Northrop F-5E Tiger II

Role: Single-seat light tactical fighter.

DESIGN FEATURES: Cantilever low-wing monoplane. Wing section NACA 65A004.8 (modified). No dihedral. No incidence. Sweepback at quarter-chord 24 degrees. Tailplane incidence varied by hydraulic actuators of Northrop design for control of rudder and tailplane.

STRUCTURE: Hydraulically retractable tricycle type, main units retracting inward into fuselage, nosewheel forward. Oleo-pneumatic shock absorbers of Northrop design in all units. Two-position extending nose unit increases static angle of attack by 3 degrees 22' to reduce T-O distance, and is shortened automatically during the retraction cycle. Gravity operated emergency extension.

LANDING GEAR: Hydraulically retractable tricycle type, with single wheel on each main unit and twin-wheel nose unit. Mainwheels retract forward into fuselage, nosewheels aft. Mainwheels and tyres size 28 x 9-12; nosewheels and tyres size 22 x 5.50. Nose gear launch bar for carrier catapulting. Sting-type arrester hook under rear fuselage for carrier landings, emergency landings or aborted take-offs. Anti-skid brake system.

POWER PLANT: Two General Electric J85-GE-21B turbojet engines, each rated at 22.24 kN (5000 lb st) with afterburning. Two independent fuel systems, one for each engine. Fuel for starboard engine supplied from two rubber impregnated nylon fabric bladder cells, comprising a centre fuselage cell of 803 litre (212 US gallon; 176 Imp gallon) capacity, and a rear fuselage cell of 640 litre (169 US gallon; 140 Imp gallon) capacity. Port engine supplied from a forward fuselage cell of 1120 litre (296 US gallon; 246 Imp gallon) capacity. Total internal fuel capacity 2563 litres (677 US gallons; 563 Imp gallons) in F-5E, 2555 litres (675 US gallons; 562 Imp gallons) in F-5F. No fuel is carried in the wings.

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only, in pressurised, heated and air-conditioned cockpit, on rocket powered ejection seat. Upward opening canopy, hinged at rear.

AVIONICS AND EQUIPMENT: AN/ARC-164 UHF command radio, 7000 channel with 24kHz spacing. Emerson Electric AN/APQ-159 lightweight micro-miniature pulse radar for the air-to-air search for target detection with range and angle tracking; target information, at a range of up to 20 nm (37 km; 23 miles), is displayed on a 0.13 m (5 in) Direct View Storage Tube (DVST) in cockpit. AN/ASG-31 lead computing optical sight; AN/ARA-50 UHF ADF; AN/AIC-25 intercom; AN/APX-101 IFF; AN/ARN-118 Tacan; attitude and heading reference system; angle of attack system; and central air data computer. Full blind-flying instrumentation. Optional avionics include Litton LN-33 inertial navigation system; AN/ARN-108 instrument landing system; CPU-129/A flight director computer; VHF; VOR/ILS with DME; LF ADF; CRT with scan converter for radar or electro-optical weapon (AGM-65 Maverick); AN/ALE-40 countermeasures dispenser system; and Itek AN/ALR-46 digital or analogue radar warning receiver.

ARMAMENT: Two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on wingtip launchers. Two M39A2 20 mm cannon in fuselage nose, with 280 rds/gun. Up to 3175 kg (7000 lb) of mixed ordnance can be carried on one underfuselage and four underwing stations, including M129 leaflet bombs; Mk 84 2000 lb bombs; Matra Durandal air-to-surface missiles; LAU-68 (7) 2.75 in rockets; LAU-3 (19) 2.75 in rockets; CBU-24, -49, -52 cluster bomb units; SUU bomb and rocket packs; SUU-25 flare dispensers; TDU-10 tow targets (DART); and RMU-10 reel (Dart). Lead computing optical gunsight uses inputs from airborne radar for air-to-air missiles and cannon, and provides a roll stabilised manually depressible reticle aiming reference for air-to-ground delivery. A 'snap-shoot' capability is included for attack on violently manoeuvring and fleeting targets. The gunsight incorporates also a detachable 16 mm reticle camera with 15 m (50 ft) film magazine. Optional ordnance capability includes the AGM-65 Maverick; centreline multiple ejector rack; and laser-guided bombs.

Aircraft Measures:
Length: 14.45 m (47 ft 4 3/4 in)
Height: 4.07 m (13 ft 4 1/4 in)
Wingspan: 8.13 m (26 ft 8 in)
Max Weight: 11,214 kg (24,722 lb)

Aircraft Performance:
Maximum Speed: 1092 knots
Service Ceiling: 15,790 m
Thrust: 10,000 lbs.

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