| The Northrop's F-5E/F Tiger II was produced as an International Fighter Aircraft and is in wide-spread service around the world. |
| The Northrop's F-5E/F Tiger II was produced as an International Fighter Aircraft and is in wide-spread service around the world. |
F-5A/B FREEDOM FIGHTER
In 1954 the US government
initiated a study to determine requirements for a simple lightweight fighter to
be supplied via the Military Assistance Program. Northrop's private-venture
N-156C design made its first flight on 30 July 1959, and was selected in 1962 by
the USAF as the required 'FX' fighter. It was designated F-5, and an F-5A
prototype was first flown in May 1963. The corresponding two-seat F-5B
fighter/trainer entered service in April 1964, four months ahead of the F-5A.
Northrop also developed the reconnaissance RF-5A, equipped with four
nose-mounted cameras.
| The F-5A/B, the first model of the F-5 series, was initiated by the US government to produce a simple, lightweight fighter to be supplied to friendly nations. |
F-5E/F TIGER II
The Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II
lightweight fighter became the principal US export fighter in the 1970s. It was
derived from the earlier F-5A/B, incorporating uprated J85 engines, an
integrated fire control system, additional fuel and a larger, modified wing with
LERXes and manoeuvring flaps for enhanced manoeuvrability. The F-5E is the
single-seat variant and was first flown on 11 August 1972. The F-5F tandem
two-seat trainer features a lengthened fuselage and retains full combat
capability. Initial deliveries were made to the USAF in 1973, to prepare the
aircraft for foreign users. F-5E/Fs later served for aggressor training with the
USAF until the late 1980s. The USN also acquired a small number for its
'adversary' DACT mission. Some 1,300 F-5E/Fs were later supplied to 20 air
forces. Current operators are Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran,
Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Singapore,
South Korea, Sudan, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, USN and Yemen. It
was also built under licence in South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan. F-5E also
appeared in the movie "Top Gun" as enemy fighters.
| US Navy uses F-5Es to simulate MiG-21s in 'Aggressor'-type training. The Red Star is quite visible in this photo. | 
|
FURTHER UPGRADES
The considerably upgraded GE
F404-powered F-20 Tigershark (F-5G) was rendered superfluous by the availability
of F-16As for export. Recently, however, F-5 upgrade programs have become
available by IAI as F-5E Plus Tiger III. Chilean F-5Es, for example, are being
upgraded with EUM-2032B multi-mode radar (originally developed for the Lavi),
improved RWRs, a new HUD, HOTAS controls, colour MFDs and a new INS.
| The single-engined F-20 shows new features; shark nose, splitter plates and redisigned rear fuselage. However none were sold. |
RECCE VARIANT
Production was approved in 1978 for a
specialised tactical reconnaissance version designated RF-5E Tigereye, retaining
full combat capability. A modified lengthened nose houses a single camera. This
can be augmented by two interchangeable pallets, containing combinations of
panoramic cameras and an IR linescanner. The first production aircraft flew in
1982, and the RF-5E has been exported to Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. Six
Singaporean F-5Es have been converted to this recce configuration.
| Chile's F-5Es have been upgraded by IAI with new cockpits with advanced displays, more capable radars, and capability for Python 3 missiles and laser-guided bombs. Note the advanced vertical wing. | 
|
SPECIFICATION: Northrop F-5E Tiger II
POWERPLANT: two
General Electric J85-GE-21B turbojets each rated at 15.5 kN (3,500 lb st) dry
and 22.24 kN (5,000 lb) with afterburning
DIMENSIONS: wing span 8.53 m
(28 ft 0 in) with tip-mounted AAMs; length 14.45 m (47 ft 4.75 in) including
probe; height 4.08 m (13 ft 4.5 in); wing area 17.28 m sq (186.00 sq
ft)
WEIGHTS: empty 4349 kg (9,558 lb); maximum take-off 11187 kg
(24,664 lb)
PERFORMANCE: maximum level speed 'clean' at 10975 m
(36,000 ft) 917 kt (1700 km/h; 1,056 mph); cruising speed at 10975 m (36,000 ft)
562 kt (647 mph; 1041 km/h); maximum rate of climb at sea level 10455 m (34,300
ft) per minute; service ceiling 15590 m (51,800 ft); combat radius 760 nm (1405
km; 875 miles) with two AIM-9 AAMs
ARMAMENT: two M39A2 20-mm revolver
cannons each with 280 rounds; maximum ordnance 3175 kg (7,000 lb), including two
AIM-9 missiles on tip rails, rockets, plus provision for LGBs
If you want more information about the Northrop's F-5 , just click F-5 .