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F-5 Freedom Fighter/Tiger

Northrop · Fighter / Attack · USA · Early Jet (1946–1969)

F-5 Freedom Fighter/Tiger — Fighter / Attack
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The Northrop F-5 (Freedom Fighter / Tiger II) is a U.S.-designed light, low-cost supersonic fighter built specifically for export to U.S. allies during the Cold War. Northrop built about 2,600 F-5s between 1962 and 1989 across multiple variants. The F-5 became the most-produced U.S. supersonic combat aircraft after the F-4 Phantom and the most-numerous fighter in service across the Cold War-era developing world. As of 2026 about 25 countries still operate F-5s, mostly in trainer or aggressor-squadron roles.

The F-5 was Northrop's response to a 1956 USAF specification for a low-cost lightweight fighter export. Designed by Welko Gasich and Edgar Schmued, the F-5A used two small General Electric J85-GE-13 afterburning turbojets (4,080 lbf each), a 24° swept wing, and modest avionics. Maximum speed Mach 1.4. Empty weight only 8,082 lb — about a third of contemporary F-4 Phantom mass. The combination of low purchase cost (about USD$2.1M in 1965), simple maintenance, and reasonable performance made the F-5 ideal for U.S. allies who could not afford F-4s but needed something better than re-exported World War II fighters.

F-5 export distribution covered the Cold War alliance system. Iran (under the Shah) bought 105 F-5As + F-5Bs and later 169 F-5E/F Tiger IIs — the largest single export buyer. Republic of China (Taiwan) operated about 280 F-5s, Republic of Korea 234, Saudi Arabia 142, Switzerland 110 (still in active service in 2026). Other major operators included Brazil, Greece, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Venezuela, and Yemen. South Vietnam operated F-5As 1965-1975; the type was also flown by the U.S. Navy's adversary squadrons ("aggressors") to simulate Soviet MiG-21 threats.

The F-5E Tiger II (1972) was the upgraded production variant — improved J85 engines, better radar, leading-edge wing extensions, manoeuvring flaps. F-5E production reached 1,400+ airframes. The F-5 also fathered the unarmed T-38 Talon trainer (still in active USAF + NASA service in 2026 — same airframe family). The F-5G evolved into the abortive F-20 Tigershark export programme in the early 1980s. Modern F-5 service includes Iranian-built indigenous variants (Saeqeh, Kowsar) and continued in-service use by Switzerland, Brazil, Iran, and several other smaller air forces.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Northrop F-5 is a small, fast jet fighter made in America. It was built to be affordable and easy to fly. Northrop made about 2,600 of them between 1962 and 1989. Many countries around the world bought the F-5 during the Cold War.

The F-5 was designed to be cheap and simple. One F-5 cost about two million dollars back in 1965. That made it much easier for smaller countries to buy. It was the most popular American fighter export of its time.

The F-5 uses two small jet engines to reach very fast speeds. It can fly at Mach 1, which is faster than the speed of sound. Its empty weight is smaller than many other fighters of its era. It weighed less than a third as much as the bigger F-4 Phantom.

The F-5 came in several versions over the years. The early version was called the Freedom Fighter. A later, improved version was called the Tiger II. Both versions were popular with many air forces around the world.

Even today, the F-5 is still flying. As of 2026, about 25 countries still use F-5s. Many of them use the jet for training new pilots. It has had a very long and successful life in the sky.

Fun Facts

  • The F-5 can fly faster than the speed of sound — reaching Mach 1.4!
  • About 2,600 F-5s were built over nearly 30 years.
  • The F-5 was smaller than a third of the weight of the bigger F-4 Phantom.
  • Around 25 countries were still flying F-5s as recently as 2026.
  • The F-5 was designed to be affordable so that smaller countries could buy it.
  • Two tiny jet engines power the F-5 into supersonic flight.
  • The F-5 was the most popular American supersonic fighter sold to other countries during the Cold War.
  • Some air forces use the F-5 to train pilots to fight against faster, newer jets.

Kids’ Questions

How fast can the F-5 fly?

The F-5 can fly at Mach 1.4, which is faster than the speed of sound. That means it travels faster than sound waves move through the air. It uses two small jet engines to reach that speed.

Why did so many countries want the F-5?

