Northrop F-5

F-5A/B Freedom Fighter F-5E/F Tiger II
A late production F-5E Tiger II for the U.S. Air Force, differentiated by the longer dorsal spine
Role	Fighter
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Northrop
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 Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force See Operators for others
Number built	A/B/C: 847[1] E/F: 1,399[2]
Unit cost	F-5E: US$2.1 million[3]
Developed from	T-38 Talon
Variants	Canadair CF-5
Developed into	Northrop F-20 Tigershark

The Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter and the F-5E/F Tiger II are part of a family of widely-used light supersonic fighter aircraft, designed and built by Northrop. Hundreds remain in service in air forces around the world in the early 21st century, and the type has also been the basis for a number of other aircraft.

The F-5 started life as a privately-funded light fighter program by Northrop in the 1950s. The first-generation F-5A Freedom Fighter entered service in the 1960s. During the Cold War, over 800 were produced through 1972 for U.S. allies, and Switzerland. The USAF had no need for a light fighter but specifed a requirement for a supersonic trainer, procuring about 1,200 of a derivative airframe for this purpose, the Northrop T-38 Talon.

The improved second-generation F-5E Tiger II was also primarily used by American Cold War allies and, in limited quantities, served in US military aviation as a training and aggressor aircraft; Tiger II production amounted to 1,400 of all versions, with production ending in 1987. Many F-5s continuing in service into the 1990s and 2000s have undergone a wide variety of upgrade programs to keep pace with the changing combat environment.

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 twin-tailed Northrop YF-17 and the F/A-18 series of carrier-based fighters. The Northrop F-20 Tigershark was an advanced version of the F-5E that did not find a market. The F-5N/F variants remain in service with the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps as an adversary trainer.^[4]

Design and development

Origins

The first Northrop YF-5A prototype aircraft

In the mid-1950s, Northrop started development on a low-cost, low-maintenance fighter, with the company designation N-156, partly to meet a US Navy requirement for a jet fighter to operate from its Escort Carriers, which were too small to operate the Navy's existing jet fighters. That requirement disappeared when the Navy decided to withdraw the Escort Carriers, but Northrop continued development of the N-156, with both a two seat advanced trainer (the N-156T), and a single-seat fighter (the N-156F) planned.

The N-156 was based on the use of a pair of an afterburning version of the General Electric J85 engine, which was originally designed to power the tiny McDonnell ADM-20 Quail decoy, which was then carried by the B-52 bomber. This requirement created a very small engine with a very high thrust-to-weight ratio.^[5] The N-156T was selected by the United States Air Force as a replacement for the T-33 in July 1965, allowing development of the trainer to progress at full speed, the first example, later designated YT-38 Talon, flying on 12 June 1959 with a total of 1,158 Talons being built by the time production ended in January 1972.^[6][7]

Development of the N-156F continued at a lower priority as a private venture by Northrop, which was rewarded by an order for three prototypes on 25 February 1958 as a prospective low-cost fighter that could be supplied under the Military Assistance Program for distribution to less-developed nations. The first N-156F flew at Edwards Air Force Base on 30 July 1959, exceeding the speed of sound on its first flight.^[8]

Although testing of the N-156F was successful, demonstrating unprecedented reliability and proving superior in the ground-attack role to the USAF's existing North American F-100 Super Sabres, official interest in the Northrop type waned, and by 1960 it looked as if the program was a failure. Interest revived in 1961, but when the US Army tested it, (along with the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk and Fiat G.91) for reconnaissance and close-support, although all three types proved capable during Army testing, operating fixed-wing combat aircraft was legally the responsibility of the Air Force, which would not agree to operate the N-156 or allow the Army to operate fixed-wing combat aircraft, a situation repeated with the C-7 Caribou.^[9]

VNAF F-5C Bien Hoa Air Base, 1971

In 1962, however, the Kennedy Administration revived the requirement for a low-cost export fighter, selecting the N-156F as winner of the F-X competition on 23 April 1962 subsequently becoming the "F-5A", being ordered into production in October that year.^[10] It was named under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system, which included a re-set of the fighter number series (the General Dynamics F-111 was the highest sequentially numbered P/F-aircraft to enter service under the old number sequence).

Northrop built 636 F-5As (including the YF-5A prototype) before production ended in 1972. These were accompanied by 200 two-seat F-5B aircraft. These were operational trainers, lacking the nose-mounted cannon but otherwise combat-capable, while 86 RF-5A reconnaissance variants of the F-5A, fitted with a four-camera nose were also built. In addition, Canadair built 240 first generation F-5s under license, with CASA in Spain adding a further 70 aircraft.^[11]

F-5E and F-5F Tiger II

Official roll-out of first USAF F-5E Tiger-II

In 1970, Northrop won a competition for an improved International Fighter Aircraft (IFA) to replace the F-5A, with better air-to-air performance against aircraft like the Soviet MiG 21. The resultant aircraft, initially known as F-5A-21, subsequently became the F-5E. It had more powerful (5,000 lbf) General Electric J85-21 engines, and had a lengthened and enlarged fuselage, accommodating more fuel. Its wings were fitted with enlarged leading edge extensions, giving an increased wing area and improved maneuverability. The aircraft's avionics were more sophisticated, crucially including a radar (initially the Emerson Electric AN/APQ-153) (the F-5A and B had no radar). It retained the gun armament of two M39 cannon, one on either side of the nose) of the F-5A. Various specific avionics fits could be accommodated at customer request, including an inertial navigation system, TACAN and ECM equipment.^[12]

The first F-5E flew on 11 August 1972.^[13] A two-seat combat-capable trainer, the F-5F, was offered, first flying on 25 September 1974, with a new, longer nose, which, unlike the F-5B that did not mount a gun, allowed it to retain a single M39 cannon, albeit with a reduced ammunition capacity.^[14] The two-seater was equipped with the Emerson AN/APQ-157 radar, which is a derivative of the AN/APQ-153 radar, with dual control and display systems to accommodate the two-men crew, and the radar has the same range of AN/APQ-153, around 10 nmi.

Early series F-5E

A reconnaissance version, the RF-5E Tigereye, with a sensor package in the nose displacing the radar and one cannon, was also offered. The latest radar upgrade included the Emerson AN/APG-69, which was the successor of AN/APQ-159, incorporating mapping capability. However, most nations chose not to upgrade for financial reasons, and the radar saw very little service in USAF aggressor squadrons and Swiss air force.

The F-5E eventually received the official name Tiger II. The F-5E experienced numerous upgrades in its service life, with the most significant one being adopting a new planar array radar, Emerson AN/APQ-159 with a range of 20 nmi to replace the original AN/APQ-153. Similar radar upgrades were also proposed for F-5F, with the derivative of AN/APQ-159, the AN/APQ-167, to replace the AN/APQ-157, but that was cancelled.

