War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Crew skills

2023-08-07T04:47:55Z

U93209642: Added a tips section onto the guide and added a tip for it

<center>[[File:Crew skills.jpg|class=dynamic_image]]</center>

'''Crew Skills''' are a way to improve crew performance and effectiveness, being for pilots, gunners, drivers, tank gunners, ship captains, radiomen, airfield/hangar/port mechanics, and more.

==Basics==
Crew skills are War Thunder's way of simulating the experience and skill gained by air, ground, and naval crews through combat missions, allowing them to perform/endure tasks more efficiently and effectively as they increase in skill over time. These can be how quickly aircraft are repaired by ground crew on the airfield, how fast a tank's loader can fit shells into the gun breech, how accurate bombers' gunners' fire is, the amount of g-force that can be sustained by a pilot before they begin blacking out, or how efficiently a ship's crew can put out a fire.

Crew experience is gained in the form of "Crew XP Points", earned by participating in battles. The number of points accrued for crew experience depends on the research points {{rp}} obtained in a battle, as well as the game mode of the battle. In Realistic and Simulator battles, for every 100 {{rp}} the player will receive 1 crew XP point which can be distributed to the crew of the vehicle used in that battle. In Arcade battles, every 100 {{rp}} will grant the player 3 crew XP points, but this higher rate also has the crew experience spread out among multiple available crews. Another way to obtain crew XP points is by purchasing them with Golden Eagles {{ge}} via the "Accelerated Training" tab on the top right corner of the Crew Training window.

During lulls in between matches in the hangar, look at the bottom left corner of the crew slots. This has a numerical value representing the crew level. The colour of this text indicates crew XP point accumulation: a regular silver font shows a regular amount of unused crew XP points and a glowing gold font shows a large amount of unused crew XP points.

Crew XP points can be used by either clicking the "Crew Training" button on the Crew tab of the infocard on the left-side of the Hangar UI, or by selecting the desired crew and clicking the "Crew" button. Both methods will open a window where crew XP points can be spent by pressing the "+" button next to desired skills. The more points invested, the more skilled the crew is, and the more points will be needed to upgrade to the next level.

==Shared crew skills==
===Logistical services===

* '''Repair Speed''' - Affects the speed at which vehicles are repaired. Repair time can be shortened up to three times when fully researched.
** For example, the base repair time of the [[Bf 109 F-4/trop]] in AB is 7 hours and 50 minutes, while with Repair Speed it is reduced to 2 hours and 36 minutes. This skill also affects the repair time of aircraft that have landed on a friendly airfield during a battle.
* '''Repair Rank''' - Determines the maximum aircraft rank to which the "Repair Speed" skill is applied. Has a total of five stages corresponding with the number of vehicle ranks in the game.
** For instance, the [[Bf 109 F-4/trop]] requires Repair Rank 3, because the plane is situated at Rank III in the [[:Category:Germany aircraft|German Air tech tree]]. If the Repair Rank is lower than Rank 3, the repair time will remain at 7 hours and 50 minutes no matter how high the repair speed skill is. This skill is one of the few not affected by crew qualification levels.

These two crew skills do not affect in-game combat, but rather allow you to repair your vehicles for free over time, if you uncheck "automatic repair" on the right of your line-up bar. This function is mostly used by players who play many nations at once and don't mind waiting in order to save some precious Silver Lions {{sl}}.

These skills are shared between crew types, which means that points in these skills will affect a crewed vehicle no matter what type of vehicle it is.

==Air vehicle crew skills ==
===General===

* '''G-Tolerance''' - Influences the tolerance of the pilot to acceleration in manoeuvres (g-forces), increasing the critical amount of "G's" that the pilot can sustain without the player's vision being darkened/reddened and losing control of the plane after a certain period of time, representing the pilot's loss of consciousness (also known as G-LOC). In "Mouse Aim" mode, this skill also affects the control accuracy of the aircraft.
* '''Stamina''' - Allows the crew to resist fatigue for a longer period of time. Accuracy and G-Tolerance gradually decrease, depending on the time spent in the session and the amount of g-forces sustained, representing fatigue and its effect on aircrew's performance. In addition, this skill has an effect on aiming accuracy in Mouse Aim mode.
* '''Vitality''' - Reduces the likelihood of the pilot receiving a mortal wound. For the beginner pilot with no points attributed to Vitality, a second .303 bullet hit (from [[MG 15 (7.92 mm)|MG 15]] or similar), or comparable shrapnel impact, is usually fatal, while a pilot with their Vitality maxed out can, with a measure of luck, survive one hit from a .50 (12.7 mm) [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|M2 Browning]] machine gun.

