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/D: 1,204
E/F: 1,399
Developed from Northrop T-38 Talon
Variants
Canadair CF-5Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration
Developed into Northrop F-20 Tigershark
HESA Azarakhsh
HESA Saeqeh
HESA Kowsar
The design effort was led by Northrop vice president of engineering and aircraft designer Edgar Schmued, who previously at North American Aviation had been the chief designer of the successful North American P-51 Mustang and F-86 Sabre fighters. Schmued recruited a strong engineering team to Northrop. In December 1953, NATO issued NBMR-1, calling for a lightweight tactical fighter capable of carrying conventional and nuclear weapons and operating from rough airfields. In late 1954, a Northrop team toured Europe and Asia to examine both the NBMR-1 and the needs of SEATO members. From this tour, Schmued gave his team the goal of reversing the trend in fighter development towards greater size and weight in order to deliver an aircraft with high performance, enhanced maneuverability, and high reliability, while still delivering a cost advantage over contemporary fighters. Recognizing that expensive jet aircraft could not viably be replaced every few years, he also demanded "engineered growth potential" allowing service longevity in excess of 10 years
Ceiling
Combat RANGE
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In 1970, Northrop won the International Fighter Aircraft (IFA) competition to replace the F-5A, with better air-to-air performance against aircraft like the Soviet MiG-21.
The F-5E experienced numerous upgrades in its service life.
documentary about TheNorthrop F 5 Freedom Fighter in HD