Next Aircraft in Timeline
Lightning F.1 →
Fighter
F-5 Freedom Fighter
Northrop · USA
First flying as the N-156, the F-5 was designed to be easy to maintain and operate. It was widely exported through the Military Assistance Program, serving dozens of nations. Its sleek design and agility also made it a famous "aggressor" aircraft for Top Gun training.
Technical Specifications
| First Flight | 1959 |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 1,700 km/h (Mach 1.6) |
| Range | 2,595 km |
| Ceiling | 15,800 m |
| Engines | 2x General Electric J85-GE-21B turbojets |
Armament & Payload
2x 20mm M39A2 cannons; up to 3,200 kg of rockets, missiles, and bombs.