The F-5 was low-cost and easy to take care of. Many countries could not afford bigger, more expensive jets. The F-5 gave them a fast, capable fighter at a price they could manage.

Is the F-5 still used today?

Yes! About 25 countries were still flying F-5s in 2026. Many use them to train pilots or to practice fighting against newer jets. That is a very long life for any aircraft.

How many F-5s were ever built?

Northrop built about 2,600 F-5s in total. They were made from 1962 all the way to 1989. That makes the F-5 one of the most-built American jet fighters ever.

Variants

F-5A / F-5B Freedom Fighter
Original 1962 production variant. Two J85-GE-13 turbojets, simple radar, two AIM-9 Sidewinders + 20 mm cannons. About 1,000 built. F-5B is the two-seat trainer.
F-5E / F-5F Tiger II
Upgraded 1972 variant. J85-GE-21 turbojets, AN/APQ-159 radar, leading-edge wing extensions, manoeuvring flaps. 1,400+ built. F-5F is the two-seat trainer.
RF-5E Tigereye
Tactical reconnaissance variant. Camera package in modified nose; otherwise standard F-5E. About 50 built for Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and other export users.
Northrop T-38 Talon (related family)
Two-seat unarmed supersonic trainer derived from the F-5 airframe. 1,146 built; still in U.S. Air Force and NASA service in 2026. See dedicated stub for the T-38 Talon.

Notable Operators

Iran (Imperial / Islamic Republic)
Largest single buyer. 105 F-5A/B + 169 F-5E/F Tiger II purchased under the Shah 1965-1975. Iran continues to operate F-5s in 2026, plus Iranian-built indigenous variants (Saeqeh, Kowsar).
Republic of China (Taiwan)
About 280 F-5A/B/E/F operated by ROCAF 1965-2010s. Replaced by indigenous F-CK-1 Ching-kuo and U.S. F-16s. A handful retained for adversary training.
Republic of Korea
234 F-5A/B/E/F operated by ROKAF 1965-2020s. Most retired or transferred to museum / static display.
Other major export operators
Saudi Arabia (142), Switzerland (110, still active in 2026), Brazil (66), Greece (80), Spain (70), Norway (108), Chile, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Venezuela, Yemen — combined export fleet over 1,500 airframes.
U.S. Navy / U.S. Marine Corps (adversary squadrons)
Operated F-5E/F as 'red air' adversary aircraft simulating Soviet MiG-21 threats for fighter training. About 60 airframes. Continues in 2026 under the U.S. Navy's adversary tactics doctrine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the F-5 designed?

To give U.S. Cold War allies a low-cost supersonic fighter they could afford. The 1956 USAF specification required a fighter at about 30% the F-4 Phantom's purchase price, simple to maintain, and capable of basic air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Northrop's F-5 won the competition over Lockheed and Republic and went on to be exported to ~30 countries.

How many F-5s were built?

About 2,600 F-5s of all variants between 1962 and 1989: ~1,000 F-5A/B Freedom Fighter + 1,400+ F-5E/F Tiger II + ~200 other variants. Plus 1,146 T-38 Talon trainers (related airframe family). The F-5 line was the most-produced U.S. fighter export programme of the Cold War.

How is the F-5 different from the F-20 Tigershark?

The F-20 Tigershark (1982) was Northrop's planned F-5 successor: single-engine F404 (vs. F-5's twin J85), improved radar, modern avionics. Northrop built 3 prototypes and tried to sell the F-20 to U.S. allies, but Reagan-era U.S. policy permitted F-16 exports to most former F-5 customers, killing the F-20 market. Production never started; the programme cancelled in 1986.

Is the F-5 still flying in 2026?

Yes — about 25 countries still operate F-5s in front-line, trainer, or adversary roles. Switzerland, Iran, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia retain the largest active fleets. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps continue to fly F-5E/F as 'red air' adversary aircraft simulating Soviet MiG-21 threats.

How is the F-5 different from the T-38 Talon?

The T-38 Talon is the unarmed two-seat trainer variant of the same airframe family. F-5 is the combat-capable version (radar, weapons hardpoints, single-seat or two-seat). T-38 Talon is the trainer (no radar, no weapons, two-seat tandem). Combined production: 1,146 T-38s + 2,600 F-5s.

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