5A - War Thunder Wiki (2024)

This page is about the American jet fighter F-5A. For other versions, see F-5 (Family).

F-5A

5A - War Thunder Wiki (1)

F-5A

USA

VII Rank

Battle rating:

ABRBSB
10.010.310.3

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Show in game

MARKET

Contents

  • 1 Description
  • 2 General info
    • 2.1 Flight performance
      • 2.1.1 Details
      • 2.1.2 Engine performance
    • 2.2 Survivability and armour
    • 2.3 Modifications and economy
  • 3 Armaments
    • 3.1 Offensive armament
    • 3.2 Suspended armament
  • 4 Usage in battles
    • 4.1 Pros and cons
  • 5 History
    • 5.1 Design and development
    • 5.2 Operational service
  • 6 Media
  • 7 See also
  • 8 External links
    • 8.1 References

Description

The F-5’s roots begin way back in the mid-1950s. After a tour around Europe and Asia, Northrop’s team saw the need for a supersonic fighter that was cheap and easy to maintain. In 1955, the N-156 was formally brought into fruition and work began. It ultimately evolved into the N-156F and although the Navy and Air Force weren’t interested in it, Northrop pursued the idea. Several years later in 1962, the DoD formally announced that the N-156F would be its chosen aircraft for the Military Assistance Program (MAP). This led to the F-5A serving with U.S. forces as a cheap and easy-to-maintain fighter and ultimately being one of the best export-type fighters ever built.

Introduced in Update "Direct Hit" as a reward for the 2021 Export Order event, the F-5A Freedom Fighter is a very strong fighter. It has favorable flight characteristics and excels in dogfighting thanks to its light and small airframe. The F-5A also has 60 countermeasures which are very important at its battle rating for survival. Although the F-5A can only carry two AIM-9Es, the guns are excellent and enemy planes can easily be taken down with a short burst. The F-5A also has an extensive list of bombs and rockets although players should stick to attacking enemy fighters where the F-5A excels at. Nonetheless, players will be satisfied with the F-5A’s overall performance and capability.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Drogue parachute

Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway

Max speed

at 10 668 m1 444 km/h

Turn time27 s

Max altitude15 240 m

Engine2 х General Electric J85-GE-13

TypeJet

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight24 t

The F-5A has very good flight performance. It turns quite well at around 700 km/h (437.5 mph) and is overall a great dogfighter. Although the engines are weak compared to other fighters, the F-5A can still reach a respectable top speed of 1,443 km/h (~902 mph). However, it does take a while to reach that speed so the F-5A isn’t very suited to running down enemy planes or outrunning them. At lower speeds, the F-5A is still quite good but it’s ill-advised to be slow with enemy planes nearby. The F-5A’s acceleration is also less than stellar which is another reason to stay relatively fast unless absolutely necessary.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 10,668 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 1,429 1,421 15240 27.1 28.2 112.4 99.2 850
Upgraded 1,460 1,443 26.9 27.0 159.1 133.6

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Drogue chute
X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
1458 444 926 560 555 ~11 ~5
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 680 < 750 < 700 N/A

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Basic mass Wing loading (full fuel)
General Electric J85-GE-13 2 4,051 kg 365 kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load) Max Takeoff
Weight
Weight (each) Type 11m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 37m fuel
271 kg Afterburning axial-flow turbojet 4,580 kg 4,992 kg 5,462 kg 5,814 kg 9,000 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition 100% WEP 11m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 37m fuel MTOW
Stationary 960 kgf 1,426 kgf 0.62 0.57 0.52 0.49 0.32
Optimal 1,200 kgf
(1,400 km/h)
2,459 kgf
(1,400 km/h)
1.07 0.99 0.90 0.85 0.55

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff

Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural1 458 km/h

Gear444 km/h

The F-5A has neither armour plates nor bulletproof glass and the fuel tanks are self-sealing.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 169 → 4 281

RB10 039 → 13 562

SB9 243 → 12 487

Total cost of modifications226 500

353 000

Talisman cost2 800

Crew training200 000

Experts710 000

Aces2 800

Research Aces1 080 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

130 / 340 / 600%

232 / 232 / 232%

Modifications

Flight performanceSurvivabilityWeaponry

5A - War Thunder Wiki (17)

Fuselage repair

Research:

9 100

Cost:

14 000

340

5A - War Thunder Wiki (21)

Compressor

Research:

9 100

Cost:

14 000

340

5A - War Thunder Wiki (25)

New boosters

Research:

10 000

Cost:

16 000

380

5A - War Thunder Wiki (29)

Wings repair

Research:

14 000

Cost:

22 000

530

5A - War Thunder Wiki (33)

