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- United States and South Vietnam
USAF F-5C Skoshi Tiger aircraft were combat-tested in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967, then surviving aircraft were transferred to the South Vietnamese air force for continued F-5 operations.
Aircraft & UAVs
Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger II
Also known as
- F-5
- F-5A/B Freedom Fighter
- F-5E/F Tiger II
The Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger II is a lightweight supersonic fighter family developed by Northrop for export customers, low operating cost, and easy support. The later F-5E/F Tiger II and F-5N/F adversary aircraft kept the design relevant through radar, structural, avionics, and training-role upgrades, while combat use spans Vietnam, Iran, Yemen, North Africa, and other source-limited air-war records.
Role in Conflicts
- Side
- Vietnam
Vietnam operated captured F-5s after 1975, and open reference material describes the type being used in ground-attack sorties against Khmer Rouge forces.
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- Ethiopia
Ethiopian F-5 fighters saw combat against Somali forces during the 1977 Ogaden War, with F-5A and F-5E aircraft forming a central part of Ethiopia's fighter force.
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- Iran
Iranian F-5s remained in service after the 1979 revolution and were heavily involved in 1980 Iran-Iraq War sorties, including air combat and air-to-ground missions.
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- Morocco
U.S. diplomatic reporting during the Sahara conflict discussed Moroccan F-5 aircraft stationed for Sahara operations, with later open references tying Moroccan F-5s to reconnaissance and bombing missions.
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- North Yemen
North Yemeni F-5E Tiger IIs saw combat during the 1994 civil war, including reported air-to-air engagements with South Yemeni aircraft and helicopters.
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- Yemeni government
Yemeni F-5Es were used by government forces against Houthi rebels during the 2004 Houthi Insurgency before the broader 2015 intervention phase.
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- Coalition forces
Royal Saudi Air Force F-5Es flew 1990 Gulf War close-air-support and aerial-interdiction missions against Iraqi forces in Kuwait; one Saudi F-5E was lost to ground fire in February 1991.
Role details- Side
- Somali government and aligned forces
- Role in conflict
- Legacy fighter fleet
Somalia operated a small F-5 fleet that is tied to the country's air arm and broader civil-war-era combat aviation record.
- Side
- Tunisia
Tunisian F-5s were used from 2013 in strike missions supporting operations around Mount Chaambi against Ansar al-Sharia and al-Qaeda-linked militants.
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- Iran
During the 2026 Iran War, Janes reported Iranian F-5 pilot claims tied to bomb releases over Camp Buehring in Kuwait.
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- United States
- Built by
- Northrop Corporation
- Type
- Supersonic light fighter aircraft
- Service note
- 1959-present
- Designer
- Northrop Corporation
- Designed
- Late 1950s
- Unit cost
- Export pricing varied by customer and production arrangement
- Produced
- 1959-1987
- Number built
- More than 2,600
Specifications
- Crew
- 1-2
- F-5A armament
- Two 20 mm cannons plus rockets, missiles, and up to 5,500 lb of external bombs in the USAF museum technical notes
- F-5A maximum speed
- 925 mph in the USAF museum technical notes
- F-5N/F engines
- 2 x J85-GE-21C afterburning turbojets, 5,000 lb thrust each
- F-5N/F speed
- F-5N Mach 1.64 and F-5F Mach 1.56 at 36,000 ft
- F-5N/F range
- Maximum 2,314 miles / 4,286 km
- F-5N/F ceiling
- 50,000+ ft
- Adversary systems
- AN/APQ-159 radar, ALR-87 radar warning receiver, ALE-40 chaff/flare, and maneuvering flaps on U.S. Navy F-5N/F aircraft
- Role
- Light fighter, attacker, reconnaissance derivative, and adversary trainer
F-5 Family Notes
The F-5 family is best read as a set of export fighter, combat-test, reconnaissance, and adversary-training branches rather than a single fixed configuration.