Northrop built 792 F-5Es, 140 F-5Fs and 12 RF-5Es.^[11] More were built under license overseas: 91 F-5Es and -Fs in Switzerland,^[15] 68 by Korean Air in South Korea,^[16] and 308 in Taiwan.^[17] The F-5 proved to be a successful combat aircraft for US allies, but had little combat service with the US Air Force. The F-5E evolved into the single-engine F-5G, which was rebranded the F-20 Tigershark. It lost out on export sales to the F-16 in the 1980s.

Upgrades

Various F-5 versions remain in service with many nations.

Singapore has approximately 49 modernized and re-designated F-5S (single-seat) and F-5T (two-seat) aircraft. Upgrades include new FIAR Grifo-F X-band radar from Galileo Avionica (similar in performance to the AN/APG-69), updated cockpits with multi-function displays, and compatibility with the AIM-120 AMRAAM and Rafael Python air-to-air missiles.^[18][19][20]

Similar programs have been carried out in Chile and Brazil with the help of Elbit. The Chilean upgrade, called the F-5 Tiger III Plus, incorporated a new Elta EL/M-2032 radar and other improvements. The Brazilian program, whose product is called the F-5M (Modernized), is armed with Python V coupled to the DASH helmet-mounted cue system, and new GRIFO radar, cockpit displays and navigation electronics. The Brazilian F-5M is also equipped with the Israeli Derby missile and can operate in a BVR environment.

NASA F-5E modified for DARPA sonic boom tests

In the Cruzex 2006 multinational war games, a Brazilian F-5 made simulated kills on two French Dassault Mirage 2000N aircraft, which were supported by an E-3 Sentry and escorted by other two Mirage 2000C. This result was achieved by using the Derby and the information relayed by datalink from an AEW&C plane, the Embraer R-99, fitted with the Erieye AESA radar.^[21]

Another upgrade program was carried out for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) by Israel, designated the F-5T Tigris; it was armed with Python III and 4 (with the Dash helmet-mounted cueing system). Unlike other F-5s which have undergone updates, the RTAF aircraft cannot use BVR missiles.

One NASA F-5E was given a modified fuselage shape for its employment in the Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration program carried out by DARPA. It is preserved in the Valiant Air Command Museum at Titusville, Florida.

Operational history

United States

The first contract for the production F-5A was issued in 1962, the first overseas order coming from the Royal Norwegian Air Force on 28 February 1964. It entered service with the 4441st Combat Crew Training School of the USAF, which had the role of training pilots and ground crew for customer nations, on 30 April that year, it still not being intended that the aircraft be used in significant numbers by the USAF itself.^[22]

A F-5B of 602d TFS at Bien Hoa, 1966

This changed with testing and limited deployment in 1965. Preliminary combat evaluation of the F-5A began at the Air Proving Ground Center, Eglin AFB, Florida, during the summer of 1965 under project Sparrow Hawk, with one airframe lost through pilot error on 24 June.^[23] In October 1965, the USAF began a five-month combat evaluation of the F-5A titled Skoshi Tiger. Twelve aircraft were delivered for trials to the 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, and after modification with probe and drogue aerial refueling equipment, armor and improved instruments, were redesignated as the F-5C.^[24] Over the next six months, they performed combat duty in Vietnam, flying more than 2,600 sorties, both from the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Bien Hoa over South Vietnam, and from Da Nang Air Base where operations were flown over Laos. One aircraft was lost in combat.^[25] Although declared a success, with the aircraft generally rated as capable a ground-attack aircraft as the F-100, but suffering from a shorter range,^[26] the program was considered a political gesture intended to aid the export of more F-5s than a serious consideration of the type for U.S. service.^[24] From April 1966 the aircraft continued operations as 10th Fighter Commando Squadron with their number boosted to 17 aircraft. (Following Skoshi Tiger the Philippine Air Force acquired 23 F-5A and B models in 1965. These aircraft, along with remanufactured Vought F-8 Crusaders, eventually replaced the Philippine Air Force's North American F-86 Sabre in the air defense and ground attack roles.)

USAF F-5F with AIM-9J Sidewinder, AGM-65 Maverick missiles and auxiliary fuel tanks over Edwards Air Force Base, 1976

In June 1967, the 10th FCS's surviving aircraft were turned over to the air force of South Vietnam, which previously had only A-37 Dragonfly and A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft. This new VNAF squadron was titled the 522nd. The president of Vietnam had originally asked for F-4 Phantoms used by the Americans, but the VNAF flew primarily ground support as the communist forces employed no opposing aircraft over South Vietnam, MiG or otherwise. Ironically, when Bien Hoa was later overrun by Communist forces, several of the aircraft were captured and used operationally by the NVAF, in particular against Khmer Rouge. In view of the performance, agility and size of the F-5, it might have appeared to be a good match against the similar MiG-21 in air combat; however, US doctrine was to use heavy, faster and longer-range aircraft like the Republic F-105 Thunderchief and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II over North Vietnam. Several of the F-5s left over from the Vietnam war were sent to Poland and Russia, for advanced study of US aviation technology,^[27] while others were decommissioned and put on display at museums in Vietnam.

Although the United States does not use the F-5 in a front line role, it was adopted for an opposing forces (OPFOR) "aggressor" for dissimilar training role because of its small size and performance similarities to the Soviet MiG-21.

A former Swiss F-5N in service with US Navy aggressor squadron VFC-111

The F-5E saw service with the US Air Force from 1975 until 1990, serving in the 64th Aggressor Squadron and 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, and with the 527th Aggressor Squadron at RAF Alconbury in the UK and the 26th Aggressor Squadron at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. The US Marines purchased ex-USAF models in 1989 to replace their F-21s, which served with VMFT-401 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. The U.S. Navy used the F-5E extensively at the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) when it was located at NAS Miramar, California. When TOPGUN relocated to become part of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at NAS Fallon, Nevada, the command divested itself of the F-5, choosing to rely on VC-13 (redesignated VFC-13 and which already used F-5s) to employ their F-5s as adversary aircraft. Former adversary squadrons such as VF-43 at NAS Oceana, VF-45 at NAS Key West, VF-126 at NAS Miramar, and VFA-127 at NAS Lemoore have also operated the F-5 along with other aircraft types in support of Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT).

