Northrop F-5E Tiger II

Summary

Category	Combat aircraft
Origin country	🇺🇸 United States
First flight	11 August 1972
Year of introduction	1976
Number produced	1399 units
Average unit price	$3 million

Description

The F-5E Tiger II is an American light fighter jet developed by Northrop Corporation, now part of Northrop Grumman. It's an upgraded version of the earlier F-5A/B Freedom Fighter. The F-5E was introduced in 1972, during the Cold War era, as a cost-effective, easy-to-maintain alternative to more expensive fighters. It was aimed at U.S. allies and was extensively exported, with almost 1400 built. The aircraft gained traction for its operational simplicity, agility, and relatively low operating costs. It was designed to fulfill various roles including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance.

The development of the F-5E Tiger II was rooted in Northrop's quest to create an agile, lightweight, and inexpensive fighter jet that could be easily exported to U.S. allies. The F-5E was an evolution of the original F-5A/B Freedom Fighter design, incorporating a range of improvements to enhance its combat capabilities. The most significant modification was the inclusion of more powerful J85-GE-21 engines, providing increased thrust and better overall performance.

The aircraft featured a twin-engine, single-seat configuration with a sleek, aerodynamic design. Its small size and lightweight structure were crucial in achieving the agility and high maneuverability for which the plane became known. In terms of avionics and weaponry, the F-5E was less sophisticated than some contemporary fighters like the F-15 and F-16, but it was nonetheless capable. It featured radar systems for air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting, a lead-computing optical sight, and provisions for an array of ordnance including missiles, rockets, and bombs.

One unique aspect of the F-5E’s design was its modular construction, which allowed for easier maintenance and repair. Components could be easily swapped out, contributing to the aircraft's low operational and maintenance costs. This feature was particularly appealing to countries that did not have highly developed aviation maintenance infrastructure.

The F-5E Tiger II became one of the most widely exported fighter jets of its time, serving in over 30 countries, and remains in use today in several air forces around the world.

Armament

The F-5E Tiger II was designed to be a multi-role fighter, capable of carrying various types of ordnance for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The aircraft is equipped with two 20mm M39A2 Revolver cannons, one in each wing root, and has the capacity for up to 7,000 pounds of external ordnance.

For air-to-air combat, the F-5E can carry AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on its wingtip rails and has provisions for other types of short-range air-to-air missiles. It's worth noting that the aircraft's radar and fire-control systems are less advanced compared to more modern fighter jets, but they are sufficient for the engagement ranges at which the F-5E typically operates.

In terms of air-to-ground capabilities, the F-5E can carry a variety of munitions, including unguided rockets, iron bombs, and cluster bombs. It can also be equipped with laser-guided bombs, although this requires additional targeting pods for laser designation. Some variants have been adapted to carry AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles and other specialized munitions, broadening its capabilities for ground attack missions.

Operational history

The F-5E Tiger II has a diverse and extensive operational history, having served in the air forces of over 30 countries since its introduction in 1972. One of its earliest deployments was with the U.S. Air Force's "Aggressor" squadrons, which used the aircraft to mimic enemy fighter tactics for training purposes. This was in part because the F-5E's performance characteristics were somewhat similar to those of Soviet-designed jets like the MiG-21.

The aircraft saw combat in a number of conflicts around the world. Notably, it was used by the South Vietnamese Air Force during the final stages of the Vietnam War. Later, it saw action in various Middle Eastern conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq War, where both sides operated F-5Es. The aircraft has also been used in the conflicts in Yemen and Ethiopia, among others.

While the F-5E didn't serve extensively with the U.S. in frontline roles, it found a niche in adversary training and in foreign military sales. The aircraft was particularly popular among U.S. allies with smaller defense budgets, thanks to its relatively low cost, easy maintenance, and versatile capabilities.

Variants

The F-5E Tiger II has several variants. Here are some of the main ones:

F-5E: The base model, introduced in 1972, featuring J85-GE-21 engines, improved radar, and the capacity for a greater range of weapons compared to its predecessors, the F-5A/B.
F-5F: This is a two-seat version intended primarily for training but fully combat-capable. It has the same armament options as the F-5E and is often used for conversion training for pilots transitioning to the single-seat version.
F-5G (F-20 Tigershark): Although not officially an F-5E variant, the F-20 Tigershark was developed as an advanced version of the F-5E with a single F404 engine, modern avionics, and greater weapons-carrying capability. The project was ultimately not adopted widely and was cancelled.
F-5EM: A Brazilian Air Force-specific modernized version featuring updated avionics, a new radar, and compatibility with modern munitions.
F-5E/F Tiger III: This is an upgraded version used primarily by the Chilean and Swiss Air Forces, featuring enhanced avionics, radar, and weapons systems to extend the aircraft's operational life.
RF-5E Tigereye: This is a reconnaissance variant equipped with cameras and sensors for aerial survey missions but retaining some combat capability.

Technical specifications

Version: F-5E Tiger II
Crew	1 pilot
Maximum speed	1700 km/h (1056 mph)
Wing area	17.3 m² (186.0 sqft)
Wingspan	8.1 m (26.7 ft)
Height	4.1 m (13.4 ft)
Length	14.5 m (47.4 ft)
Service ceiling	15789 m (51801 ft)
Empty weight	4349 kg (9588 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	11187 kg (24663 lbs)
Climb rate	175.0 m/s (574.1 ft/s)
Powerplant	2 × turbojets General Electric J85-GE-21B delivering 1588 kgp, up to 2268 kgp with afterburner
Ejection seat	Northrop M-38