Which Countries Still Use F-5? Which aircraft will be the successors of the F-5?
Since two-thirds of F-5 user countries also operate F-4, F-16, F/A-18, F-15 or Mirage aircraft, the role of the F-5 has shifted from a first-class fighter to a lead trainer.
The countries that still use the F-5 in its actual mission definition, i.e. as a light-armed attack or interceptor aircraft, are the USA (US Navy), the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Republic of Korea (S. Korea) and Iran. It can be noted that Turkey also uses F-5s only for acrotim purposes.
Taiwan plans to take F-5s out of service and convert them into UCAVs.
The US Marine Corps and the US Navy have taken over 22 Northrop F-5 Tiger II fighter jets decommissioned by the Swiss Air Force and will use them in aggressor roles.
South Korea currently operates around 80 F-5Es, which it plans to retire with the KF-21 and KT-50 by 2030.
History of the F-5:
The Northrop F-5 tactical fighter aircraft series, one of the most durable military aircraft designs ever offered to the western world, has served and still serves its users for more than 60 years. The first flight of the F-5 took place on 31 July 1963. Both the Northrop aircraft company and the F-5 aircraft were sources of pride and income for the American State of California at that time.
The F-5 is an agile, highly manoeuvrable, reliable supersonic fighter aircraft that combines advanced aerodynamic design, engine performance and low operating costs. More than 2,600 were built by Northrop Grumman under co-production and licence agreements with Canada, Republic of China (Taiwan), Republic of Korea (S. Korea), Spain and Switzerland.
From its first delivery in 1964 until its last delivery in 1989, this unique aircraft served in 26 countries, including the United States.
There are two main models of the F-5; the original F-5A/B Freedom Fighter (and variants) and the extensively upgraded and updated F-5E/F Tiger II (and variants). The latest F-5G (F-20A Tigershark) model was also developed, but was deemed a threat to the export potential of the F-16 and was virtually blocked by the US government, its progress was halted and Northrop was forced to terminate this project, which was likely to be in high demand, especially from an economic point of view (see Ref.-1 for more details).
With a particular focus on performance and low maintenance costs, the F-5 design team built a small and highly aerodynamic air combat aircraft around two compact, high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, meaning that the F-5's airframe and J-85 engines were virtually integrated.
Over Time, the Role of the F-5 Evolved from "First Class Fighter Aircraft to Leading Trainer/Advanced Jet Trainer"
Since two-thirds of F-5 user countries also operate F-4, F-16, F/A-18, F-15 or Mirage aircraft, the role of the F-5 has shifted from a first-class fighter to a lead trainer. Most F-5 operators have applied basic structural life extension programmes and avionics/subsystems upgrade packages to the F-5 to achieve an effective lead trainer with a modest investment.
So, to which aircraft will the F-5 pass its throne?
The F-5 has generally left its throne to aircraft with low maintenance and sustainment costs, especially the F-16. The last F-5s remaining in service will also follow this pattern.
The demand trend in recent years has been towards aircraft that can perform both advanced jet training aircraft and lightly armed attack missions. Especially the KAI T-50 and Lonardo M-346 have shown great success in this regard. Nowadays, TAI-designed HÜRJET has also become one of the important candidates in this concept.
The selection of HÜRJET among the successor candidates of the Spanish Air Force's F-5E and USAF NAVY's T-45 Goshawk (For detailed information, see Ref.- & Ref.-3) has opened a great opportunity for HÜRJET to prove itself in this arena.
References
1. Northrop F-20A Tigershark was the Right Aircraft at the Wrong Time
2. If our Export Champion Candidate HÜRJET wins the Spanish Tender; Romania, Argentina, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Portugal, Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, etc. Next?
3. HÜRJET; U.S. Navy's Light Armed Attack and Advanced Jet Trainer Aircraft Candidate