===Pilot===

* '''Keen Vision''' - Enhances the detection range when spotting enemies, i.e. the maximum distance at which the target indicator may appear. This ranges between 4 km (untrained) to 8 km (maxed) (3-5 km in RB/SB). Detection is only made if the enemy is in a cone in the direction of view of the player. Maximum detection distance is also dependent on the size of the target, lighting conditions, cloud cover, weather, and other factors.
* '''Awareness''' - Enhances the detection range of enemy targets between 400 m (untrained) to 800 m (maxed) (300-500 m in RB/SB). Detection is carried out in a sphere (all directions) around the aircraft, regardless of the direction that the player is observing.

=== Defensive armament ===

* '''Number of Experienced Gunners''' - All skills with gunners are reduced proportionally to the difference between the amount of gunners on the selected aircraft and the number of experienced gunners in the crew. For example, an [[He 111 H-6]] bomber has 5 gunner positions. If there is only two experienced gunners in the crew, the gunner's average skill will be reduced by 60%, with four - 20%. With all five experienced positions filled, their skills will be fully effective.
* '''Fire Accuracy''' - This skill only applies when the gunner is controlled by AI (when the player is not manually controlling them). Increases the traverse speed of a turret, the maximum burst length by up to 3 times, the distance at which gunners can start firing at a target by up to 275% (55% in RB/SB), the distance at which the targets direction can be anticipated, the chance of simultaneous fire and "leading" the target, and reduces miscalculation in "leading" the target (decreased by 7 times for RB/SB when maxed out).
* '''Fire Precision''' - This skill only applies when the gunner is controlled by AI (when the player is not manually controlling them). Reduces the scatter of the gun by 2.5 times (2 times in RB/SB), increases the burst length by up to a third, increases the distance at which the gunners open fire in arcade battles by a marginal amount (up to 8%), and increases the chance of simultaneous fire and "leading" the target just like fire accuracy\.

=== Logistical services ===

* '''Reload Speed''' - Increases the rate at which the weapons are reloaded in the air and on the airfield. Reduces the rearming time by three times for cannons & machine guns, two times for bombs, rockets and torpedoes, and four times for turrets when fully researched. For example, fully leveling up a [[La-5FN]] crew's Reload Speed skill will cause the rearmament time of cannons to go down from 40 seconds to 13.3; bombs will be reloaded in 20 seconds instead of 40.
* '''Weapon Maintenance''' - Increases the efficiency of vehicle's weaponry. Reduces the overheating speed of primary weapons, as well as spread of bombs and rockets for aircraft, reduces the chance of weapon jamming due to overheating by up to 3 times and reduces the angular velocity of bombs, rockets and torpedoes by up to 3 times, thereby significantly improving their accuracy.