Engine

Research:

14 000

Cost:

22 000

530

5A - War Thunder Wiki (37)

G-suit

Research:

15 000

Cost:

23 000

560

5A - War Thunder Wiki (41)

Airframe

Research:

10 000

Cost:

16 000

380

5A - War Thunder Wiki (45)

Cover

Research:

15 000

Cost:

23 000

560

5A - War Thunder Wiki (49)

Flares/Chaff

Research:

9 100

Cost:

14 000

340

5A - War Thunder Wiki (53)

Mk82

Research:

9 100

Cost:

14 000

340

5A - War Thunder Wiki (57)

5A - War Thunder Wiki (58)

BLU-1

Research:

9 100

Cost:

14 000

340

5A - War Thunder Wiki (62)

t_160_belt_pack

Research:

10 000

Cost:

16 000

380

5A - War Thunder Wiki (66)

5A - War Thunder Wiki (67)

M117

Research:

10 000

Cost:

16 000

380

5A - War Thunder Wiki (71)

5A - War Thunder Wiki (72)

LAU-3/A

Research:

10 000

Cost:

16 000

380

5A - War Thunder Wiki (76)

5A - War Thunder Wiki (77)

Mk83

Research:

14 000

Cost:

22 000

530

5A - War Thunder Wiki (81)

5A - War Thunder Wiki (82)

LAU-10/A

Research:

14 000

Cost:

22 000

530

5A - War Thunder Wiki (86)

5A - War Thunder Wiki (87)

t_160_new_gun

Research:

15 000

Cost:

23 000

560

5A - War Thunder Wiki (91)

Mk84

Research:

15 000

Cost:

23 000

560

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AGM-12B Bullpup

Research:

15 000

Cost:

23 000

560

Armaments

Offensive armament

Main article: M39A2 (20 mm)

The F-5A is armed with:

  • A choice between two presets:
    • 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannons, nose-mounted (280 rpg = 560 total)
    • 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannons + 60 x countermeasures

Suspended armament

The F-5A can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs 6 6 6
500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs 1 1 1 1 1
500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs 1 1 1 1 1
750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs 1 1 1 1 1
1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs 1 1 1
2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs 1
BLU-1 incendiary bombs 1 1 1 1 1
FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets 19 19 19 19
Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets 4 4
AGM-12B Bullpup missiles 1 1 1 1
AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles 1 1
Default weapon presets
  • Without load
  • 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
  • 18 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (4,500 lb total)
  • 5 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,500 lb total)
  • 5 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (2,500 lb total)
  • 5 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (3,750 lb total)
  • 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
  • 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
  • 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
  • 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
  • 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
  • 5 x BLU-1 incendiary bombs

Usage in battles

As the F-5A does not have any radar-guided missiles (AIM-7s or equivalent), and it's not particularly fast, it is recommended to stay low and try to avoid the first clash between teams by flying to the side. When flying into the aforementioned engagement zone, pick out single fights or distracted enemies. The AIM-9E is not a reliable weapon and is easy to dodge, so try not to take missile shots from the sides or at a heavily manoeuvring opponent. When the opportunity to dogfight arises, take it only when you're sure other enemies are either distanced or far enough away from your position to not interrupt your fight and pick you off. When in a dogfight, you are almost always superior in manoeuvrability when compared to your opponent. MiG-21s or the J35s will be better in the first turn, but they bleed a lot of speed due to their delta wing design. Avoid their guns in the first turn, and use yours to take them out. While you have only 2 guns, they have a high muzzle velocity, making them easy to aim. The only downside with the cannons is their damage potential: you need to put several rounds on a target to destroy it.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent manoeuvrability
  • Great amount of countermeasures
  • Easy to aim cannons
  • Access to relatively powerful ground ordnance (enough to destroy a base in air battles)

Cons:

  • Relatively low top speed
  • No radar of any kind
  • Poor acceleration below Mach 1
  • Mediocre energy retention

History

The F-5A Freedom Fighter is a light fighter designed by Northrop in the 1950s. Designed as a private export venture, the aircraft was designed in both fighter and trainer variants (N-156F and N-156T). The F-5A entered service in the 1960s and was widely exported under the US's Military Assistance Program to developing countries. The F-5A would later be developed into the more advanced F-5E, and later on, serve as the basis of the YF-17 / F/A-18.

Design and development

The first Northrop YF-5A prototype.

