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Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / F-5 Tiger II
The F-5 Freedom Fighter grew into the F-5 Tiger II, which sprouted the ill-fated F-20 Tigershark.
By Staff Writer
The Northrop-produced F-5 Tiger series was intended as a low-cost, low-maintenance alternative for Allies of the United States during the Cold War years. The initial model was the F-5 "Freedom Fighter", which in turn spawned the much more advanced F-5 Tiger II. This then spawned the failed F-20 Tigershark. In all essence, the system was a viable alternative to countries seeking US military assistance at a relatively affordable price.
The F-5 Freedom Fighter was designed in the late 1950's and fielded as early as the mid-1960's. The system was immediately used to train pilots from around the world with several countries, including Spain and Canada, opting to produce the aircraft in their own factories. Though not designated as an all-weather fighter, the system gained some merit through its basic capabilities and high level of agility.
The F-5 Tiger II followed as a highly developed version of the base F-5. The twin-engine aircraft was capable of speeds of over 1,000 miles per hour and had a service ceiling of over 50,000 feet. As a budget fighter, the system could be called upon to fulfill the role of interceptor or strike fighter. A twin-seat conversion trainer was also offered to compliment the base single-seat one.
The F-5 Tiger II "E" model became the definitive F-5 as it incorporated a redesigned fuselage, advanced control avionics and better integrated weapons systems. The United States Air Force would eventually field this model in training purposes, where the F-5E Tiger II and its pilots trained in conventional Soviet air tactics could act as "aggressor" aircraft for other pilots in training. In all, over 2,700 F-5 series of fighters entered service all across the globe, with many still flying today.
The F-5 Tiger II spawned the ill-fated F-20 Tigershark - a larger and more powerful version of the base F-5 Tiger II. Little interest at home and abroad led to the system never being fielded by any one party.
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Last Revision: 10/8/2009
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| Specifications for the Northrop F-5E Tiger II |
 Dimensions: |
Length: 47.41ft (14.45m)
Width:26.67ft (8.13m)
Height: 13.32ft (4.06m)
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| Performance: |
About MACH |
Max Speed: 1,077mph (1,734kmh; 936kts)
Max Range: 1,543miles (2,483km)
Rate-of-Climb: 28,700ft/min (8,748m/min)
Service Ceiling: 51,804ft (15,790m; 9.8miles)
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| Structure: |
Accommodation: 1
Hardpoints: 7 (including wingtip mounts)
Empty Weight: 9,722lbs (4,410kg)
MTOW: 24,723lbs (11,214kg)
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| Powerplant: |
| Engine(s): 2 x General Electric J85-GE21 turbojet engines with afterburner generating 5,000lbs thrust each. |
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| Armament Suite: |
2 x 20mm cannons
2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
Mission-specific ordinance is limited up to a maximum of 7,000lbs and can include: rocket pods, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles, dumb bombs, additional AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and additional fuel droptanks.
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| Pictures of the Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / F-5 Tiger II |
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Aircraft Quick Profile |
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| 1976 |
Designation: Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / F-5 Tiger II
Classification Type: Multirole Aircraft
Contractor: Northrop Aircraft Corporation - USA
Country of Origin: United States
Production Total: 2,700 |
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Operators: Botswana; Morocco; Phillipines; Saudi Arabia; South Korea; Canada; Norway; Netherlands; Switzerland; Spain; Thailand; Turkey; Venezuela; Greece; United States
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| Variants |
N-156 - Northrop Private Venture Lightweight Fighter Model.
N-156T - Supersonic Trainer Variant of the base N-156.
YT-38 - Prototype Model based on the N-156T trainer model; fitted with 2 x General Electric J85-GE-1 turbofan engines (non-afterburning) capable of 2,600lbs of thrust each; Further prototypes were fitted with J85-GE-5 capable of 3,600lbs of thrust.
N-156F - Fighter Model Designation
F-5A "Freedom Fighter" - Single Seat Fighter; 818 produced.
F-5B - Two-seat Variant; 290 produced.
CF-5 - Canadair-produced version
NF-5 - Netherlands-produced version
F-5G - Norwegian-produced version
SF-5 - CASA-produced version for Spain
RF-5A - Reconnaissance Model fitted with appropriate systems and components.
F-5E "Tiger II" - Tiger II designation is used; Single seat fighter version.
F-5F Tiger II - Two-seat fighter model; integrated fire-control system; fitted with J85-GE-21 powerplants capable of 5,000lbs of thrust; increased MTOW; aerodynamic refinements to airframe; improved avionics.
RF-5E "TigerEye" - Improved Reconnaissance Variant.
F-20 "Tigershark" - Abandoned Export Model of improved and redesigned F-5 Tiger II series.
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