Difference between revisions of "F-5A (China)"
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<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> | <!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> | ||
=== [[wt:en/news/7060-development-f-5a-freedom-fighter-bring-em-hell-en|Devblog]] === | === [[wt:en/news/7060-development-f-5a-freedom-fighter-bring-em-hell-en|Devblog]] === | ||
| − | In the mid- | + | In the mid-50's, a group of specialists from the Northrop Corporation began developing a light multi-role short-range support fighter on their own initiative that could take off and land on short runways. The idea did not receive much appreciation from the military authorities, as the main stake was then placed on high-tech expensive fighters, for which the length of the runway did not play a decisive role. However, within Northrop Corporation, the project continued to develop. While research, construction and testing of prototypes were going on, the strengthening of the NATO and SEATO alliances required the United States to supply a cheap multi-role fighter to allies. |
This is where the work of the Northrop engineers came in handy. With minor modifications, the experimental aircraft went into production under the designation F-5A. Very easy to assemble and maintain, without modern navigation and guidance systems, the aircraft was able to carry a huge arsenal of suspended weaponry and effectively carry out missions to destroy various types of ground targets, as well as successfully participate in air battles, often against more expensive and advanced enemy aircraft. | This is where the work of the Northrop engineers came in handy. With minor modifications, the experimental aircraft went into production under the designation F-5A. Very easy to assemble and maintain, without modern navigation and guidance systems, the aircraft was able to carry a huge arsenal of suspended weaponry and effectively carry out missions to destroy various types of ground targets, as well as successfully participate in air battles, often against more expensive and advanced enemy aircraft. | ||
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* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/519024-f-5a/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance] | * [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/519024-f-5a/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance] | ||
| + | {{AirManufacturer Northrop}} | ||
{{China jet aircraft}} | {{China jet aircraft}} | ||
Revision as of 17:34, 9 April 2021
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Contents
Description
The ␗F-5A Freedom Fighter is a rank VII Chinese jet fighter with a battle rating of 11.3 (AB) and 10.7 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Ixwa Strike".
General info
Flight performance
The F-5A is a really manoeuvrable aircraft, easily hitting 13 G turns without losing much energy. Try to stay above 800 km/h, if you go below that your speed starts dropping rapidly. You don't really have to care about ripping your wings. The angle of attack in a turn stays really low, as it does not have delta wings and is really light. However, the aircraft does not have a high top speed and acceleration.
| Characteristics | Max Speed (km/h at 10,668 m) |
Max altitude (metres) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (metres/second) |
Take-off run (metres) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | |||
| Stock | 1,430 | 1,422 | 15240 | 27.1 | 28.3 | 112.5 | 99.3 | 850 |
| Upgraded | 1,461 | 1,444 | 26.9 | 27.0 | 160.0 | 135.0 | ||
Details
| Features | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear | Drogue chute |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
| Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
| 1458 | 444 | 926 | 559 | 555 | ~11 | ~4 |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < 680 | < 750 | < 700 | N/A |
Survivability and armour
There is no armour at all on the F-5A. As such, all of the modules, control surfaces, and the pilot are exposed to any projectiles that connect.
The F-5A has two self-sealing fuel tank located in the rear fuselage right besides the engine. While this minimizes fuel strikes to a small portion of the plane, the issue comes in that the fuel tanks are overlapping each other closely. A cannon round or two fired in a volley by an enemy can easily strike both fuel tanks at the same time, leading to both tanks leaking fuels, or worse case both tanks catching on fire which would severely hamper the F-5A's survival chances.
The engines are mounted all the way towards the fuselage rear, contained around the area of the tail. This means the engine are in one of the least likely areas to be hit when attacked by an enemy in a high-deflection attack. This also means that if the enemy aims for the F-5A's rear end via guns or missiles, both the tail control and the engines are liable to be knocked out at the same time, leading to gravity taking over and dooming the aircraft.
Though it is possible to lose a wing and still maintain enough lift to fly back to base, this is a very situational case of the wings tearing off from excessive G-force (also a rare case) and if the enemy shoots it off with their armaments and damaging nothing else. The prevalence of missiles at top-rank jet battles mean this is a very unlikely situation and the F-5A most likely would not survive a direct hit by a cannon round or missile.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Part of the F-5A's forte in the air is its maneuverability, as such there should be an emphasis towards unlocking the modifications in the Flight Performance and Survivability category to boost engine power, flight speed, and turning rate.