==Ground vehicle crew skills ==
===General===

* '''Keen Vision''' - Determines at what distance the player can see an enemy ground vehicle, as well as the ability to see ones that are behind cover. The game server only sends information of a vehicle that's concealed to the client when the player is at a minimal distance from the enemy. This distance is around 563 m if the player is looking directly at them, with a non-maxed out crew. The distance of direct vision spotting is tripled when the player uses binoculars or fire control view, but vision becomes narrower. Players can also use the third person camera to spot enemies within 235 m of the hull's front and 97m around the vehicle. Leveling up keen vision to the maximum level on all of the crew members adds bonus vision up to 63% from the base. The crew can be "Aced" for another 63% to get a total of 222% vision effectiveness.
** Vehicles with [[Scouting]] have access to the modification "Improved Optics", that multiplies the skill's base power by 30%, helping them to scout and notice danger earlier than anyone else (at best, 1621 m without binoculars).
**In Arcade mode it also affects the distance at which a player can see markers on the enemy (through non-solid obstacles), affects how much it tells you about enemy (if enemy is too far it simply says class of enemy's vehicle without displaying the full vehicle name), and affects how much of an enemy vehicle must be exposed to notice and mark them. When maxed out, this skill even allows the player to see enemies through solid walls, although at very close range, and only when looking directly at them. Note that in Arcade "absolute detection" doesn't mark everything in a 360 degree radius around the player. Only line-of-sight and line-of-movement spots work, so it is recommended for players to keep turning the camera around when driving in towns and mountains.
* '''Field repair''' - Increases the basic rate at which damaged parts are repaired (by up to 50%). It most strongly affects track repair. The average level of this skill of all crew members is taken into account when calculating the total multiplier.
* '''Agility''' - Determines the speed with which a crew member can replace another fallen one. The average value of agility in the crew is what counts - spending all of the points on one disposable crew member won't benefit the player any more than distributing the points across all of them would.
* '''Vitality''' - Reduces the likelihood of a crew member receiving a mortal wound.

===Driver===

* '''Tank Driving''' - Affects the rate at which the driver automatically switches gears and applies the brake, thus improving the acceleration and responsiveness when turning. The default gear switching time of drivers is 1 second, the skill itself can reduce pause by 0.36 sec, and together with other factors it can be reduced to 0.1 sec. Braking time reaction is 0.14 sec, reduced by skill to 0.11 sec, and together with other factors it can go down to 0.07 sec.

===Gunner===

* '''Targeting''' - Influences the speed and precision of the gun's traverse and elevation. An experienced gunner aims horizontally and vertically at the same time. An inexperienced gunner does this one axis at a time. An experienced gunner can also improve turret traverse speed. In the case of ATGM carriers, the skill may affect the responsiveness of missiles to control inputs.
* '''Rangefinding''' - Affects how accurate and precise the gunner's estimate of distance is upon using the "Rangefinder" function.

===Tank Commander===

* '''Leadership''' - Improves all crew member's skills by up to 10%. This skill isn't affected by the qualification level of crew with the vehicle in question, and is one of the most expensive to train.

[[File:CrewSkills Tank reloading 0skill.jpg|right|thumb|Demonstrating the way the "reloading" skill affects the selected crew - with skill level 0]]
===Loader===

* '''Weapon Reloading''' - Decrease the time required for loading the weapon by up to 23%. Full skill level shortens reloading time by roughly 11% on it's own. This skill has no effect on [[:Category:Ground vehicles with autoloader|Ground vehicles with autoloader systems]] as an autoloader relies on a set mechanical action over manual personnel work in lifting and loading rounds.

[[File:CrewSkills Tank reloading upgradedskill.jpg|thumb|right|Demonstrating the way the "reloading" skill affects the selected crew - with upgraded skill]]

===Radio Operator Gunner===

* '''Artillery Strike Calling Time''' - Decreases the time between calling an artillery strike and the shells being fired (from a base level of 13 seconds to a minimum of 10 seconds).
* '''Artillery Targeting Accuracy''' - Increases the targeting accuracy of artillery by reducing the shells' scattering (from a base level of 57 m to a minimum of 45 m).
* '''Radio Communication''' - In Arcade mode, it highlights all enemies around the player on the minimap, if any allied vehicle sees them (including aircraft), with default range of 500 m, which is very helpful during and against flank attacks. In Realistic mode, it increases the range at which the enemy players detected by the allied team are displayed (through red arrows pointing downward on the borders of the screen). Either effect can be increased up to 1,000 m.