| Branch | Configuration | Source-backed distinction |
|---|---|---|
| F-5A/B Freedom Fighter | Original fighter and trainer | The museum record ties the F-5A/B to allied training, ground-support and interception use, with the F-5B first flying in February 1964. |
| F-5C Skoshi Tiger | Vietnam combat-test aircraft | USAF F-5s were combat-tested in Vietnam during 1965-1967 and then handed over to the South Vietnamese air force. |
| F-5E/F Tiger II | Improved Tiger II family | The later Tiger II branch underpins many export combat fleets and the two-seat F-5F first flew at Edwards on September 25, 1974. |
| RF-5 Tigereye | Reconnaissance derivative | Northrop support material treats RF-5 reconnaissance aircraft as part of the F-5 structural-upgrade and support population. |
| F-5N/F | Adversary conversion | U.S. Navy fact data describes F-5N/F aircraft as Swiss-origin conversions with modernized systems for Navy and Marine Corps adversary training. |
Variants
This page covers the original F-5A/B Freedom Fighter, the Vietnam F-5C Skoshi Tiger combat-test configuration, the later F-5E/F Tiger II, reconnaissance RF-5 derivatives, and U.S. Navy/Marine Corps F-5N/F adversary conversions.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| F-5A Freedom Fighter | Single-seat export fighter | Original Freedom Fighter model used for allied pilot training and ground-support or interception missions. Sources: Northrop YF-5A Freedom Fighter |
| F-5B Freedom Fighter | Two-seat combat trainer | Two-place trainer version that first flew in February 1964. Sources: Northrop YF-5A Freedom Fighter |
| F-5C Skoshi Tiger | Vietnam combat-test aircraft | USAF F-5A aircraft modified for the Skoshi Tiger combat evaluation and later transferred to the South Vietnamese air force. Sources: Northrop YF-5A Freedom Fighter |
| F-5E Tiger II | Improved single-seat Tiger II | Second-generation F-5 family member with greater capability and long-running export, training, and adversary use. |
| F-5F Tiger II | Two-seat Tiger II | Two-seat F-5E-family trainer with a new fuselage; Edwards AFB records its first flight on September 25, 1974. Sources: This week in Edwards history, F-5 Tiger II |
| RF-5 Tigereye | Reconnaissance derivative | Reconnaissance F-5 derivative identified by Northrop support material and RF-5 structural-upgrade coverage. Sources: F-5 Tiger Fighter Jet |
| F-5N/F adversary aircraft | U.S. Navy and Marine Corps adversary conversion | Low-hour Swiss F-5E/F aircraft updated to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps F-5N/F adversary standards, with later ARTEMIS F-5N+/F+ modernization. Sources: F-5N/F Adversary Aircraft, Navy F-5 modernization program |
Carried Missiles
Museum and manufacturer records document F-5E/F carriage or provisions for short-range air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Short-range air-to-air missile | The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force identifies F-5E and F-5F aircraft carrying AIM-9 Sidewinder-family missiles. Sources: Northrop F-5E AIM-9 photo, Northrop F-5F AIM-9J and AGM-65 photo |
 | Air-to-surface missile | Northrop Grumman describes F-5 wing upgrade provisions for Maverick missiles, and the Air Force museum identifies an F-5F carrying AGM-65 Maverick missiles. Sources: F-5 Tiger Fighter Jet, Northrop F-5F AIM-9J and AGM-65 photo |
Timeline
Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger II Key Events
First flight
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force places the F-5's first flight in July 1959.
Sources: Northrop YF-5A Freedom Fighter
F-5B first flight
The two-place F-5B combat trainer first flew in February 1964.
Sources: Northrop YF-5A Freedom Fighter
Foreign-pilot training deliveries
Deliveries to Tactical Air Command for training foreign F-5 pilots began in April 1964.
Sources: Northrop YF-5A Freedom Fighter
Skoshi Tiger combat evaluation
USAF Skoshi Tiger F-5s were combat-tested in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967 before handover to the South Vietnamese air force.
Sources: Northrop YF-5A Freedom Fighter
F-5F first flight
Northrop's F-5F made its first flight at Edwards as the two-seat trainer version of the F-5E Tiger II.
Sources: This week in Edwards history
North Yemeni F-5Es fielded
The War Zone's history of Yemen's F-5Es places the type in North Yemeni service by 1979, before the later civil-war era.
Sources: The Intriguing Story Of How Yemen Got F-5E Tiger II Fighters
Combat in Yemen
The War Zone reports Yemeni F-5Es flying in the 1994 civil war, including air combat against South Yemeni aircraft and helicopters.
Sources: The Intriguing Story Of How Yemen Got F-5E Tiger II Fighters
Final delivery
Northrop's F-5 page identifies 1989 as the final delivery year for the production line.
Sources: F-5 Tiger Fighter Jet
F-5N adversary aircraft deployed
Navy fact data lists 2003 for F-5N deployment in the U.S. adversary aircraft role.
Sources: F-5 Tiger II
ARTEMIS modernization milestone
NAVAIR's F-5N+/F+ ARTEMIS program reached Milestone C, moving the upgrade program toward production and deployment.
Sources: Navy F-5 modernization program
Iran War reporting
Janes reported Iranian F-5 activity in the 2026 Iran War, including claims tied to the Kuwait attack reporting and subsequent airbase strikes.
