| |
|---|---|
 An F-5E of the Swiss Air Force | |
| General information | |
| Type | Light fighter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Northrop Corporation |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | United States Navy |
| Number built |
|
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1959–1987 |
| Introduction date | 1964 |
| First flight |
|
| Developed from | Northrop T-38 Talon |
| Variants | |
| Developed into | |
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. Smaller and simpler than contemporaries such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 costs less to procure and operate, making it a popular export aircraft. Though primarily designed for a day air superiority role, the aircraft is also a capable ground-attack platform. The F-5A entered service in the early 1960s. During the Cold War, over 800 were produced through 1972 for US allies. Despite the United States Air Force (USAF) not needing a light fighter at the time, it did procure approximately 1,200 Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, which were based on Northrop's N-156 fighter design.
After winning the International Fighter Aircraft Competition, a program aimed at providing effective low-cost fighters to American allies, in 1972 Northrop introduced the second-generation F-5E Tiger II. This upgrade included more powerful engines, larger fuel capacity, greater wing area and improved leading-edge extensions for better turn rates, optional air-to-air refueling, and improved avionics, including air-to-air radar. Primarily used by American allies, it remains in US service to support training exercises. It has served in a wide array of roles, being able to perform both air and ground attack duties; the type was used extensively in the Vietnam War.[2] A total of 1,400 Tiger IIs were built before production ended in 1987. More than 3,800 F-5s and the closely related T-38 advanced trainer aircraft were produced in Hawthorne, California.[3] The F-5N/F variants are in service with the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps as adversary trainers.[4] Over 400 aircraft were in service as of 2021.[5][N 1]
The F-5 was also developed into a dedicated reconnaissance aircraft, the RF-5 Tigereye. The F-5 also served as a starting point for a series of design studies which resulted in the Northrop YF-17 and the F/A-18 naval fighter aircraft. The Northrop F-20 Tigershark was an advanced variant to succeed the F-5E which was ultimately canceled when export customers did not emerge.
- ^ Johnsen 2006, p. 90.
- ^ Baugher, Joseph ‘Joe’. "Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II in Service with Vietnam". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "Military Aircraft Update: Northrop F-5/T-38". Aviation Week & Space Technology (Aviation Week Intelligence Network), Vol. 175, Issue 39, 21 November 2013, p. 89.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
USN F-5Nwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Hoyle 2021, p. 10.
Cite error: There are <ref group=N> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=N}} template (see the help page).