The F-5 is a lightweight, supersonic fighter developed for the Military Assistance Program (MAP) in 1962 for America's NATO and SEATO allies.

 

The F-5 was not used by the US Air Force, since it did not need a lightweight fighter (it was only intended for the MAP) but in October 1965 the USAF borrowed twelve combat-ready F-5s from MAP supplies and sent them to Vietnam.

 

 

The F-5 is very easy to maintain and can operate from short runways. Recent estimates show that the F-5 can be operated at one third of the cost of an F/A-18 Hornet.

 

The US Air Force does not currently use the F-5, but it does use the trainer version - the T-38 Talon.

 

 

Powerplant: Two General Electric J85-GE-21A turbojets

Maximum speed: Mach 0.98 (without afterburning)

Ceiling: 51,800 feet

Range: 1,540 miles

Length: 48 feet, 2 inches

Height: 13 feet, 4 inches

Wingspan: 26 feet, 8 inches

Maximum take-off weight: 24,675 pounds

Armament: Two 20mm M39A2 cannons, two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles at wingtips, five pylons can carry up to 7,000 pounds or ordnance or fuel