==Naval vehicle crew skills ==
===Ship commander===

* '''Leadership''' - Improves all crew member's skills by up to 5%. This skill isn't affected by the qualification level of a crew with the vehicle in question, and is one of the most expensive to train.
* '''Crew interchangeability''' - Lowers the required number of crew for your vessel to remain seaworthy.
* '''Radio Communication''' - In Arcade mode, it highlights all enemies around the player on the minimap. This happens if any allied vehicle sees them (including aircraft), with a default range of 250 m. This is very helpful during and against flank attacks. In Realistic mode, it increases the range at which the enemy players detected by the allied team are displayed (through red arrows pointing downward on the borders of the screen). Either effect can be increased up to 500 m.

===Observers===

* '''Air targets detection distance''' - Increases the distance at which aircraft will be outlined by a marker.
* '''Surface targets detection distance''' - Increases the distance at which ground and naval vehicles will be outlined by a marker. This skill also increases the distance at which the full vehicle name is displayed (otherwise, simply the class of the vehicle is displayed instead).
* '''Enemy torpedoes detection distance''' - Increases the distance at which torpedoes and their trails are marked.

===Engine room===

* '''Ship control''' - Reduces the time between sending a command for engine speed mode or rudder turn and applying the change.
* '''Fire prevention''' - Reduces the chances of a fire in the engine room, engine compartment, or transmission house.

===Gunners===

* '''Main caliber reload speed''' - Reduces the reload time of the main guns.
* '''Auxiliary caliber reload speed''' - Reduces the reload time of the auxiliary guns.
* '''AAA caliber reload speed''' - Reduces the reload time of the AAA guns.
* '''AAA gunner accuracy''' - Improves the accuracy of the AI gunners when firing the AAA guns. This skill has no effect when the AAA guns are being manually aimed.
* '''Auxiliary gunner accuracy''' - Improves the accuracy of the AI gunners when firing the auxiliary guns. This skill has no effect when the auxiliary guns are being manually aimed.
* '''Distance fuse set accuracy''' - Improves the accuracy of the distance fuse when using an airburst-capable shell.

===Damage control===

* '''Unwatering time''' - Reduces the time required to remove water from the vessel.
* '''Fire extinguishing''' - Reduces the time taken to extinguish a fire, reducing the damage received from a fire.
* '''Breach repair''' - Reduces the time required to repair the hull of the vessel.
* '''Survival leadership''' - Reduces the penalty gained for attempting to unwater, extinguish fires, and repair the vehicle simultaneously.

== Qualification Levels ==
Players can level up their crews' skills through two ways - spending the aforementioned crew XP points and investing in '''crew qualification''' through Silver Lions {{sl}}.

Unlike skills, qualification levels (beyond '''"Basic"''' - the training achieved by spending crew points) are acquired only for a specific vehicle. Qualification is an exceptional skill for a crew in control of this particular vehicle. To learn it, a certain crew level needs to be achieved. Crew level is the sum of the levels of all skills learned by the crew. For example, a level 5 crew will not be able to be Qualified for an [[M6A1]], which is Rank III, and will have to be leveled up higher to have this option available.

===Air vehicles===
Spending crew points in aircraft crews accounts for 50% of the attainable skill levels. There are three levels of qualification altogether before one can reach the full 100% of the crew: "Basic", "Expert" and "Ace".

[[File:CrewSkills Aircraft training.png|thumb|none|x500px|Diagram of the distribution of skill levels through the levels of qualification in Air crews.]]

The first level of qualification, "Expert," increases all skills by 3 levels, meaning a full 30% increase in efficiency. The second level afterwards, "Ace," increases these skills by another 2 levels, adding up to a total 50% increase with a jump of 5 levels.

In order to use these skills at their maximum level, a pilot needs to research them up to level 5 and obtain two qualifications to reach up to level 10. For instance, a pilot who leveled the "Keen Vision" skill up to 5 will detect targets approximately 6 km away; after getting the "Expert" qualification he will then see enemy targets at 7.2 km; finally, reaching "Ace" qualification will increase this detection distance to the maximum of 8 km.

===Ground and Naval vehicles===
In the case of ground crews, "Current skill level" accounts for 40% of the required qualification to reach the maximum skill level, the "Top" level. The remaining 60% are delegated to the two qualification levels - "Expert", and "Ace", as well as the bonus provided by the Tank/Ship Commander's "Leadership" skill.

