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Northrop F-5
Photo: Peng Chen · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
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NorthropF-5

Air Superiority Fighters · United States · 1962
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NorthropF-5

Northrop F-5
Northrop F-5 Photo: Peng Chen · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Air-to-Air Lethality
60
Agility
85
Speed
65
Radar & Avionics
40
Range
55
Stealth
0
Survivability
70
Reliability
90
Technology
50
Cost-Effectiveness
95
Origin United States
ManufacturerNorthrop
CategoryAir Superiority Fighters
EraEarly Cold War
In service1962–1987
Operators33 countries
Quantity1,204
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
58
Air Superiority Fighters MASS Rating
14/89
Early Cold War
92/832
All-Time
Air Superiority Fighters · 10 axes scored
Air-to-Air Lethality
60
Agility
85
Speed
65
Radar & Avionics
40
Range
55
Stealth
0
Survivability
70
Reliability
90
Technology
50
Cost-Effectiveness
95
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
Northrop F-5
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)
—
58
air superiority fighters category
ⓘ 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
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built1,204
  • Operators30
  • Variants5
▲Service History3MOD.3
  • Production Start1959
  • Production End1987
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1962Production started
  3. 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
Northrop F-5 1962
// DERIVATIVES
05 / Operators
📖 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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Air Superiority Fighters entry →