The U.S. Navy F-5 fleet continues to be modernized with 36 low-hour F-5E/Fs purchased from Switzerland in 2006. These were updated as F-5N/Fs with modernized avionics and other improved systems. Currently, the only U.S. Navy units flying the F-5 are VFC-13 at NAS Fallon, Nevada and VFC-111 at NAS Key West, Florida.^[4] Currently, VFC-111 operates 18 Northrop F-5N/F Tiger-IIs, of which 17 are single-seater F-5Ns and the remainder being a twin-seater F-5F, which was dubbed "FrankenTiger" and is one of only three in service with the USN, being a product of grafting the older front half fuselage of the F-5Fs into the back half fuselage of the newer low-hours F-5Es acquired from the Swiss Air Force.^[28]

According to the FAA, there are 18 privately owned F-5s in the US, including Canadair CF-5Ds.^[29][30]

Mexico

A Mexican Air Force F-5

In 1982, Mexico received 12 F-5E/F after the purchase of 24 IAI Kfir C.1 were blocked by the U.S, because the Kfir used the American-produced J79 engine. These fighters accompanied the T-33 and Vampire MkIII (procured much earlier), two of the first combat jet aircraft in Mexico. The subsonic T-33 and Vampire were introduced in the early 60's. The F-5 gave Mexico it's first supersonic platform and saw the formation of Air Squadron 401. In 1995 after more than 30 military parade flights without incident, on September 16, 1995 during the military parade of the Independence of Mexico an F-5E collided in the air with three T-33. A total of 10 deaths occurred. Since then, flyovers in Mexico were smaller in participation, for safety. In 2007 the F-5 had its 25 year anniversary in Mexican Air Force service. Mexico is currently looking at the Lockheed Martin F-16 as a much-needed replacement for the aging F-5's by 2015. Air Squadron 402 are also looking to replace their Lockheed T-33's that were retired in 2007.^{[citation needed][clarification needed]}

Republic of China (Taiwan)

The Republic of China Air Force received its first batch of seven F-5As and two F-5Bs under the US Military Assistance Program in 1965. By 1971, the ROCAF was operating 72 F-5As and 11 F-5Bs.^[31][32] During 1972, the US decided to borrow 48 F-5As from Taiwan to boost the South Vietnam Air Force strength before withdrawing US forces from South Vietnam. By 1973 most of those loaned F-5As in South Vietnam were not in flying shape consequently the US decided to return 20 F-5As to Taiwan by drawing nine F-5As from US reserves while repairing a further 11 from those still in flying shape in South Vietnam. These were sent to Taiwan to make necessary repairs, with gave 28 F-5Es issued to Taiwan by May 1975 in return.^[33][34] By 1973, Taiwan's AIDC started local production of a first batch of 100 F-5Es in Taiwan, the first of six Peace Tiger production batches. By end of 1986 when the production line closed after completing Peace Tiger 6, the AIDC had produced 242 F-5Es and 66 F-5Fs. Adding the 28 original US-made F-5E/Fs, this made Taiwan the largest F-5E/F operator at one time, with 336 F-5E/Fs in inventory.^[35] A bit of F-20 influence can be seen in the last batch of F-5E/Fs by AIDC in Taiwan that featured the F-20's shark nose.^[36]

With the introduction of 150 F-16s, 60 Mirage 2000-5s and 130 F-CK-1s in mid- to late-1990s, the F-5E/F series became second line fighters in ROCAF service and mostly are now withdrawn from service as squadrons converted to new fighters entering ROCAF service. Seven low airframe hours F-5Es were sent to ST Aerospace to convert them to RF-5E standard to fulfill a reconnaissance role previously undertaken by the retiring RF-104G in ROCAF service.^[37] As of 2009, only about 40 ROCAF F-5E/Fs still remain in service in training roles with about 90-100 F-5E/Fs held in reserve. The other retired F-5E/F are either scrapped, or used as decoys painted in colors representing the main front line F-16, Mirage 2000-5 or F-CK-1 fighters, and deployed around major air bases.^[38][39]

Taiwan also tried to upgrade the F-5E/F fleet with AIDC's Tiger 2000/2001 program. The first flight took place on 24 July 2002. The program would replace the F-5E/F's radar with F-CK-1's GD-53 radar and allow the fighter to carry a single TC-2 BVRAAM on the centerline. But lack of interest from the Taiwan/ROC Air Force eventually killed the program. The only prototype is on display in AIDC in Central Taiwan.^[40][41][42]

The only air combat actions ROCAF F-5E/F pilots saw, were not over Taiwan, but in North Yemen. In 1979, a flareup between North and South Yemen prompted the US to sell 14 F-5E/Fs to North Yemen to boost its air defense. Since no one in North Yemen knew how to fly the F-5E/F (only MiG-15s were operational at the time), US and Saudi Arabia arranged to have 80+ ROCAF F-5E pilots (eight pilots per year) plus ground crew and anti-air defense units sent to North Yemen as part of North Yemen Air Force's 115th Squadron at Sana‘a operating initially just six F-5E/Fs and then from April 1979 to May 1990, added eight more. The ROCAF piloted F-5E/F scored a few kills in a few air battles, but the ground early warning radar crews and anti-air units also suffered from air attacks from South Yemen, the aircraft being piloted by Soviet crews.^[43]

Iran

F-5E of Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

The Imperial Iranian Air Force received extensive US equipment in the 1960s and 1970s. Iran received its first 11 F-5A and two F-5Bs in February 1965 which were then declared operational in June 1965. Ultimately, Iran received 104 F-5A and 23 F-5Bs by 1972. From January 1974 with the first squadron of 28 F-5Fs, Iran received a total of 166 F-5E/F and 15 additional RF-5Es with deliveries ending in 1976. While receiving the F-5E and F, Iran started selling its F-5A and Bs to other countries including Ethiopia, Turkey, Greece and South Vietnam; by 1976, they were all sold apart from some F-5Bs retained for training.

After the revolution, the new Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force was partially successful keeping Western fighters in service during the war with Iraq in the 1980s and the simple F-5 had a good service readiness until late in the war. Initially Iran took spare parts from foreign sources, later it was able to have its new aircraft industry keep the aircraft flying.^[44]

During the war with Iraq, IRIAF F-5s were heavily involved, flying air-to-air and air-to-ground sorties. Iranian F-5s took part in many air combats with Iraqi MiG-21, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25, Su-20/22, Mirage F-1 and Super Etendards scoring many victories but also suffering many losses. However the exact combat record is not known with many different claims from Iraqi, Iranian and even Western and Russian sources. Adding to the haze surrounding the F-5's combat record is that many of the IRIAF's confirmed air-to-air kills were, for political reasons, attributed to the Revolutionary Guards. Nonetheless, there are reports that an F-5E, piloted by Major Yadollah Javadpour, managed to shoot down a MiG-25 on 6 August 1983.^[45][46] Additionally, his five claimed aerial victories, with two confirmed kills make Javadpour an ace and the world's most successful F-5 combat pilot.