Weaponry can be prioritized depending on the intent of use of the F-5A. IF one requires a more reliable and flexible cannon armament, the Offensive 20 mm and New 20 mm cannons should be considered, though the default belt is already sufficient for knocking out both enemy aircraft and ground AI target in Air Realistic battles. If trying to take down enemy aircraft more reliably, the AIM-9P module should be prioritized, though this requires unlocking the LAU-3/A and AGM-12B Bullpup modules to get to. If trying to attack ground targets in Ground Realistic battles, the AGM-12B is also a good place to go while unlocking the AIM-9P as it will unlock four Bullpup missiles ready to be mounted on the F-5A.
The research priority of the bombs is up to the user's preference and ability to skillfully put bombs onto target, as the F-5A does not comes with a ballistic computer to help guide where the bombs will drop. User's intuition and skill are relied upon for an accurate drop, which can be harder to do in Ground Realistic battles due to the likely contested airspace the F-5A would find themselves in when the enemy team begin deploying SPAAs.
Armaments
Offensive armament
The F-5A (China) is armed with:
- 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannons, nose-mounted (280 rpg = 560 total)
The two autocannons mounted directly at the nose of the aircraft are not as fast-firing as many of the top-rank vehicles like the M61 Vulcan on Phantoms or the GSh-23L on MiG-21s. However, the M39A2 cannon shells are of similar nature to the M61, so the same effect on enemy targets can be expected if the shots land onto target.
One benefit of the lower-rate of fire is the longer time of firing available to a F-5A pilot. So if the pilot's aim is carefully accounted, the F-5A can deliver devastating effects with their 20 mm M39A2 for a longer period of time.
Suspended armament
The F-5A (China) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
- Without load
- 18 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (4,500 lb total)
- 5 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,500 lb total)
- 5 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (3,750 lb total)
- 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
- 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
- 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 18 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (4,500 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 5 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,500 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 5 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (3,750 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 3 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (1,500 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bomb (1,000 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bomb (500 lb total)
- 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bomb (1,000 lb total)
Usage in battles
Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Many payload options
- AIM-9P missiles are quite effective
- Highly manoeuvrable
- Amazing energy retention, even in high-G manoeuvres
- Hard to rip the wings
- Can be used in many roles, such as fighter, attacker and base bomber
- Competitive speed at sea level, on par with MiG-21s
- Reasonable ammo pool for the cannons
Cons:
- No flares
- Low top speed, acceleration, and climb rate compared to its counterparts
History
Devblog
In the mid-50's, a group of specialists from the Northrop Corporation began developing a light multi-role short-range support fighter on their own initiative that could take off and land on short runways. The idea did not receive much appreciation from the military authorities, as the main stake was then placed on high-tech expensive fighters, for which the length of the runway did not play a decisive role. However, within Northrop Corporation, the project continued to develop. While research, construction and testing of prototypes were going on, the strengthening of the NATO and SEATO alliances required the United States to supply a cheap multi-role fighter to allies.
This is where the work of the Northrop engineers came in handy. With minor modifications, the experimental aircraft went into production under the designation F-5A. Very easy to assemble and maintain, without modern navigation and guidance systems, the aircraft was able to carry a huge arsenal of suspended weaponry and effectively carry out missions to destroy various types of ground targets, as well as successfully participate in air battles, often against more expensive and advanced enemy aircraft.
The F-5A Freedom Fighter was first put in service by the Norwegian Air Force in 1964, later she was supplied to a large number of US allies and was actively used in many conflicts around the world, including Vietnam, the Iran-Iraq conflict and the War of Ogaden.
Media
- Skins
See also
Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:
- reference to the series of the aircraft;
- links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.
External links
| Northrop Corporation | |
|---|---|
| Fighters | P-61A-11 · P-61C-1 |
| Jet fighters | F-89B · F-89D |
| F-5A · F-5C · F-5E | |
| F-20A | |
| Export | ␗F-5A · ▄F-5E FCU |
| China jet aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Fighters | J-2 · J-4 · J-6A · J-7II · J-7D · J-7E · J-8B · J-8F · J-10A · J-11 · J-11A |
| Strike aircraft | Q-5 early · Q-5A · Q-5L · JH-7A |
| Bombers | H-5 |
| France | ␗Mirage 2000-5Ei |
| USA | ␗F-84G-21-RE · ␗F-84G-31-RE · ␗F-86F-30 · ␗F-86F-40 · ␗F-100A · ␗F-100F · ␗F-104A · ␗F-104G · ␗F-5A · ␗F-5E · ␗F-16A MLU |
| USSR | ␗MiG-9 · ␗MiG-9 (l) |
| North Korea | Shenyang F-5 |
| Pakistan | A-5C · JF-17 |
