There are two main models: the original F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter variants, and the extensively updated F-5E and F-5F Tiger II variants. The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact and high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and a low cost of maintenance.

The F-5E/F is designed as a highly maneuverable, lightweight and inexpensive air superiority fighter. It featured an air-to-air fire control radar system and a lead computing gunsight. The powerful J85 engines required the fuselage to be both widened and lengthened.

On February 9, 1973, the ROC government and the US government reached an agreement for the co-production of 100 F-5E. This program was given the codename "Hu An" (Peace Tiger) and was to be undertaken jointly by Northrop and Taiwan's AIDC (then a branch of the ROCAF).

Nov 7, 2023 · Derived from the F-CK-1 Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF), the new aircraft is replacing both the aging AT-3 jet trainer as well as the F-5E/F, which now serves primarily as a lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT), following the end of its fighter career.

Six batches of these aircraft were assembled domestically by AIDC, but plans to upgrade them were cancelled in the early 2000s. They became a cornerstone of the ROCAF until the 2020s.

Jun 23, 2021 · The first AIDC-built F-5E was rolled out on October 30, 1974, one day before the late President Chiang Kai-shek’s 88th birthday, and was thus christened “Chung Chen”, an alias of President Chiang.

Soon to be on display and in flight condition, the Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum in Hillsboro, Oregon is open for tours of the Northrup F-5E Tiger II and Northrup F-5F, as well as other Cold War Era Warbirds.

Nov 19, 2015 · The F-5 was manufactured by Northrop Grumman and under license in Canada, Taiwan, South Korea, Spain and Switzerland. An agreement was reached that allowed Taiwan’s AIDC Company and Northrop to jointly produce the F-5E.

May 10, 2008 · In a sense, the Tiger 2000 is an “IDF-ied” F-5E with the GD-53 radar, MFD and HOTAS control in the cockpit, and the capability to fire the single TC-2 missile carried on the centerline pylon.

Nov 19, 2015 · The F-5 was manufactured by Northrop Grumman and under license in Canada, Taiwan, South Korea, Spain and Switzerland. An agreement was reached that allowed Taiwan’s AIDC Company and Northrop to jointly produce the F-5E. The first AIDC-built F-5E rolled off the production line on October 30, 1974.