Northrop F-5
The Northrop F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter and the F-5E and F-5F Tiger II are part of a supersonic light fighter family, initially designed in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation. Being smaller and simpler than contemporaries such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 cost less to both procure and operate, making it a popular export aircraft. The F-5 started life as a privately funded light fighter program by Northrop in the 1950s. The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact and high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and low cost of maintenance. Though primarily designed for the 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 U.S. allies. Though the USAF had no acknowledged need for a light fighter, it did procure roughly 1,200 Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, which were directly based on the F-5A.

F-5A/B Freedom Fighter
F-5E/F Tiger II
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An F-5E of the Swiss Air Force
Role
Light fighter
National origin
United States
Manufacturer
Northrop Corporation
First flight
F-5A: 30 July 1959
F-5E: 11 August 1972
Introduction
1962
Status
In service
Primary users
United States Navy
Republic of China Air Force
Republic of Korea Air Force
Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
Produced
1959–1987
Number built
A/B/C: 847[1]
E/F: 1,399[2]
Unit cost
F-5E: US$2.1 million[3]
Developed from
Northrop T-38 Talon
Variants
Canadair CF-5
Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration
Developed into
Northrop F-20 Tigershark
HESA Saeqeh
HESA Azarakhsh
After winning the International Fighter Aircraft competition in 1970, a program aimed at providing effective low-cost fighters to American allies, Northrop introduced the second-generation F-5E Tiger II in 1972. This upgrade included more powerful engines, higher fuel capacity, greater wing area and improved leading edge extensions for a better turn rate, 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.[4] A total of 1,400 Tiger IIs were built before production ended in 1987. More than 3,800 F-5 and the closely related T-38 advanced trainer aircraft were produced in Hawthorne, California.[5] The F-5N/F variants are in service with the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps as an adversary trainer.[6] Approximately 500 aircraft are in service as of 2014.[7][N 1]

The F-5 was also developed into a dedicated reconnaissance version, 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 navalized 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.