Den Canadair CF-5 (offisielt betegnet CF-116 Freedom Fighter) er den Canadair-lisensierte versjonen av det amerikanske Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter-flyet primært for de kanadiske styrkene (som CF-5) og Royal Netherlands Air Force (som NF-5). CF-5 ble oppgradert med jevne mellomrom gjennom hele sin tjenestekarriere i Canada. De kanadiske styrkene pensjonerte typen i 1995, selv om CF-5 fortsatt brukes av andre land.
The Canadair CF-5 (formally designated CF-116 Freedom Fighter in Canadian service) was the Canadian version of the American Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter and was license-built by Canadair. It was designed as a light, supersonic fighter and attack aircraft, intended to provide close air support and tactical reconnaissance for the Canadian Armed Forces in Europe. Unlike the original F-5, the CF-5 incorporated several modifications to meet specific Canadian requirements, including a simplified landing gear for operations on semi-prepared runways, improved navigation equipment, and the more powerful General Electric J85-CAN-15 engine. The CF-5 served with Canada from the late 1960s until 1995. The majority of CF-5s were later sold to other nations, including Turkey and Venezuela.
Property
Typical Value (CF-5A/CF-116A, single-seat variant)
Rolle
Light Fighter, Tactical Attack, Reconnaissance
National Origin
Canada (License-built)
Produsenten
Canadair
First Flight (CF-5)
1968
Mannskapet
1 (Pilot) for the CF-5A; 2 for the CF-5D (trainer)
Lengde
14.38 m (47 ft 2 in)
Vingespenn
7.86 m (25 ft 9 in)
Høyde
4.04 m (13 ft 3 in)
Empty Weight
3,930 kg (8,660 lb)
Max Takeoff Weight
9,385 kg (20,690 lb)
Powerplant and Performance
Engines: 2 x General Electric J85-CAN-15 afterburning turbojet engines.
Maximum Speed: Mach 1.4 (1,500 km/h; 930 mph) at altitude.
Combat Radius: 780 km (485 mi; 420 nmi) (hi-lo-hi mission).
Ferry Range: 2,500 km (1,550 mi) with external tanks.
Service Ceiling: 15,400 m (50,500 ft).
Armament and Canadian Unique Features
Fixed Armament: 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannon located in the nose (for the single-seat CF-5A).
External Stores: Up to 3,200 kg (7,000 lb) carried on five hardpoints (one center, four wing). Ordnance included bombs, rockets, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, and external fuel tanks.
Reconnaissance: The CF-5R variant was equipped with a camera nose for photo-reconnaissance missions.
Canadair Modifications: The nose landing gear strut was extended by 8 inches (20 cm) to increase the angle of attack at takeoff, improving performance from shorter, rougher fields.