Aircrafttotal Encyclopedia


An F-5E of the Swiss Air Force
Role	Light fighter
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Northrop Corporation
First flight	F-5A: 30 July 1959 F-5E: 11 August 1972
Introduction	1964
Status	In service
Primary users	United States Navy Republic of China Air Force Republic of Korea Air Force Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
Produced	1959–1987
Number built	A/B/C/D: 1,204 E/F: 1,399
Developed from	Northrop T-38 Talon
Variants	Canadair CF-5 Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration
Developed into	Northrop F-20 Tigershark HESA Azarakhsh HESA Saeqeh HESA Kowsar

The Northrop F-5 is a family of supersonic light fighter aircraft initially designed as a privately funded project in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation. There are two main models, the original F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter variants and the extensively updated F-5E and F-5F Tiger II variants. The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact and high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and a low cost of maintenance.

F-5E and F-5F Tiger II

In 1970, Northrop won the International Fighter Aircraft (IFA) competition to replace the F-5A, with better air-to-air performance against aircraft like the Soviet MiG-21. The resultant aircraft, initially known as F-5A-21, subsequently became the F-5E. It had more powerful (5,000 lbf) General Electric J85-21 engines, and had a lengthened and enlarged fuselage, accommodating more fuel. Its wings were fitted with enlarged leading edge extensions, giving an increased wing area and improved maneuverability. The aircraft's avionics were more sophisticated, crucially including a radar (initially the Emerson Electric AN/APQ-153) (the F-5A and B had no radar). It retained the gun armament of two M39 cannons, one on either side of the nose of the F-5A. Various specific avionics fits could be accommodated at a customer's request, including an inertial navigation system, TACAN and ECM equipment.^[25] Additionally the two position nose landing gear from the Canadian CF-5 was incorporated to reduce takeoff distance

Northrop Corporation

Northrop Corporation
Northrop F-5E Tiger II

General Info

Crew: 1 Length: 48 ft 2.25 in (14.6876 m) Wingspan: 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m) with wing-tip missiles Height: 13 ft 4.5 in (4.077 m) Wing area: 186 sq ft (17.3 m²)

Powerplant

- Empty weight: 9,583 lb (4,347 kg)
- Gross weight: (7,142 kg) clean
- Max takeoff weight: (11,192 kg)
- Fuel capacity:

Performance

Maximum speed: Mach 1.63 (1,741 km/h; 1,082 mph) at 36,000 ft (11,000 m)
Maximum cruise speed: Mach 0.98 (1,050 km/h; 650 mph) at 36,000 ft (11,000 m)
Never exceed speed:1,310 km/h)
Range: 891 km clean
Combat radius (20 min reserve): 120 nmi (140 mi; 220 km) with 2x Sidewinders + 5,200 lb (2,400 kg) ordnance, with 5 minutes combat at max power at sea level
Ferry range: 2,010 nmi 3,720 km)
Service ceiling: (15,800 m)

Armament

Guns: 2× 20 mm (0.787 in) M39A2 Revolver cannon in the nose, 280 rounds/gun
Hardpoints: 7 total (only pylon stations 3, 4 and 5 are wet-plumbed): 2× wing-tip AAM launch rails, 4× under-wing & 1× under-fuselage pylon stations with a capacity of 7,000 pounds (3,200 kg), with provisions to carry combinations of:

Special Links Northrop Corporation NF-5E Tiger II

Links to Youtube & Others

In 1970, Northrop won the International Fighter Aircraft (IFA) competition to replace the F-5A, with better air-to-air performance against aircraft like the Soviet MiG-21.

Northrop Corporation
F-5E Tiger II

The F-5E experienced numerous upgrades in its service life.

Youtube Link

documentary about TheNorthrop F 5 Freedom Fighter in HD

Northrop Corporation
F-5E Tiger II
First flight F-5E: 11 August 1972

Northrop Corporation
F-5E Tiger II