From a general standpoint, during the first years of service, Iranian F-5 fighter aircraft had the advantage in missile technology, using advanced versions of the IR seeking Sidewinder, later lost with deliveries of new missiles and fighters to Iraq.^[47]

Iran currently produces an indigenous aircraft titled, "Saegeh", which is built on the same platform as the F-5, and probably armed with Russian-made or Chinese-made munitions such as AA-10 Alamo, AA-11 Archer or C-802.^{[citation needed]}

Ethiopia

Ethiopia received 10 F-5As and two F-5Bs from the US starting in 1966. In addition to these, Ethiopia had a training squadron equipped with at least eight Lockheed T-33 Shooting Stars. In 1970, Iran transferred at least three F-5As and Bs to Ethiopia. In 1975, another agreement was reached with the US to deliver a number of military aircraft, including 14 F-5Es and three F-5Fs; later in the same year eight F-5Es were transferred while the others were embargoed and delivered to a USAF aggressor Squadron due to the changed political situation. The US also withdrew its personnel and cut diplomatic relations. Ethiopian officers contracted a number of Israelis to maintain American equipment.^[48]

The Ethiopian F-5 fighters saw combat action against Somali forces during the Ogaden War (1977–1978). The main Somali fighter aircraft was the MiG-21MF delivered in the 1970s, supported by Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17s delivered in the 1960s by the Soviet Union. Ethiopian F-5E aircraft were used to gain air superiority because they could use the AIM-9B air to air missile, while the F-5As were kept for air interdiction and air strike. During this period Ethiopian F-5Es went on training against Ethiopian F-5As and F-86 Sabres (simulating Somali MiG-21s and MiG-17s).^[48]

On 17 July 1977, two Ethiopian F-5s were on combat air patrol near Harer, when four Somali MiG-21MFs were detected nearby. In the engagement, two MiG-21s were shot down while the other two had a midair collision while avoiding a AIM-9B missile. The better-trained Ethiopian Air Force F-5 pilots swiftly gained air superiority over the Somali Air Force, shooting down a number of aircraft, while other Somali aircraft were lost to air defense and to incidents. However at least three F-5s were shot down by air defense forces during attacks against supply bases in western Somalia.^[48]

Morocco

F-5As and F-5Bs took part in the Polisario War in Western Sahara in the 1980s. During the war, the Polisario Front was aided by East European, Cuban and Algerian advisers. They were armed with heavy weapons and even with sophisticated heavy SA-6 anti-aircraft systems. Some 14 F-5s were lost during combat. A total of 24 F-5Es have been upgraded to F-5TIII standard.^[49]

Saudi Arabia

During the Gulf War, Saudi F-5Es flew close air support and aerial interdiction missions against Iraqi units in Kuwait. One RSAF F-5E was lost to ground fire on 13 February 1991. The pilot was killed in action.^[50][51] In Saudi Arabian service, approximately 20 Tigers have been lost to various causes over the years.

Norway

The Royal Norwegian Air Force currently have 15 F-5As on the ground with three aircraft used only for test flights (weapon evaluation of Naval Strike Missile, 2003–2005). The aircraft are currently up for sale.^[52]

Philippines

The Philippines has decommissioned their remaining F-5A/B fleet that were transferred from Taiwan and South Korea, although six to eight F-5s remain in flyable condition in case of a national emergency, with two F-5s being an upgraded variant.^[53]

Singapore

Singapore is an important operator of the F-5E/F variant, first ordering the aircraft in 1976 during a massive expansion of the city-state's armed forces; delivery of this first batch of 18 F-5Es and three F-5Fs was completed by late February 1979, equipping the newly formed-up No. 144 Black Kite Squadron at Tengah Air Base. At the end of 1979, an order was placed for six more F-5Es, these were was delivered by 1981. In 1982, an order for three more F-5Fs was placed, these were forward delivered in September 1983 to RAF Leuchars in Scotland where they were taken over by pilots of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).^[19] In 1983, the type took over the duties of airborne interception from RAAF's Mirage IIIOs detachment stationed at Tengah.^[54]

Another order for six more F-5Es was placed in 1985, these were delivered the same year and would go on to equip the newly formed-up No. 149 Shikra Squadron at Tengah. The following year, the RSAF placed an order for its final batch of three F-5Fs and five F-5Es, these were delivered in December 1987 and July 1989, respectively. In a bid to modernise their air force, the Royal Jordanian Air Force put up seven F-5Es for sale in 1994, these were later acquired by Singapore.^[19]

An F-5S belonging to 144 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force prepares for takeoff

From 1990 to 1991, using jigs and toolings purchased from Northrop, Singapore Aircraft Industries (SAI, now ST Aerospace) converted 8 existing F-5Es into RF-5E Tigereye variant. Subsequently, these were used to requipped Hawker Hunter FR.74S for the newer Tigereyes in 1992 and was by then based at Paya Lebar Air Base, after the 144 Squadron had relocated there in 1986. By June 1993, all three squadrons had been relocated to the base, thus consolidating Singapore's F-5E/F operations at Paya Lebar.^[19]

In late 1991, SAI was further awarded a contract by RSAF to mordernise and upgrade all the F-5E/F in RSAF's inventory (including the 7 ex-Jordanian F-5Es), with main-sub contractor Elbit Systems responsible for systems integration. Included in the package was a new X band multi-mode radar (the Italian FIAR Grifo-F,^[18][20] with Beyond-visual-range missile and Look-down/shoot-down capabilities), a revamped cockpit with new MIL-STD-1553R databuses, GEC/Ferranti 4510 Head-up display/weapons delivery system, two BAE Systems MED-2067 Multi-function displays, Litton LN-93 inertial navigation system (similar to all those found on ST Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawks) and Hands On Throttle-And-Stick controls (HOTAS) to reduce pilot workload. Reportedly, the Elisra SPS2000 radar warning receiver and countermeasure system was also installed.^[55] Additionally, the starboard M-39 20mm cannon mounted in the nose was removed to make way for additional avionics (the sole cannon fitted to the two-seaters was removed because of this), and to improve maneuverability, all the upgraded aircraft were also fitted with larger leading edge root extensions (LERX). The process of rebuilding and upgrading began in March 1996 and was completed by 2001. As a result, they received the new designation of F-5S/T. In 1998, the eight RF-5Es were also upgraded, receiving the full upgrade except for the radar, these were later redesignated as RF-5S.^[19]

By end of 2009, the type had accumulated more than 170,000 hours of flight hours in Singapore service with only two F-5Es being lost in separate accidents (in 1984 and 1991, respectively).^[19] In a 2009 interview in the air force's newsletter, Singapore's former Chief of Air Force and F-5 pilot, Major General Ng Chee Khern commented that:

"The F-5 earned a reputation of a jet that was hard to discern in the air and when one finally saw it, it was often after a missile or guns kill had already been called.^[19]

As of June 2011, only 141 and 144 Squadron are left operating the RF-5S and F-5S/T, as 149 Squadron has since formally transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-15SG Strike Eagles on 5 April 2010.^[56]

Variants

Single-seat versions

RTAF F-5 and USAF F-15 in the background

A trio of USAF aggressor squadron F-5E in formation.

