Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
Northrop F-5
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1962–1987
Quantity
1,204
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
14
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the air superiority fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1959
- Service Entry Year1964
- Crew1
- Primary Rolelight fighter
- Generationthird generation
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine TypeGeneral Electric J85-GE-21
- Engine ModelGeneral Electric J85
- Number of Engines2
- Thrust (dry, each)9
- Thrust (afterburner, each)14
- Thrust-to-Weight1
- AfterburnerYes
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel1,500 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed1,700 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)1.6 Mach
- Cruise Speed900 km/h
- Stall Speed229.628 km/h
- Service Ceiling15,788.64 m
- Ferry Range890.812 km
- Combat Radius800 km
- Rate of Climb175.26 m/s
- G-Limit7.5
- Takeoff Run500 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length14.63 m
- Wingspan8.2 m
- Height3.962 m
- Wing Area18.5
- Empty Weight4,346.849 kg
- Loaded Weight5,800 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight11,192.58 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints7
- Weapons Payload2,500 kg
- Internal Gun1× 20 mm M39 cannon
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Nuclear CapableYes
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarAN/APQ-153 / AN/APQ-159
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTNo
- Electronic Warfare SuiteNo
- Helmet-Mounted SightNo
- Tactical DatalinkNo
- Targeting PodNo
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built1,204
- Operators30
- Variants5
▲Service History3MOD.3
- Production Start1959
- Production End1987
- Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1962Production started
- 1987Production ended
64
years in service
25
years in production
1,204
units produced
32
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
05 / Operators
Operator Countries33country
06 / MASS Score
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS RANKING Air Superiority Fighters · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
92AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS14EARLY COLD WAR · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS1413UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS15PERFORMANCE/PRICE · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theAir Superiority Fighterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources