The Northrop F-20 Tigershark (initially F-5G) is a prototype light fighter, designed and built by Northrop. Its development began in 1975 as a further evolution of Northrop's F-5E Tiger II, featuring a new engine that greatly improved overall performance, and a modern avionics suite including a powerful and flexible radar.

Nov 17, 2024 · What You Need to Know: The Northrop F-20 Tigershark is celebrated as the “greatest fighter never built.” Originating from the F-5E Tiger II, the F-20 offered cutting-edge avionics, a GE F404...

Aug 29, 2014 · With a General Electric F404-GE-100 turbofan engine rated at 17,000 pounds of thrust, the F-20A was 40 percent more powerful than the twin-engined F-5E Tiger II that preceded it. Northrop said the F-20A would have a low price tag, operate from short runways, and outfight the Soviet Union’s best.

Oct 3, 2023 · The F-20 was the ultimate US F-5 derivative. However unlike the twin-engined Tiger II and Freedom Fighter, the F-20 was powered by a single engine. It was intended to serve the needs of US client nations not cleared for fighters as advanced as the F-16.

Apr 13, 2024 · With a 28-foot wingspan, the F-20 Tigershark was narrow enough to fall into the "light aircraft" category. This light aerodynamic build helped it reach a maximum climbing speed of 53,000 ft/min,...

The F-20 Tigershark is a responsive, low-cost fighter that was designed by Northrop but was never sold or mass-produced. The Science Center's F-20 is the last remaining prototype.

Nov 10, 2024 · With an advanced avionics suite, capable radar, and improved flight performance, Northrop would eventually bring the aircraft to the Department of Defense for evaluation, and it was named the F-20 Tigershark.

F-20 Tigershark. Northrop developed the F-20 Tigershark in response to a U.S. Government call for the private development of a tactical fighter specifically tailored to meet the security needs of allied and friendly nations. The first flight of the Tigershark was made August 30, 1982.

Initially known as the F-5G and officially redesignated F-20 in November 1982, the Tigershark single-seat tactical fighter was evolved as a company-funded development of the basic F-5E, having an 80% increase in engine thrust and only 21% increase in empty weight.

Feb 15, 2024 · Initially developed by Northrop Corporation in the 1980s, the F-20 was a direct evolution of the F-5 Freedom Fighter, aimed at offering a cost-effective, yet highly capable fighter jet to allies of the United States.