N-156F

Single-seat fighter prototype. Only three aircraft were built.

YF-5A

The three prototypes were given the US Air Force designation YF-5A.

F-5A

Single-seat fighter version of F-5, originally without radar, but was later equipped with AN/APQ-153 radar during upgrades.

F-5A (G)

Single-seat fighter version of the F-5A for the Royal Norwegian Air Force.

XF-5A

This designation was given to one aircraft used for static tests.

A-9

Designation of Spanish built F-5A which served in the Ejército del Aire

F-5C Skoshi Tiger

12 F-5A Freedom Fighters, were tested by the US Air Force for four and a half months in Vietnam.

F-5E Tiger II

Single-seat fighter version with AN/APQ-159 replacing earlier AN/APQ-153 in F-5A.

F-5E Tiger III

Upgraded version of the F-5E in use by the Chilean Air Force, with EL/M-2032 radar replacing the original AN/APQ-159.

F-5E/F

A single Swiss Air Force F-5E with F-5F Wings. Currently (2011), this aircraft is part of the Museum at Meiringen AFB

F-5G

The temporary designation given to the F-20 Tigershark, armed with General Electric AN/APG-67 radar.

F-5N

Ex-Swiss Air Force F-5Es used by the US Navy as "aggressor" aircraft, with AN/APG-69 replacing the original AN/APQ-159. Intended to replace high-time USN/USMC F-5Es in the adversary role, and see service through to 2015.^[4]

F-5S

Upgraded version of the F-5E in use by the Republic of Singapore Air Force, equipped with the Galileo Avionica's FIAR Grifo-F X-band radar and are capable of firing the AIM-120 AMRAAM.^[18][19][20]

F-5T Tigris

Upgraded version of the F-5E of Royal Thai Air Force by Israel, also armed with EL/M-2032.

F-5EM

Upgraded version of the F-5E of Brazilian Air Force armed with Italian Grifo-F radar.

F-5TIII

Upgraded version of the F-5E,in service with the Royal Moroccan Air Force.

Reconnaissance versions

RF-5A

Single-seat reconnaissance version of the F-5A fighter. Approximately 120 were built.^[57]

RF-5A (G)

Single-seat reconnaissance version of the F-5A fighter for the Royal Norwegian Air Force.

RF-5E Tigereye

Single-seat reconnaissance version of the F-5E fighter. The RF-5E Tigereye was exported to Saudi Arabia, Iran and Malaysia.

RF-5E Tigergazer

Seven upgraded single-seat reconnaissance version of the F-5E for Taiwan by ST Aerospace.^[19]

RF-5S Tigereye

Single-seat reconnaissance version of the F-5S for the Republic of Singapore Air Force.^[19]

AR-9

Spanish reconnaissance aircraft

Two-seat versions

Chilean F-5F Tiger II just after delivery in 1977

A Spanish F-5B M Freedom Fighter at Dijon Air Base.

A civilian F-5B (restored to include a U.S. Air Force paint scheme) flies a low pass down Runway 30 at the Mojave Spaceport

F-5-21

Temporarily designation given to the YF-5B.

YF-5B

One F-5B was fitted with a 5,000 lbf (2,268 kgf) General Electric J85-GE-21 engine, and used as a prototype for the F-5E Tiger II.

F-5B

Two-seat fighter version for the Republic of Korea Air Force, armed with AN/APQ-157 radar.

F-5B(G)

Two-seat trainer version of the F-5B for the Royal Norwegian Air Force.

F-5B M

Two-seat trainer version in use by the Spanish Air Force for air combat training.

F-5D

Unbuilt trainer version.

F-5F Tiger II

Two-seat trainer version of F-5E Tiger II, AN/APQ-167 radar tested, intended to replace AN/APQ-157, but not carried out.

F-5F Tiger III

Upgraded trainer version of the F-5F in use by the Chilean Air Force.

F-5T

Upgraded F-5F in use by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.^[19]

F-5FM

Upgraded trainer version of the F-5F for the Brazilian Air Force.

Foreign variants

A Canadian CF-116

Licensed versions

CF-5

Fighter versions for the Canadian Forces Air Command built under license by Canadair. Its Canadian designation is CF-116.

NF-5A

Single-seat fighter version of the CF-5A for the Royal Netherlands Air Force; 75 built.

NF-5B

Two-seat training version of the CF-5D for the Royal Netherlands Air force; 30 built.

SF-5A

Single-seat fighter version of the F-5A for the Spanish Air Force; built under licence in Spain by CASA.

SRF-5A

Single-seat reconnaissance version of the RF-5A for the Spanish Air force; built under license in Spain By CASA.

SF-5B

Two-seat training version of the F-5B for the Spanish Air Force. Built under license in Spain by CASA.

VF-5A

Single-seat version of the CF-5A for the Venezuelan Air Force. This designation was given to some Canadair CF-116s which were sold to the Venezuelan Air Force.

VF-5D

Two-seat training version of the CF-5D for the Venezuelan Air Force.

KF-5E

F-5E built in South Korea for Republic of Korea Air Force. First introduction: September, 1982; 48 built.

KF-5F

F-5F built in South Korea for Republic of Korea Air Force. First introduction: September, 1982; 20 built.

Chung Chen

F-5E/F built in Taiwan for Republic of China Air Force by AIDC. First introduction: October 30, 1974, one day before the late President Chiang Kai Shek's 88th birthday, and was thus christened "Chung Chen", an alias of President Chiang; 308 built.

Unlicensed versions

Imperial Iranian Air Force Golden Crown F-5E

Azarakhsh 

F-5E built in Iran with unknown modifications and a mid wing.^[58]

Sa'eqeh 

F-5E modified in Iran with canted, twin vertical stabilizers.

Derivatives

F-20 Tigershark

Main article: F-20 Tigershark

Northrop attempted to develop an advanced version of the F-5E, originally designated F-5G, as an export competitor for the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The F-5G was later redesignated the F-20 Tigershark. It received favorable reviews as a less expensive but capable alternative to early-block variants of the F-16 (and superior to the similarly never-purchased export variant F-16/79), but it never had the appeal of the much newer fighter design even at a lower cost.

