ft. |
Copyright Air Force Association. All rights reserved.