Information
The Northrop F-5 is a family of supersonic light fighter aircraft initially designed as a privately funded project in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation. There are two main models, the original F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter variants and the extensively updated F-5E and F-5F Tiger II variants. The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact and high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and a low cost of maintenance. Smaller and simpler than contemporaries such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 cost less to procure and operate, making it a popular export aircraft. Though primarily designed for a 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 at the time the United States Air Force (USAF) did not have a need for a light fighter, it did procure approximately 1,200 Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, which was based on Northrop's N-156 fighter design.

Weaponry
2× 20 mm (0.787 in) M39A2 Revolver cannon
Rockets:
2× LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods (each with 19× /7× Hydra 70 mm rockets)
2× LAU-5003 rocket pods (each with 19× CRV7 70 mm rockets)
2× LAU-10 rocket pods (each with 4× Zuni 127 mm rockets)
2× Matra rocket pods (each with 18× SNEB 68 mm rockets)

Air to Air
2× AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile on wingtips (initial F-5E Tiger II loadout)
4× AIM-9 Sidewinder or 4× AIM-120 AMRAAM[246] air-to-air missile (F-5S and modernized F-5E)
4× AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles (on upgraded F-5 after 1995)
AA-8 Aphid, AA-10 Alamo, AA-11 Archer and other Russian/Chinese AAMs (Iranian ver.)

Air to Ground
A variety of air-to-ground ordnance such as the Mark 80 series of unguided bombs (including 3 kg and 14 kg practice bombs), CBU-24/49/52/58 cluster bomb munitions, napalm bomb canisters and M129 Leaflet bomb, and laser-guided bombs of Paveway family.

In Game Loadout
20 mm (0.787 in) M39A2 Revolver cannon x2
Aim-9L x4

Aircraft Info
Crew: 1
Length: 48'
Wingspan: 26'
Height: 13' 4''
Wing area: 186 ft^2
Empty weight: 9,583 lbs
Gross weight: 15,745 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 24,675 lbs
Fuel capacity: 677 US Gallons
Powerplant: General Electric J85-GE-21 x2

Maximum speed: Mach 1.63 (1,082 Mph \ 1,741 Kph)
Range: 481 nmi
Combat range: 120 nmi
Service ceiling: 51,800 ft
G-limit: 7
Wing loading: 133 lbs/ft^2
Thrust/weight: 0.4 take-off thrust at maximum take-off weight

Operators
Austria (Former Operator)
Bahrain
Botswana
Brazil
Canada (Former Operator)
Chilie
Ethiopia (Former Operator)
Greece (Former Operator)
Honduras
Indonesia (Former Operator)
Iran
Jordan (Former Operator)
Kenya
Libya (Former Operator)
Malaysia (Former Operator)
Mexico
Morocco
Netherlands (Former Operator)
North Yemen (Former Operator)
Norway (Former Operator)
Philippines (Former Operator)
Saudia Arabia (Former Operator)
Singapore (Former Operator)
South Korea
South Vietnam (Former Operator)
Soviet Union (Former Operator)
Spain
Sudan (Former Operator)
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United States (Former Operator)
Venezuela
Vietnam (Former Operator)
Yemen

Other
AG7: Eject

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