Northrop F-20 Tigershark

1982

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Northrop F-20 Tigershark

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. Powered by a single General Electric F404-GE-100 turbofan rated at 7711kg with afterburning, the F-20 had an armament of two 20mm cannon and could carry up to 3175kg of ordnance on five stations. Three prototypes of the F-20, each embodying progressive improvements, were flown, these entering flight test on 30 August 1982, 26 August 1983 and 12 May 1984. A fourth prototype in the proposed fully-operational configuration was under construction when, following the October 1986 decision that an upgraded F-16A was to succeed F-4 and F-106 as the USAF's air defence fighter, Northrop terminated further development of the F-20 and ceased marketing efforts.

3-View 
Northrop F-20 TigersharkA three-view drawing (1278 x 872)

Specification 
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight12475 kg27503 lb
  Empty weight5089 kg11219 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan8.13 m27 ft 8 in
  Length14.17 m47 ft 6 in
  Height4.22 m14 ft 10 in
  Wing area17.28 m2186.00 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed2124 km/h1320 mph
  Range w/max.fuel2965 km1842 miles

Comments1-20 21-40
Joe, e-mail, 06.02.2010 03:36

The only thing the F-16 had over the F-20 was political maneuvering, as Frank correctly stated. The F-20 had PLENTY of range, weapons carrying capability, and flight characteristics that made it too hot to sell overseas - the USAF couldn't export a fighter that would beat the pants off their F-16. Switzerland, Israel, S. Korea, Taiwan, and others were lining up 3-deep to buy them. But politics won out - Switzerland is the hardest buyer to please - and they refused to buy the F-16. They kept their F-5s instead. U.S. taxpayers got a politically-expedient G.D. shortcoming for their hard-spent dollars.

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FWflyer, e-mail, 02.02.2010 08:57

The F-20 was great if you wanted to bomb the end of the runway. It had no range which is one of the main reasons why the F-16 won the competition.

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Animal, e-mail, 26.10.2009 01:51

It will rise again

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Animal, e-mail, 26.10.2009 01:51

It will rise again

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Frank, e-mail, 03.04.2009 21:01

I remember following the competition between the F-20 and the F-16. The F-20 beat the balls off the F-16 in almost every category of competition except lobbying Congress. There is where GD won out and the nation lost.

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nick, 19.08.2008 08:30

did you nwowe that its rader had a spinap time of 20sescones

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1-20 21-40

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