The Lockheed CL-1200, often referred to as the "Lancer," was a conceptual lightweight supersonic fighter developed by the Lockheed Corporation's Advanced Development Projects division, known as Skunk Works. Led by Clarence "Kelly" Johnson in the late 1960s, the project aimed to create a high-performance, economical export fighter for Western European and other allied nations already utilizing the F-104 Starfighter. The design sought to minimize production costs by reusing F-104 jigs, tooling, and specific components, such as the forward fuselage and landing gear concepts.
Technically, the CL-1200 represented a significant evolution over the Starfighter. It featured a larger, high-mounted swept wing to improve low-speed handling and maneuverability, a lengthened fuselage with the wing shifted aft for better aerodynamics, and an enlarged vertical tail. Two primary versions were proposed: the CL-1200-1, an export model powered by a General Electric J79-GE-19 turbojet, and the more advanced CL-1200-2 (also associated with the CL-1600 and X-27 designations). The Lancer variant was designed to use a Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-100 afterburning turbofan, capable of producing 15,000 lbf of dry thrust and up to 25,000 lbf with afterburner.
Projected performance for the Lancer variant was ambitious, with a maximum speed of Mach 2.57 (approximately 1,450 mph) and a service ceiling of 60,000 feet. Design estimates suggested a rate of climb of 60,000 feet per minute and a maximum range of 2,100 miles. Planned armament included an internal 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon or an optional 30 mm DEFA cannon, with the ability to carry up to 12,000 lb of external stores across nine stations, including AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
Despite these specifications, the CL-1200 never progressed to flight. Between 1968 and 1972, the project remained a marketing and design effort. The only physical manifestation was a full-scale mock-up consisting of an F-104G forward fuselage and landing gear paired with a wooden rear fuselage covered in metal skin. The aircraft was entered into the International Fighter Aircraft (IFA) competition around 1970 but was rejected in November 1970 in favor of the Northrop F-5. While the US Air Force expressed interest in using the aircraft for high-speed envelope testing beyond Mach 2.55, no prototypes were ever built, and the project was terminated without any aircraft ever taking flight.