| N-102 Fang | |
|---|---|
| |
| Patent images of the N-102 design | |
| Role | Light fighter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Northrop Corporation |
| Status | Project only |
| Developed into | Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter |
The Northrop N-102 Fang was a fighter aircraft design created by Northrop Corporation and proposed to the United States Air Force in 1953. The Fang was explicitly designed as a ”light” or “lightweight fighter” in direct response to what Northrop saw as the ever-increasing weight, size, complexity, and cost of Western fighter designs. While the Fang was ultimately overlooked in-favor of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, Northrop’s interest in the lightweight fighter concept would ultimately come to fruition with the F-5 Freedom Fighter, itself spawning a moderately successful fighter family.