Climb aboard an aerial adventure with the F-5B Fighter right here in Seoul. This supersonic light fighter tells a tale of innovation. It also tells a tale of global reach.
The Northrop F-5’s story began as a private project in the late 1950s. The Northrop Corporation designed it. The goal was simple. Create a high-performance fighter with low maintenance costs.
Two main models emerged. There was the original F-5A. Then there was the F-5B Freedom Fighter variants. Later came the extensively updated F-5E and F-5F Tiger II variants. The design team focused on wrapping a small airframe around two powerful General Electric J85 engines.
Smaller and less complex than contemporaries like the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II the F-5 was cheaper to operate. This made it a popular choice for export. It could perform air superiority and ground-attack roles. The F-5A entered service in the early 1960s. Over 800 were produced for US allies by 1972.
The United States Air Force needed trainers. So it procured about 1200 Northrop T-38 Talon aircraft. These trainers were based on the N-156 fighter design.
In 1972, Northrop introduced the second-generation F-5E Tiger II. This followed winning the International Fighter Aircraft Competition. The F-5E boasted more powerful engines. It also had a larger fuel capacity. Other additions included increased wing area and improved avionics including air-to-air radar. The F-5E primarily served American allies. It supported training exercises. It served in both air and ground attack roles during the Vietnam War.
By 1987, 1400 Tiger IIs were built. Over 3800 F-5s and T-38 trainers came from Hawthorne California. The F-5N and F variants served with the US Navy and Marine Corps as adversary trainers. Over 400 aircraft were in service by 2021.
The F-5 became the RF-5 Tigereye a dedicated reconnaissance aircraft. Design studies based on the F-5 led to the Northrop YF-17 and F/A-18 naval fighter aircraft. An advanced variant the Northrop F-20 Tigershark was canceled due to lack of export customers.
Edgar Schmued led the design. He was Northrop’s vice president of engineering and aircraft design. He previously designed the North American P-51 Mustang and F-86 Sabre fighters.
In 1953, NATO sought a lightweight tactical fighter. It needed to carry conventional and nuclear weapons. It also needed to operate from rough airfields. Schmued aimed to reverse the trend toward larger fighters. He wanted high performance and maneuverability. Cost was a factor too. He also wanted potential for growth.
The General Electric J85 turbojet engine helped firm up the design in 1955. It offered a high thrust-to-weight ratio. The team considered various designs using two J85s.
The US Navy wanted a fighter for escort carriers. Northrop proposed a redesign. The engines were placed against the fuselage. But the Navy withdrew the escort carriers. Northrop continued developing the N-156 as a trainer and fighter.
Chief engineer Welko Gasich insisted the engines be inside the fuselage. The final design emerged in December 1956. Gasich also promoted the concept of “life cycle cost”. This ensured low operating costs and long service life.
The F-5 earned a reputation for being difficult to spot in the air. Singapore’s former Chief of Air Force Major General Ng Chee Khern noted its deadly effectiveness.
The USAF chose the N-156T to replace the T-33 in 1956. The first prototype flew in 1959. Production ended in 1972 with 1189 Talons built. The N-156F continued as a private venture.
Testing proved the N-156F’s reliability. It surpassed the USAF’s F-100 Super Sabres in ground attack. The Army tested it in 1961 for reconnaissance and close support.
In 1962, the Kennedy Administration revived the low-cost export fighter concept. The N-156F won the F-X competition. It became the F-5A. Production began that year. Northrop built 624 F-5As and 200 F-5B trainers. Canadair and CASA also built F-5s under license. Norway placed the first international order in 1964.
The F-5B Fighter stands as a testament to engineering. It represents global cooperation. It reminds us that even small fighters can have a big impact.