Design work for the F-5 began in the early 1950s under the leadership of Northrop's VP of engineering Edgar Schmued, who was well-known for his work in designing the P-51 Mustang and F-86 Sabre with North American Aviation. By 1955, the design team had selected the General Electric J85 engine as the powerplant. That year, the US Navy issued a requirement for a light jet fighter to operate off its escort carriers, and Northrop quickly adapted its prototype design for naval service; however, the Navy requirement disappeared when the escort carriers were retired, and Northrop redesigned its aircraft once again. By this time, the prototypes were designated as the N-156T and N-156F, as trainer and fighter variants, respectively.

The final design of the N-156 would emerge in March of 1956, with a conventional wing design and its two J85 engines mounted in the rear fuselage. While the USAF had little interest in a light fighter such as the N-156F, it selected the N-156T as the replacement of the T-33 Shooting Star, which would go on to enter service as the T-38 Talon. The first YT-38 would fly in July of 1959 and serve as the USAF's primary trainer, a role it continues to serve today. Meanwhile, the USAF also ordered three N-156F prototypes to fulfil its requirement for a low-cost fighter that could be exported to less developed countries under the Military Assistance Program (MAP). This role was confirmed by the Kennedy administration's selection of the N-156F as the winner of the F-X competition, for a low-cost fighter to be exported under the MAP program. The N-156F was subsequently renamed the F-5 "Freedom Fighter".

The F-5A's design centered on its two J85 engines, each producing up to 22 kn of thrust with afterburner. While initial N-156 prototypes had engines mounted mid-wing and ahead of the tail (similar to the F-4), the final design featured a pair of engines at the rear of the vehicle. The F-5 could attain a speed of Mach 1.4 at high altitude and could carry up to 6200 lbs of ordnance on five underwing hardpoints. Being optimized for ground attack, the F-5 lacked an air-to-air radar. However, it could carry two AIM-9 Sidewinders on wingtip pylons along with its nose-mounted 20 mm cannons.

Operational service

Being designed for export, a total of 624 F-5As were produced by Northrop, including 3 YF-5A prototypes. Another 200 F-5B two-seater aircraft were produced, lacking internal cannons but otherwise combat-ready. Additionally, Canadair produced 140 aircraft under license for the Royal Canadian Air Force, while CASA in Spain produced 70 aircraft. The F-5A was widely exported under the MAP program to countries including Iran, South Korea, the Philippines, Turkey, Greece, and the Republic of China, while Norway, Spain and Canada purchased/produced the aircraft directly. With the success of the F-5A, the USAF acquired 12 airframes from the MAP program for combat trials in Vietnam, under the code name "Skoshi Tiger" ("Little Tiger"); this led to the F-5's "Tiger" nickname. The Skoshi Tigers received modifications to instruments and the addition of a fueling probe, and were redesignated F-5C.

Later on, the F-5A would lead to more advanced variants. In 1970, Northrop won a competition for a new light export fighter, with a much larger focus on air-to-air combat to counter the threat from late-generation MiG-21s. This aircraft was the F-5E/F, advanced versions of the earlier F-5A/Bs now renamed "Tiger II". The F-5E was similarly widely-exported and modified versions are still in service with export customers, and several aircraft served with NAS Miramar (the so-called TOPGUN) as adversary aircraft, mimicking the MiG-21. Finally, the F-5A's airframe served as the basis of several design studies which culminated in the YF-17 "Cobra", a light fighter that lost the USAF LightWeight Fighter (LWF) competition to the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The YF-17 would later be enlarged into the F/A-18 Hornet, which is operated by the US Navy as a multirole combat aircraft.

Media

Skins
  • Skins and camouflages for the F-5A from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

  • [Devblog] "Export Order": F-5A (USA)

References

  • Sherman, R. (1999, December 27). F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger. FAS Military Analysis Network. Retrieved December 22, 2021, from https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/ac/f-5.htm
  • Yarrish, G. (2020, February 26). Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter. Flight Journal. Retrieved December 22, 2021, from https://www.flightjournal.com/northrop-f-5-freedom-fighter/
Northrop Corporation
FightersP-61A-11· P-61C-1
Jet fightersF-89B· F-89D
F-5A· F-5C· F-5E
F-20A
Export␗F-5A· ▄F-5E FCU

USA jet aircraft
Fighters
F-4F-4C Phantom II· F-4E Phantom II· F-4J Phantom II· F-4S Phantom II
F-5F-5A· F-5C· F-5E· F-20A
F-8F8U-2· F-8E
F-80F-80A-5· F-80C-10
F-84F-84B-26· F-84F· F-84G-21-RE
F-86F-86A-5· F-86F-25· F-86F-2· F-86F-35
F-89F-89B· F-89D
F-100F-100D
F-104F-104A· F-104C
F-14F-14A Early· F-14B
F-15F-15A
F-16F-16A· F-16A ADF· F-16C
F9FF9F-2· F9F-5· F9F-8
OtherP-59A· F2H-2· F3D-1· F3H-2· F4D-1· F11F-1
Strike Aircraft
FJ-4FJ-4B· FJ-4B VMF-232
A-4A-4B· A-4E Early
A-6A-6E TRAM
A-7A-7D· A-7E· A-7K
AV-8AV-8A· AV-8C
A-10A-10A· A-10A Late
B-57B-57A· B-57B
F-105F-105D
F-111F-111A

