Northrop F-5

The Northrop F‑5 is a lightweight supersonic fighter that entered service in the early 1960s and quickly became one of the most widely exported jet aircraft of the Cold War era. Developed by Northrop Corporation as a cost‑effective alternative to larger fighters such as the F‑4 Phantom, the prototype YF‑5 first flew on 28 September 1959 and was certified for production the following year. The aircraft’s design emphasizes simplicity: a twin‑engine configuration using compact General Electric J85 turbojets, a low‑drag thin wing, and manual flight‑control systems that reduce maintenance burden. Powered by afterburning engines, the F‑5 can exceed Mach 1.6 and carries a modest yet versatile armament of 20 mm cannons, air‑to‑air missiles, and limited ground‑attack stores. Its compact size, high thrust‑to‑weight ratio, and relatively low operating cost made it attractive to dozens of allied and client nations, leading to over 2,500 units being built or licensed. The F‑5 also served as a testbed for the development of the advanced F‑16, and its trainer variant, the TF‑5, helped shape pilot training worldwide. Its enduring legacy lies in demonstrating that performance and affordability can coexist, influencing modern light‑fighter concepts.

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