Northrop F-5 Tiger

The lightweight fighter built for affordability and export success.

USAF Northrop F-5E © National Museum of USAF

Overview

Northrop Grumman United States ICAO: F5 1962–1987 Active $25 million

The Northrop F-5 Tiger is a lightweight supersonic fighter developed for both U.S. and export markets. Designed to be simple, reliable, and cost-effective, it achieved widespread global adoption. The aircraft served in numerous air forces over several decades.

Live Fleet Activity (F5)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × General Electric J85-GE-21B turbojet
Engine type
Jet
Thrust
2 × 5,000 lbf · 22 kN
Avionics
Emerson Electric AN/APQ-153/157/159, AN/APG-69
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
1
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
47 ft 5 in  ·  14.45 m
Tail height
13 ft 4 in  ·  4.06 m
Fuselage diameter
3 ft 3 in  ·  1.00 m
Wing span
26 ft 8 in  ·  8.13 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
24,700 lb  ·  11,200 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
7,050 lb  ·  3,200 kg
Fuel capacity
700 gal · 2,600 L · 2,100 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
938 kt  ·  1,079 mph  ·  1,737 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
124 kt  ·  143 mph  ·  230 km/h
Range
2,010 nm  ·  2,310 mi  ·  3,720 km
Fuel burn
3.30 nm/gal  ·  1.61 km/L
Ceiling
51,800 ft  ·  15,800 m
Rate of climb
34,500 ft/min  ·  175 m/s
Takeoff distance
2,900 ft  ·  880 m
Landing distance
2,500 ft  ·  760 m
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Northrop F-5E Tiger II

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Operational Context

Northrop F-5 Tiger — lightweight supersonic fighter

The F-5 program began in the late 1950s as a privately funded initiative by Northrop. The aircraft first flew in 1959 and entered service in the early 1960s. It featured a compact airframe and twin-engine configuration optimized for ease of maintenance and operational simplicity.

Powered by two General Electric J85 turbojet engines producing approximately 5,000 pounds of thrust (22 kN) each with afterburner, the F-5 can exceed Mach 1.6. Maximum takeoff weight is about 24,000 pounds (10,890 kg). Armament includes cannon and various air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.

The F-5 achieved significant export success and was used in combat by multiple nations. Later variants improved avionics and performance. The aircraft remains in limited service and continues to be used as an aggressor trainer in some air forces.