Northrop F-5

what is it?

The Northrop F-5 is a family of supersonic light fighter aircraft initially designed as a privately funded project in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation. There are two main models: the original F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter variants, and the extensively updated F-5E and F-5F Tiger II variants. The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and a low cost of maintenance.

🔎How to recognise it: 2 jet engines · low wing · retractable tricycle gear · 8.1 m wingspan

base stats

• range 891 kmwithout refuelling
• size 11.2 tmax take-off weight
• built 1,204made in total

Bars compare against all aircraft: 3,500 km/h, 20,000 km, 850 seats; size and number built on a log scale up to 640 t (An-225) and 45,000 built (Cessna 172).

fun facts

• 🎂First flew 67 years ago, in 1959.
• 🏔️Can fly 1.8× higher than Mount Everest (8,849 m).

jet: Gas turbine pushing air out the back (turbofan or turbojet): fast and high-flying.

spec sheet

first flight

1959-07-30

introduced

1962

status

still flying

number built

1,204

role

light fighter

origin

🇺🇸 United States

makers

Northrop

engines

2× General Electric J85-GE-21 / J85

crew

1

length

14.7 m

wingspan

8.1 m

height

4.1 m

max take-off weight

11.2 t

top speed

—

range

891 km

ceiling

15,789 m

wings

low wing

landing gear

retractable tricycle gear

Specs are for the version in the Wikipedia article's specification section. Blank means the sources don't say.

family