military-aircraft-f-5a

With the development of the F-5E Tiger II as successor to the F-5A Freedom Fighter as the "poor man's fighter" for use by the USA's less affluent allies, it made sense to produce a two setter conversion trainer counterpart. Development was approved early in 1974, and the F-5F first flew in September of the same year. The airframe is basically that of the F-5E lengthened by 3 ft. 6.5 to allow the insertion of a second ejector seat, displays, and controls under a lengthened canopy. Though one of the F-5Es two 20-mm cannon is removed, the F-5F still has the F-5E's fire control system with APQ-157 multi role radar, and retains all five hard points for full combat capability. Some aircraft have an inertial navigation system and provision for laser designator pod. about 200 F-5Fs were produced, and such aircraft serve with most F-5E operators. Many aircraft are being updated in a series of programs concerned mostly with the F-5E.

Description	Specifications
Manufacturer: Northrop	Length: 51 ft. 4 in.
First Flight: September 1974	Height: 13 ft. 1.75 in.
Model: II	Wing Span: 26 ft. 8 in.
Crew: Two	Wing Area: 186.0 sq. ft.
Nickname: Tiger	Empty Weight: 10,576 lb.
Basic Role: Conversion and proficiency trainer.	Max. Weight: 25,152 lb.
Other Versions: F-5F Tiger II combat capable two seat trainer.	Armament: One 20-mm cannon, and up to 7,000 lb of disposable stores.
Principal User: Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sudan, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, and USA	Propulsion
Performance	Power Plant: General Electric J85-GE-21B turbojet.
Range: 599 miles radius.	Horsepower: 5,000-lb reheated thrust.
Max. Speed: 1,030 mph. or Mach 1.56 at 36,090 ft.	No. Of Engines: Two
Ceiling: 50,800 ft.
Climb Rate: 32,900 ft. per minute.

	An F5A of the Moroccan air force being refueld. The F-5's ability to operate successfully with little back-ground support made this type ideal for developing countries.
	An RF-5E Tigereye of the Royal Saudi Air Force reveals the much revised nose of this tactical reconnaissance model.