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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.
 | A three-view drawing (1278 x 872) |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 12475 kg | 27503 lb |
| Empty weight | 5089 kg | 11219 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 8.13 m | 27 ft 8 in |
| Length | 14.17 m | 47 ft 6 in |
| Height | 4.22 m | 14 ft 10 in |
| Wing area | 17.28 m2 | 186.00 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 2124 km/h | 1320 mph |
| Range w/max.fuel | 2965 km | 1842 miles |
| Joe, jf_clift(@)yahoo.com, 06.02.2010 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. | | FWflyer, kfkern(@)charter.net, 02.02.2010 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. | | Animal, mak123(@)earthlink.net, 26.10.2009 It will rise again | | Animal, mak123(@)earthlink.net, 26.10.2009 It will rise again | | Frank, bizzocof(@)yahoo.com, 03.04.2009 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. | | nick, 19.08.2008 did you nwowe that its rader had a spinap time of 20sescones |
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Do you have any comments about this aircraft ?
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