The previous name of this fighter was F-5G, indicating that it was a single-engined development of the F-5. The F-20 had 80% more engine power, modern avionics, and an enlarged wing. It was a capable aircraft but found no customer, because the USAF preferred to stick with the F-16. It was also offered to the USN in the “aggressor” role, but was again rejected in favour of the F-16. Without home market there was little hope for export orders. Three built.
Technical specifications of the F-20 Tigershark, Northrop
| Type | F-20 |
| Country | USA |
| Function | fighter |
| Year | 1982 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Engines | 1 * 7711 kg G.E. F404-GE-100 |
| Wing Span | 8.13 m |
| Length | 14.17 m |
| Height | 4.22 m |
| Wing Area | 17.28 m2 |
| Empty Weight | 5089 kg |
| Max.Weight | 12475 kg |
| Speed | 2124 km/h |
| Range | 2965 km |
| Armament | 2*g 20 mm 3175 kg |
he F-20 Tigershark represents a fascinating chapter in the history of fighter aircraft development, particularly within the context of Cold War military advancements. 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. Despite its promising features, the F-20’s journey from conception to development, and its eventual fate, is a tale of technological triumphs overshadowed by geopolitical and market dynamics.
Origin and Design of the F-20 Tigershark, Northrop
The F-20 Tigershark‘s development began in the late 1970s, with Northrop seeking to improve upon the F-5’s already notable success. The goal was to create a fighter that was not only affordable but also superior in performance to the existing F-5E/F Tiger II variants. Northrop embarked on this project without direct funding from the United States government, a move that was both bold and risky.
Technical Advancements of the F-20 Tigershark, Northrop
Technical advancements in the F-20 were significant. It was equipped with a single General Electric F404-GE-100 turbofan, a departure from the twin-engine configuration of its predecessor. This engine choice provided a remarkable thrust-to-weight ratio, enhancing the aircraft’s acceleration, climb rates, and overall agility. The F-20 boasted top speeds exceeding Mach 2, making it competitive with contemporary frontline fighters of its time.
Moreover, the F-20 Tigershark featured state-of-the-art avionics, including a sophisticated radar system capable of tracking and engaging multiple targets. Its cockpit was designed for ease of use, with a focus on reducing pilot workload through advanced human-machine interface technologies, including hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls.
Market and Geopolitical Challenges of the F-20 Tigershark, Northrop
Despite its technical prowess and performance advantages, the F-20 faced significant challenges in the market. One major hurdle was the U.S. government’s decision to offer the F-16 Fighting Falcon to its allies under the Foreign Military Sales program, directly competing with the F-20 in the international fighter jet market. The F-16, backed by the United States Air Force and benefiting from larger production scales, offered similar performance at competitive prices, which significantly undercut the F-20’s market potential.
Legacy of the F-20 Tigershark, Northrop
The F-20 Tigershark never secured a production contract, with only three prototypes built. By the mid-1980s, after a rigorous but ultimately unsuccessful marketing campaign, Northrop ceased the F-20 program. Despite its failure to enter production, the F-20 remains a testament to innovation and the pursuit of performance optimization in fighter aircraft design. It showcased what could be achieved in terms of speed, agility, and firepower in a cost-effective package, influencing future developments in military aviation.
The story of the F-20 Tigershark is a poignant reminder of how external factors such as geopolitical considerations and market dynamics can influence the fate of advanced technological endeavors. It remains a subject of interest for military aviation enthusiasts and historians, symbolizing the complexities of defense technology development during the Cold War era.
Additional info on the F-20 Tigershark, Northrop
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. The Mach 2 class F-20 Tigershark’s basic single-seat configuration was formally designated the F-20A. The F-20 combined propulsion, electronics and armament technologies with improvements in reliability to sustain high sortie rates in adverse weather.
The F-20 incorporated a combination of advanced technology features. The F-20 could carry more than 8,300 pounds of external armaments and fuel on five pylons. It could carry six Sidewinder missiles on air-to-air missions. For air-to-ground missions, more than 6,800 pounds of armament could be carried. Two internally mounted 20mm guns were standard equipment on the Tigershark. The avionics system features a General Electric multimode radar, Honeywell laser inertial navigation system, General Electric head-up display, Bendix digital display and control set and Teledyne Systems mission computer.
The F-20 is powered by a General Electric F404 engine, with 17,000 pounds of thrust. The F404 is recognized as one of the world’s most reliable advanced technology engines. It is also used to power the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps F/A-18A Hornet strike fighter.
Once airborne, the F-20 pilot utilized his multimode radar, which could detect and track targets at ranges of up to 48 nautical miles “look up” and 31 nautical miles “look down.” The F-20 mission computer coordinated the aircraft’s weapons systems. The head-up display placed critical weapons, target and flight data at the pilot’s eye level. This allowed him to fight without having to look down. Northrop designed a new panoramic canopy for the F-20 that gave the pilot a 50 percent increase in rearward visibility over previous Northrop fighters. An improved seat and headrest design combined to substantially expand over-the-shoulder visibility, which is critical in air-to-air combat.
Aerodynamic features of the F-20 included an enlarged leading edge extension to the wing, which generated up to 30 percent of the lift manoeuvres. The “shark-shaped” nose allowed the F-20 to manoeuvre at much higher angles of attack than current operational fighters. The F-20 airframe could withstand 9 G’s.
The F-20 was reliable and easy to maintain. Based on comparisons with the average of contemporary international fighters, the F-20 consumed 53 percent less fuel, required 52 percent less maintenance manpower, had 63 percent lower operating and maintenance costs and had four times the reliability.
