The F-5 Freedom Fighter was a supersonic fighter aircraft which was deployed by the US Navy and American Allies during the Cold War. It was designed by Northrop in the United States in 1958. The prototype, the YF-5A, performed its first flight on July 30, 1959, entering service with the US Navy in 1962. Hundreds still remain in service in air forces around the world in the early 21st Century, and the type has also been the basis for a number of other aircraft.
Including the YF-5A prototype, Northrop had built 636 F-5A aircraft before production ended in 1972. These were followed by 200 two-seat F-5B aircraft, which were operational trainers, lacking the nose-mounted cannon but otherwise combat-capable, while 86 RF-5A reconnaissance variants of the F-5A, fitted with a four camera nose were also built. In addition Canadair built 240 first generation F-5s under license, and the Spanish aviation firm, CASA, built in Spain a further 70 aircraft. The USAF had no need for a light fighter, but it did specify a requirement for a supersonic trainer and procured about 1,200 of a derivative airframe for this purpose, the T-38 Talon.
In 1970 Northrop won a competition for an improved International Fighter Aircraft to replace the F-5A, with better air-to-air performance against aircraft like the Soviet MiG 21. The resultant aircraft, initially known as F-5A-21, subsequently became the F-5E Tiger II. It had more powerful (5,000 lbf) J-85-21 engines, and had a lengthened and enlarged fuselage, accommodating more fuel. Its wings were fitted with enlarged leading edge extensions, giving an increased wing area and improved manouverability.
F-5 Freedom Fighter Specifications
Engine: two General Electric J85-GE-21B turbojets.
Maximum speed: 1,060 mph (1,700 km/h, Mach 1.6)
Range: 870 mi (1,405 km)
Length: 47 ft 4¾ in (14.45 m)
Wingspan: 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m)
Crew: one
Armament: two 20mm (0.787 in) Pontiac M39A2 cannons in the nose; two LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods, each with 19× /7× Hydra 70 mm rockets, respectively; four AIM-9 Sidewinders missiles.
[...] jet fighter aircraft developed by Northrop Corporation from F-5E Tiger II, and this in turn from F-5 Freedom Fighter. The prototype of the F-20 performed its first flight on August 30, 1982. Although Northrop had [...]