Northrop YF-17

Main article: Northrop YF-17

The Northrop YF-17's aircraft's main design elements date from the F-5 based internal Northrop project N-300. The N-300 featured a longer fuselage, small leading-edge root extensions (LERX), and more powerful GE15-J1A1 turbojets. The wing was moved higher on the fuselage to increase ordnance flexibility. The N-300 further evolved into the P-530 Cobra. The P-530's wing planform and nose section was similar to the F-5, with a trapezoidal shape formed by a sweep of 20° at the quarter-chord line, and an unswept trailing edge, but was over double the area. While the YF-17 lost its bid for the USAF lightweight fighter, it would be developed into the larger McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.

Operators

Northrop F-5 Tiger operators (former operators in red)

Kenya Air Force F-5E Tiger II and an USAF C-5 Galaxy in the background

Mexican Air Force F-5 jets

 Bahrain

• Bahrain Air Force received eight F-5Es and two F-5Fs in between 1985 and 1987.^[59]

 Botswana

• Botswana Air Force purchased 10 upgraded CF-5As and 3 CF-5Ds from Canada in 1996.^[60] A further two CF-5Ds were purchased in 2000.^[61]

 Brazil

• Brazilian Air Force operates 57 custom upgraded F-5Es. To be retired in 2015.^[62]

 Chile

• Chilean Air Force: Chile purchased 15 F-Es and three F-5Fs in the 1970s, these being upgraded to Tigre III standard from 1993. In 1995, it supplemented its fleet with 10 F-5Es and two F-5Fs from Honduras.^[63] A total of 16 F-5Es were replaced in 2009 by 16 F-16 MLU T5s.^[64] A total of 10 F-5s remain operational as of 2009.^[65]

 Republic of China (Taiwan)

• Republic of China Air Force: Received 115 F-5A and B from 1965, 48 were transferred to South Vietnam before 1975. From 1973 to 1986, Taiwan produced 308 F-5E/Fs under license.^[17] Later batches of locally AIDC licensed production of Tiger IIs were fitted with flare/chaff dispensers, plus handling qualities upgrades with enlarged LEX and F-20's shark nose, and radar warning receivers(RWR).^{[36][39][40][66]}

 Honduras

• Honduran Air Force

 Indonesia

• Indonesian Air Force: All 16 F-5Es have been retired since late 2005 but are in reserve in case of future use.

 Iran

• Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force: 60 or 75 F-5E and F operational; 140 originally delivered
• Unknown numbers of HESA Saeqeh and HESA Azarakhsh fighters derived from the F-5 design

 Jordan

• Royal Jordanian Air Force

 Kenya

• Kenya Air Force: In July 2008, it was reported that Kenya will spend 1.5 billion KSh to buy 15 former Jordanian Air Force F-5s, 13 F-5E and two F-5F^[67] (plus training and spare parts). They will be added or eventually replace the current F-5 fleet^[68]

 Republic of Korea

• Republic of Korea Air Force received a total of 340 F-5s (88 F-5A, 30 F-5B, 8 RF-5A, 126 F-5E, 20 F-5F, 48 KF-5E, and 20 KF-5F).

 Mexico

• Mexican Air Force received 12 F-5s in 1982.^{[citation needed]} The service currently operates eight F-5Es and two F-5Fs.^[69]

 Morocco

• Royal Moroccan Air Force operates 33 F-5A/Bs including nine F-5E/Fs and 24 upgraded F-5TIIIs.^{[citation needed]}

 Malaysia

• Royal Malaysian Air Force

 Saudi Arabia

• Royal Saudi Air Force: 110 F-5E/Fs withdrawn from active service aside from in the trainer role, some squadrons such as #10 based in Taif will be replaced with Eurofighter Typhoon.

 Singapore

• Republic of Singapore Air Force: operates 32× F-5S, 9× F-5T and 8× RF-5S.^[19]

 Spain

• Spanish Air Force, operates 20 F-5Bs as trainers for fighter school.

 Sudan

• Sudanese Air Force: 10 F-5Es and two F-5F were delivered in 1978, One of the F-5Fs was sold to Jordan. further two F-5s defected to Sudan from Ethiopia during the Ogaden crisis.^[15]

Swiss Air Force F-5E Tiger II of the Patrouille Suisse aerobatics team arriving at RIAT 2008, England

 Switzerland

• Swiss Air Force: Operating 42 F-5E and 12 F-5F Tiger II.^[70]

 Thailand

• Royal Thai Air Force: F-5A retired. Now operates F-5B/E/F/T, F-5B/E slated for retirement in 2011-2012, to be replaced by 12-JAS 39 Gripen. The last F-5 fleet, upgraded F-5T Tigris and F-5F will continue to serve to 2015-2020.

 Tunisia

• Tunisian Air Force

NF-5B of the Turkish Stars aerobatic team.

 Turkey

• Turkish Air Force: More than 200 F-5A/Bs and NF-5A/Bs were bought from various countries. Between 40 and 50 of them were upgraded to F-5/2000 standard during the 2000s; Turkish Stars aerobatic team.^[71] In total, 50 NF-5A and 25 NF-5B remain operational.^[72]

 United States

• United States Marine Corps^[4]
• United States Navy^[4]

 Venezuela

• Venezuelan Air Force

 Yemen

• Yemen Air Force: North Yemen Air Force's 14 F-5E/F fleet were initially piloted by ROCAF/Taiwan pilots as part of 115th Squadron at Sana‘a, from April 1979 to May 1990, to boost its air defense.

Former operators

 Austria

• Austrian Air Force: On loan from Switzerland – all aircraft returned and replaced by Eurofighters

 Canada

• Canadian Forces – see Canadair CF-5

 Chile

• Chilean Air Force: Chile purchased 15 F-Es and 3 F-5Fs in the 1970s, these being upgraded to Tigre III standard from 1993. In 1995, it supplemented its fleet with 10 F-5Es and 2 F-5Fs from Honduras.^[63] 16 F-5Es were replaced in 2009 by 16 F-16 Fighting Falcon MLU T5.^[64] A total of 10 F-5s remain operational as of 2009.^[65]

 Ethiopia

• Ethiopian Air Force

 Greece

• Hellenic Air Force

 Libya

• Royal Libyan Air Force to 1969. 10 F-5s. May have been sold to Turkey after 1969.

 Netherlands

• Royal Netherlands Air Force

 Norway

• Royal Norwegian Air Force

 Philippines

• Philippine Air Force received 22 F-5A (single seat) and eight F-5B (two seater) aircraft in 1966. In 1988-89, the PAF received at least eight ex-Taiwanese F-5As. In 2001, five ex-South Korean F-5A/B were acquired. Although retired from service in 2006, two upgraded F-5Bs remain in flying condition.^[73]

 South Vietnam

• Vietnam Air Force received total of 24 F-5A Freedom Fighters, three F-5B trainers, and 12 F-5E Tiger IIs.

