Northrop F-5

The Northrop F-5 is a family of supersonic light fighters that Northrop Corporation first designed as a privately funded project in the late 1950s. The team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact General Electric J85 engines, aiming for performance and low maintenance cost, so it was smaller, simpler and cheaper to buy and run than the F-4 Phantom II and became a popular export aircraft. The first N-156F flew at Edwards Air Force Base on 30 July 1959 and passed the speed of sound on its first flight. There are two main models, the F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter, which entered service in the early 1960s, and the F-5E and F-5F Tiger II of 1972, about 1,400 of which were built. A reconnaissance RF-5 Tigereye followed, and over 400 aircraft were in service in 2021.