The Korean Air KF-5F "Jegong-Ho" lightweight Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) is nothing more than the American Cold War-era Northrop F-5F "Tiger II" fighter / supersonic trainer aircraft. The designation signifies a locally-produced F-5F for the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) and the type was first introduced during September of 1982. Twenty airframes were acquired in this fashion. Similarly, the KF-5E are F-5E models also built in South Korea for its air service. Introduction was also had in September of 1982 and 48 airframes were procured by the branch.
The KF-5F and KF-5E models joined F-5A/B variants purchased in 1965 by the RoKAF. F-5E models then followed in August of 1974. This experience led to local production of the type from 1982 to 1986.
For intents and purposes, the South Korean fighters are faithful to the original American design. They seat two in tandem under independent canopies and each position has ejection seats. The cockpits are set aft of a radar-housing nose assembly. The monoplane wings are held low against the sides of the fuselage and each wingtip is usually reserved for short-ranged air-to-air missiles (if armed). The tail unit comprises a single vertical fin with low-set, all-moving horizontal planes to round out the control scheme. Side fuselage intakes aspirate the turbojet engine pairing within. A retractable tricycle style undercarriage allows for the needed ground-running.
As fighters "first", Tiger IIs have a limited ground attack capability. A jettisonable fuel tank is typically fitted at centerline. As Advanced Jet Trainer platforms, they excel in providing pilots their first taste of supersonic flight.
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Training (General)
Developed ability to be used as a dedicated trainer for student pilots (typically under the supervision of an instructor).
✓- Training (Advanced)
Dedicated advanced training platform for student pilots having graduated from basic flight training.
Length
48.2 ft (14.69 m)
Width/Span
26.7 ft (8.15 m)
Height
13.5 ft (4.10 m)
Empty Wgt
9,590 lb (4,350 kg)
MTOW
24,692 lb (11,200 kg)
Wgt Diff
+15,102 lb (+6,850 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Korean Air KF-5F production variant)
monoplane / low-mounted / swept-back
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.
Low-Mounted
Mainplanes are low-mounted along the sides of the fuselage.
Swept-Back
The planform features wing sweep back along the leading edges of the mainplane, promoting higher operating speeds.
(Structural descriptors pertain to the Korean Air KF-5F production variant)
Installed:
2 x General Electric J85-GE-21 afterburning turbojet engines developing 3,500lb of thrust each.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Korean Air KF-5F production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
Typically none unless in armaments training.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 5
Mounting Points
15
-
-
-
-
5
-
1
-
4
-
-
-
-
14
HARDPOINT(S) KEY:
X
15
13
11
9
7
5
3
1
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
COLOR KEY:
Fuselage Centerline
Fuselage Port/Wingroot
Fuselage Starboard/Wingroot
Wing/Underwing
Wingtip Mount(s)
Internal Bay(s)
Not Used
Note: Diagram above does not take into account inline hardpoints (mounting positions seated one-behind-the-other).
KF-5F ("Jegong-Ho") - Base Series Designation; 20 airframes completed.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
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Image from the Republic of Korea Ministry of Defense; Public Release.
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South Korea