 United States

• United States Air Force

 Vietnam

• Vietnam People's Air Force (several captured ex-VNAF aircraft). One F-5E (s/n 73-00867) was transferred to the Soviet Union for evaluation flights, i.e. against the MiG-21bis; 40+ F-5E/F/C were in VNAF's service.^[74]

Evaluation only user

 Soviet Union

• F-5Es were received from Vietnam and the Derg regime in Ethiopia for performance tests and evaluation flights. They were tested in mock combat against MiG-21 and MiG-23 aircraft, ultimately aiding in the development of the MiG-23MLD and the MiG-29.^[75]

Specifications (F-5E Tiger II)

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 47 ft 4¾ in (14.45 m)
• Wingspan: 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m)
• Height: 13 ft 4½ in (4.08 m)
• Wing area: 186 ft² (17.28 m²)
• Airfoil: NACA 65A004.8 root, NACA 64A004.8 tip
• Empty weight: 9,558 lb (4,349 kg)
• Loaded weight: 15,745 lb (7,157 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 20,486 lb (9,312 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × General Electric J85-GE-21B turbojet
  • Dry thrust: 3,500 lbf (15.5 kN) each
  • Thrust with afterburner: 5,000 lbf (22.2 kN) each
• * Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0200
• Drag area: 3.4 ft² (0.32 m²)
• Aspect ratio: 3.86
• Internal fuel: 677 US gal (2,563 L)
• External fuel: 275 US gal (1,040 L) per tank in up to 3 tanks

Performance

• Maximum speed: 917 kn (1,060 mph, 1,700 km/h, Mach 1.6)
• Range: 760 nmi (870 mi, 1,405 km)
• Ferry range: 2,010 nmi (2,310 mi, 3,700 km^[76])
• Service ceiling: 51,800 ft (15,800 m)
• Rate of climb: 34,400 ft/min (175 m/s)
• Lift-to-drag ratio: 10.0

Armament

• Guns: 2× 20 mm (0.787 in) M39A2 Revolver cannons in the nose, 280 rounds/gun
• Hardpoints: 7 total (3× wet): 2× wing-tip AAM launch rails, 4× under-wing & 1× under-fuselage pylon stations holding up to 7,000 pounds (3,200 kg) of payload.
• Rockets:
  
  • 2× LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods (each with 19× /7× Hydra 70 mm rockets, respectively); or
  • 2× LAU-5003 rocket pods (each with 19× CRV7 70 mm rockets); or
  • 2× LAU-10 rocket pods (each with 4× Zuni 127 mm rockets); or
  • 2× Matra rocket pods (each with 18× SNEB 68 mm rockets)
• Missiles:
  
  • Air-to-air missile:
    • 4× AIM-9 Sidewinders or
    • 4× AIM-120 AMRAAMs
  • Air-to-surface missile:
    • 2× AGM-65 Mavericks
• Bombs: A variety of air-to-ground ordnance such as the Mark 80 series of unguided iron 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.
• Others: up to 3× 150/275 US gallon Sargent Fletcher drop tanks for ferry flight or extended range/loitering time.

Avionics

• Emerson Electric AN/APQ-153 radar on early batch of F-5E^[77]
• Emerson Electric AN/APQ-159 radar on later production F-5E^[77]
• AN/AVQ-27 Laser Target Designator Set (LTDS), for F-5B and F-5F only.^[78]

Popular culture

Prior to the scene of the famous line "I love the smell of napalm in the morning" in the 1979 classic film Apocalypse Now, four F-5 fighters were shown dropping napalm on a battlefield. These aircraft belonged to the Philippine Air Force, which provided not only the F-5s, but also the UH-1H helicopters for the film. The aircraft were portrayed as American in the film.^[79]

Top Gun (1986) features a number of F-5Es and F-5Fs in latex wash-off paint as the fictional MiG-28s that battle against US Navy Grumman F-14 Tomcats.

See also

	United States Navy portal
	Aviation portal

Related development

• Northrop T-38 Talon
• Canadair CF-5
• Grumman X-29
• HESA Saeqeh
• Northrop F-20 Tigershark
• Northrop YF-17
• SSBD Demonstrator
  

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Aeritalia G.91
• Mikoyan MiG-21
  

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of the United States
• List of fighter aircraft
  