5A - War Thunder Wiki (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between PBY 5 and PBY 5A? ›

The primary difference between the PBY–5 and its predecessors is that waist-gun blisters replaced sliding hatches. The PBY–5 morphed into the PBY-5A with the addition of tricycle landing gear.

Is the A 5C good in War Thunder? ›

Pros: High acceleration, great energy retention, and decent climb rate.

What BR is the A5C? ›

we all know the A5, the plane that gets flares and 35G missiles at 10.0, why is it at that BR. like 80% of the time you will be on a flareless plane whos best missile is prob an aim9E and end up facing up to 4 A5c's in the enemy team.

What is the Type 5 in War Thunder? ›

The Type 5 is currently the most powerful gun mounted on an IJA tank in War Thunder. It draws parallels to the famed German 88 mm KwK43, sporting similar muzzle velocity and penetration, but with significantly increased explosive filler and improved angled armour penetration.

Are there any PBYs still flying? ›

The last military PBYs served until the 1980s. As of 2021, 86 years after its first flight, the aircraft continues to fly as a waterbomber (or airtanker) in aerial firefighting operations in some parts of the world.

What did PBY stand for? ›

For the PBY designation "PB" means patrol bomber, and "Y" was the code assigned to the manufacturer, Consolidated Aircraft. Throughout the late 1930s, modifications progressed in early 1940 to the PBY-5, used during World War II. The end abbreviation of "A" for the PBY-5 stands for amphibian.

Is the A5C Mig 19? ›

The A5C is a modified Mig-19, with much better capabilities at 10.0. And only . 3 above them would be the F-5C, and the Mig-21SMT/MF.

What is the top speed of the A5C? ›

The A-5C is capable of a top speed of over 1.400 km/h, and armed with two 23mm cannons with eight external suspension mounts: four under the fuselage and four under the wings.

What is the top speed of the F-5C? ›

The aircraft was modified to mount a fuelling boom for refueling during flight, armouring of several fuselage sections were also added, and the co*ckpit instrumentation was updated. The premium F-5C is capable of reaching a top speed of over 1400 km/h. The fighter is armed with two 20mm M39A2 revolver cannons.

Is there an F 15 in War Thunder? ›

The F-15A is no slouch, however, as it can hold its own in a BVR fight. Be sure to pay attention to your RWR and defend accordingly. In simulator battles, the F-15 is very formidable due to its smokeless AIM-9M air-to-air missiles, but is limited by the seeker range and speed of the AIM-7M.

Is the f5 in War Thunder? ›

The F-5 is a popular aircraft in War Thunder that many of you are familiar with, and Thailand is geographically quite close to Japan, with both having good modern relations. The F-5 series simply needs no introduction.

What title can you get for unlocking 100 camouflages? ›

Master of Disguise: Unlock 100 camouflages. Fine Art Expert: Earn 150 decals. Elite Commander: Obtain the "Elite Squadron" achievement. Superior: While leading your team in score, win 200 missions while having a battle activity of 50% or higher.

What was the PBY-5 used for? ›

The Consolidated PBY Catalina was the U. S. Navy's most successful patrol flying boat of the war but naval aviators also used the PBY to attack ships at night, and to search for and rescue people stranded at sea.

What was the armament of the PBY-5A Catalina? ›

SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer:Consolidated Aircraft Corporation
Weight:Empty: 17,526 lb. Gross: 34,000 lb.
Performance:Max Speed: 189 mph at 7,000 ft. Ceiling: 18,100 ft. Range: 2,990 miles
Armament:Two .30-in. and two .50-in. flexible-mounted machine guns and provisions for four 1,000 lb. bombs
3 more rows

What is the difference between PBY Catalina and Grumman Albatross? ›

The biggest difference is the Catalina was outfitted for war time roles including bombing and torpedo bombing complete with gunners. The Albatross, built a decade later, was strictly a search and rescue seaplane and therefore had a smaller crew.

What replaced the PBY? ›

By the end of 1943, PBYs began withdrawing and were replaced by Martin PBM Mariners. On June 1, 1949, the last squadron in the U.S. Navy reported the last Catalina in its inventory.

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