Sources: Iran conflict 2026: Iranian F-5 pilots claim credit for Kuwaiti friendly fire shootdowns
Media
Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger II Videos
Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger II Images
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
F-5 Tiger Fighter JetPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports manufacturer background, production scale, final-delivery timeline context, structural upgrade context, and general F-5 family background. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Northrop YF-5A Freedom FighterPublisher: National Museum of the United States Air Force | Note: Supports direct 1955 Vietnam War combat-use context: USAF F-5s were combat tested in Vietnam and then turned over to South Vietnamese pilots and the South Vietnamese Air Force. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Northrop F-5Publisher: Wikipedia | Note: Supports general F-5 background plus direct conflict-use context for the 1955 Vietnam War, 1990 Gulf War, 1977 Cambodian-Vietnamese War, 1977 Ogaden War, 1980 Iran-Iraq War, 1975 Western Sahara War, 1991 Somali Civil War, and 2012 Tunisian Insurgency. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Moroccan Use of F-5 AircraftPublisher: Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State | Note: Supports direct 1975 Western Sahara War use: the Department of State discussed Moroccan F-5s stationed in Sahara during the Sahara conflict. | Accessed: 2026-07-13The Intriguing Story Of How Yemen Got F-5E Tiger II FightersPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports direct Yemen conflict-use context: Yemeni F-5Es saw 1994 Yemeni Civil War combat and were used by Yemeni forces against Houthi rebels during the 2004 Houthi Insurgency. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Iran conflict 2026: Iranian F-5 pilots claim credit for Kuwaiti friendly fire shootdownsPublisher: Janes | Note: Supports direct 2026 Iran War conflict-use context: Iranian F-5 pilots described releasing bombs over Camp Buehring during the war. | Accessed: 2026-07-13F-5 Tiger IIPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports the F-5N and F-5F Tiger II trainer and adversary role in U.S. service, including dimensions, speed, range, ceiling, engines, deployment dates, and crew count. | Accessed: 2026-07-13F-5N/F Adversary AircraftPublisher: United States Navy | Note: Supports F-5N/F adversary configuration, Swiss-origin conversion background, avionics, maneuverability features, and U.S. Navy/Marine Corps training role. | Accessed: 2026-07-13This week in Edwards historyPublisher: Edwards Air Force Base | Note: Supports the F-5F first-flight date and two-seat trainer configuration. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Navy F-5 modernization programPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports the F-5N+/F+ ARTEMIS modernization timeline and the conversion of former Swiss F-5E/F aircraft for Navy and Marine Corps adversary training capacity. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Iranian Tigers at WarPublisher: Helion & Company | Note: Supports direct 1980 Iran-Iraq War use: Iranian F-5 variants bore a major share of combat operations, including long-range strikes, close-air-support, reconnaissance sorties, and air combat. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Wings Over Ogaden samplePublisher: I Go Books | Note: Supports direct 1977 Ogaden War use: the sample describes Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighter-bombers as central to Ethiopia's air-war effort against Somalia. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Vietnam Conflict Aviation Resource Center F-5Publisher: Warbirds Resource Group | Note: Supports direct 1977 Cambodian-Vietnamese War use: captured F-5 aircraft were used operationally by North Vietnamese/Vietnamese forces, particularly against Khmer Rouge forces. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Tunisian Air Force F-5 Tiger crashes, pilot killedPublisher: The Aviation Geek Club | Note: Supports direct 2012 Tunisian Insurgency use: Tunisian F-5s were used in strike missions around Mount Chaambi against Ansar al-Sharia and al-Qaeda-linked militants. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Tunisian Military Launches Air Strikes on Mountain-Based MilitantsPublisher: Voice of America | Note: Supports the Mount Chaambi air-strike context for the 2012 Tunisian Insurgency, including Tunisian air strikes against suspected Islamist militants near the Algerian border. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Northrop F-5E AIM-9 photoPublisher: National Museum of the United States Air Force | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force photo identifying a Northrop F-5E with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Northrop F-5F AIM-9J and AGM-65 photoPublisher: National Museum of the United States Air Force | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force photo identifying a Northrop F-5F with AIM-9J Sidewinder and AGM-65 Maverick missiles. | Accessed: 2026-07-1365th Aggressor Squadron - F-5E Tiger II.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain image used as the primary image for the weapon page. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Northrop F-5E Tiger II 3-view.svgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Publicly licensed three-view drawing used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Northrop F-5E Tiger II, Seattle Museum Of Flight, Washington.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Publicly licensed museum image used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-13