Northrop F-5 Tiger
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.
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Successors 1 airplane(s) +7 bonus
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- Wingspan 40.7ft (12.4m)
- Length 66.1ft (20.1m)
- Height 15.0ft (4.6m)
- Empty Weight 10,380lbs (4,708kg)
- Loaded Weight 26,340lbs (11,947kg)
Performance
- Power/Weight Ratio 0.853
- Wing Loading 59.4lbs/ft2 (289.9kg/m2)
- Wing Area 443.7ft2 (41.2m2)
- Drag Points 7737
Parts
- Number of Parts 153
- Control Surfaces 3
- Performance Cost 553
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