| F-5A Freedom Fighter | |
|---|---|
| |
| Origin |  United States
|
| Role | Light fighter |
| Manufacturer | Northrop Corporation |
| Primary user |  United States Navy
|
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 47 ft 4¾ (14.45 m) |
| Wingspan | 26.8 ft (8.13 m) |
| Height | 13 ft 4½ (4.08 m) |
| Loaded weight | 15,745 lb (7,157 kg) |
| Performance | |
| Maximum speed | 1,060 mph (1,700 km/h) |
| Range | 870 mi (1,405 km) |
| Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. series information | |
| Appearances | H.A.W.X. |
The Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter is part of a supersonic light fighter family, initially designed in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation. Being smaller and simpler than contemporaries such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 cost less to both procure and operate, making it a popular export aircraft. The F-5 started life as a privately funded light fighter program by Northrop in the 1950s. The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact and high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and low cost of maintenance. Though primarily designed for the day air superiority role, the aircraft is also a capable ground-attack platform. The F-5A entered service in the early 1960s. During the Cold War, over 800 were produced through 1972 for U.S. allies. Though the USAF had no acknowledged need for a light fighter, it did procure roughly 1,200 Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, which were directly based on the F-5A.