References

Notes

1. ^ "Northrop F-5 Freedom Fight". National Museum of the United States Air Force. Retrieved: 31 May 2009.
2. ^ Johnsen 2006, p. 90.
3. ^ Knaack 1978, p. 290.
4. ^ ^{a b c d e} "F-5N/F Adversary aircraft fact file." US Navy. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.
5. ^ Braybrook 1982, pp. 111–114.
6. ^ Lake and Hewson 1996, pp. 50–51.
7. ^ Braybrook 1982, p. 114.
8. ^ Lake and Hewson 1996, p.51.
9. ^ Harding 1990, pp. 118–119, 122–123, 188–189.
10. ^ Lake and Hewson 1996, pp. 52–53.
11. ^ ^{a b} Lake and Hewson 1996, pp. 82–83.
12. ^ Lake and Hewson 1996, pp. 58–59, 70–71.
13. ^ Braybrook 1982, p. 116.
14. ^ Lake and Hewson 1996, pp. 71–72.
15. ^ ^{a b} Lake and Hewson 1996, p. 103.
16. ^ Lake and Hewson 1996, p.96.
17. ^ ^{a b} Lake and Hewson 1996, p. 104.
18. ^ ^{a b c} "Press release: Assets: Fighter aircraft." Ministry of Defence (Singapore), (MINDEF), 24 April 2010. Retrieved: 8 June 2011.
19. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} Yeo, Mike. "Tigers over Lion City." Air Forces Monthly (Key Publishing), Issue 275, March 2011, pp. 86–91. ISSN 09557091. Retrieved: 8 June 2011.
20. ^ ^{a b c} "Brazil favours Grifo F radar for F-5BR upgrade: "The air force has test flown the Singapore air force's upgraded version of the F-5S/T, fitted with the Grifo F radar." Flightglobal.com (Reed Business Information), 11 April 2000. Retrieved: 8 June 2011.
21. ^ "FAB buys Derby." DefesaNet. Retrieved: 11 September 2007.
22. ^ Lake and Hewson 1996, p. 53.
23. ^ Plunkett, W. Howard. "When the Thunderbirds Flew the Thunderchief." Air Power History, Air Force Historical Foundation, Clinton, Maryland, Fall 2009, Volume 56, Number 3, pp. 24–25.
24. ^ ^{a b} Thompson 1996, pp. 4–6.
25. ^ Thompson 1996, pp. 12, 14.
26. ^ Thompson 1996, p. 16.
27. ^ "Photo of a Northrop F-5E Tiger II in Kraków, Poland a gift of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam." muzeumlotnictwa.pl. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.
28. ^ Ted, Carlson. "One-Eleven Heaven" Air Forces Monthly (Key Publishing), Issue 283, October 2011, pp. 48. ISSN 09557091. Retrieved: 10 October 2011.
29. ^ "FAA Registry: Northrop F-5." FAA. Retrieved: 17 May 2011.
30. ^ "FAA Registry: Canadair F-5." FAA. Retrieved: 17 May 2011.
31. ^ " ROCAF F-5A/B Program in CINCPAC History Series (Part 1)." taiwanairpower.org, 21 February 2009. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
32. ^ "ROCAF F-5A/B Program in CINCPAC History Series (Part 2)." taiwanairpower.org, 28 February 2009. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
33. ^ " F-5A/B Freedom Fighter (Part 1)." taiwanairpower.org, 16 July 2006. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
34. ^ " F-5A/B Freedom Fighter (Part 2)." taiwanairpower.org, 22 July 2006. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
35. ^ "Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II." taiwanairpower.org, 13 April 2008. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
36. ^ ^{a b} Johnsen 2006, p. 35.
37. ^ "RF-5E Tigergazer." taiwanairpower, 12 June 2004. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
38. ^ " F-5E – a la Mirage." taiwanairpower.org, 8 August 2006. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
39. ^ ^{a b} "New Paint Scheme for F-5?" taiwanairpower.org 30 May 2006. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
40. ^ ^{a b} " Tiger 2000 Landed Forever." taiwanairpower.org 10 May 2008. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
41. ^ Hsu, Brian. "Unwanted fighter jet takes to the air in first test flight." taipeitimes.com The Taipei Times, 30 July 2002. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
42. ^ Jeziorski, Andrzej. "AIDC pins hopes on F-5 upgrade." flightglobal.com, 12 August 1999. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
43. ^ "Foreign Policy in Focus, Yemen, the United States, and Al-Qaida." fpif.org, 19 December 2001. Retrieved: 19 September 2009.
44. ^ "The first air force to receive F-5E was the Imperial Iranian Air Force." iiaf.net. Retrieved: 6 June 2010.
45. ^ IRIAF iiaf.net. Retrieved: 6 June 2010.
46. ^ "Arabian Peninsula & Persian Gulf Database: Iranian Air-to-Air Victories, 1982." acig.org, 16 September 2003. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.
47. ^ "Iraqi Air Force Equipment – Introduction." globalsecurity.org. Retrieved: 6 June 2010.
48. ^ ^{a b c} Cooper, Tom. "Ethiopia and Eritrea, 1950-1991." acig.org, 10 February 2008. Retrieved: 1 July 2011.
49. ^ "Morocco." century-of-flight.net, 2003. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.
50. ^ http://www.nahrain.com/d/news/00/08/24/cnn0824b.html
51. ^ http://www.rjlee.org/aaloss.html
52. ^ "Norway." milaviapress.com. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.
53. ^ Evangelista, Kate. "Philippine Air Force to buy 6 fighter jets." Globalnation via inquirer.net, 1 July 2011. Retrieved: 11 October 2011.
54. ^ Wilson 2002, p. 180.
55. ^ "Singapore F-5 upgrade to go ahead." FlightGlobal.com, 13 March 1996. Retrieved: 28 June 2011.
56. ^ Press release: Inauguration of the RSAF's First Local F-15SG Squadron." MINDEF, 5 April 2010. Retrieved: 8 June 2011.
57. ^ Johnsen 2006, p. 81.
58. ^ "Azarakhsh (Lightning)." GlobalSecurity.org Retrieved: 15 May 2010.
59. ^ Lake and Hewson 1996, p. 90.
60. ^ "Botswana buys CF-5s". Flight International, 19–25 June 1996, p. 22.
61. ^ Knott and Spearman 2003, p. 76.
62. ^ Lopes, Roberto and Maria Helena Passos. "Uma nova agenda militar" (in Portuguese).globo.com, 10 October 2008. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
63. ^ ^{a b} Lake and Hewson 1996, pp. 92–93.
64. ^ ^{a b} "Chile to increase F-16 fleet." milaviapress.com. Retrieved: 9 January 2010.
65. ^ ^{a b} Flight International 15–21 December 2009, p. 37.
66. ^ Lake and Hewson 1996, p. 77.
67. ^ "Kenyan military aviation." OrBat. Retrieved: 1 July 2011.
68. ^ "Air force (Kenya), Air force." janes.com. Retrieved: 1 July 2011.
69. ^ "Mexican military aviation." OrBat. Retrieved: 9 January 2010.
70. ^ de Ridder, Dirk Jan. Alpine Tigers face extinction, Air Forces Monthly magazine, February 2011 issue, pp. 76–81.
71. ^ "Turkish Air Force." scramble.nl. Retrieved: 9 January 2010.
72. ^ "Turkish military aviation OrBat." milaviapress.com. Retrieved: 8 November 2009.
73. ^ "Arms, Transparency and Security in South-East Asia." books.sipri.org, p. 113. Retrieved: 14 September 2009.
74. ^ Gordon 2008, pp. 403–410.
75. ^ Kondaurov, V. N. "Взлетная полоса длиною в жизнь." (in Russian) testpilot.ru. Retrieved: 30 June 2011.
76. ^ "Card 3." Recognition Study Cards – U.S. and Foreign Aircraft (Device 5E14H. LSN 6910-LL-C006462: 55 Cards). Orlando, Florida, USA: Naval Training Equipment Center, Department of the Navy, 1982.
77. ^ ^{a b} Designation-Systems.net: AN/APQ – Equipment Listing
78. ^ "AN/AVQ-27 LTDS". Jane's. Retrieved: 17 February 2011.
79. ^ "Apocalypse Now." The Outside Lomcovak Club. Retrieved: 22 August 2011.

Bibliography

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• Gordon, Yefim. Mikoyan Mig-21. Hersham, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-1-85780-257-3.
• Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.
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• Johnsen, Frederick A. Northrop F-5/F-20/T-38. North Branch, Minnesota, USA: Specialty Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58007-094-9.
• Knaack, Marcelle Size. Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems: Volume 1, Post-World War II Fighters, 1945-1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, 1978. ISBN 0-912799-59-5.
• Knott, Chris and Tim Spearman. "Photo Report:Botswana Defence Force". International Air Power Review, Volume 9, Summer 2003, pp. 76–79. Norwalk, Connecticut, USA: AIRtime Publishing. ISBN 1-880588-56-0. ISSN 1473-9917.
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External links

• USN Fact File on F-5N/F Adversary aircraft
• F-5 page at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
• F-5 Series Reference at Cybermodeler.com^{[dead link]}
• F-5E Marine Corps Adversary trainer exhibit aircraft, Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
• Taiwan Air Power F-5E/F Page