[[File:CrewSkills Tank training.png|thumb|none|x500px|Diagram of the distribution of skill levels through the levels of qualification in Ground and Naval crews]]

==Crew points to level==
The following charts should be used to gauge the amount of crew XP points needed to level up a skill. Every skill with the exception of the "Repair Rank" skill is increased by increments of 0.5 levels.

The maximum achievable crew level for aviation crews is '''75'''. For tank crews, the maximum is '''150'''. For naval crews, the maximum is '''100'''.

Highlighted skills - the unique skills of a specific crew member

===Air crew===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" width="80%"
! width="165px" | Skill !! colspan="2" | 1 !! colspan="2" | 2 !! colspan="2" | 3 !! colspan="2" | 4 !! colspan="2" | 5 !! Total
|-
! colspan="12" | Pilot
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Keen Vision || 15 || 50 || 90 || 145 || 195 || 270 || 340 || 415 || 500 || 600 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 2,620
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Awareness || 15 || 50 || 90 || 145 || 195 || 270 || 340 || 415 || 500 || 600 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 2,620
|-
| G-Tolerance || 22 || 64 || 110 || 160 || 215 || 275 || 330 || 395 || 470 || 530 || 2,571
|-
| Stamina || 22 || 64 || 110 || 160 || 215 || 275 || 330 || 395 || 470 || 530 || 2,571
|-
| Vitality || 27 || 80 || 150 || 225 || 320 || 415 || 520 || 640 || 760 || 890 || 4,027
|-
! colspan="12" | Defensive armament
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Number of Experienced Gunners || 0 || 170 || 230 || 300 || 360 || 430 || 490 || 560 || 630 || 690 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 3,860
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Fire Accuracy || 12 || 29 || 55 || 80 || 110 || 135 || 165 || 195 || 235 || 265 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 1,281
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Fire Precision || 12 || 29 || 55 || 80 || 110 || 135 || 165 || 195 || 235 || 265 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 1,281
|-
| G-Tolerance || 17 || 40 || 60 || 100 || 110 || 150 || 160 || 200 || 215 || 250 || 1,302
|-
| Stamina || 17 || 40 || 60 || 100 || 110 || 150 || 160 || 200 || 215 || 250 || 1,302
|-
| Vitality || 17 || 40 || 60 || 100 || 110 || 150 || 160 || 200 || 215 || 250 || 1,302
|-
! colspan="12" | Logistical services
|-
| Repair Speed || 12 || 35 || 55 || 80 || 110 || 140 || 170 || 205 || 240 || 275 || 1,322
|-
| Repair Rank || colspan="2" | 0 || colspan="2" | 120 || colspan="2" | 240 || colspan="2" | 390 || colspan="2" | 590 || 1,340
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Reload Speed || 16 || 60 || 120 || 190 || 285 || 385 || 505 || 640 || 780 || 930 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 3,911
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Weapon Maintenance || 22 || 64 || 110 || 160 || 215 || 275 || 330 || 395 || 470 || 530 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 2,571
|-
| colspan="10" | || '''Total''' || '''33,881'''
|}

=== Ground crew ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" width="80%"
! width="165px" | Skill !! colspan="2" | 1 !! colspan="2" | 2 !! colspan="2" | 3 !! colspan="2" | 4 !! colspan="2" | 5 !! Total
|-
! colspan="12" | Driver
|-
| Keen Vision || 20 || 47 || 100 || 135 || 175 || 215 || 260 || 310 || 360 || 410 || 2,032
|-
| Field Repair || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Agility || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Vitality || 23 || 70 || 125 || 185 || 255 || 325 || 400 || 480 || 570 || 660 || 3,093
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Tank Driving || 11 || 24 || 50 || 70 || 85 || 110 || 130 || 155 || 180 || 205 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 1,020
|-
! colspan="12" | Gunner
|-
| Keen Vision || 20 || 47 || 100 || 135 || 175 || 215 || 260 || 310 || 360 || 410 || 2,032
|-
| Field Repair || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Agility || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Vitality || 23 || 70 || 125 || 185 || 255 || 325 || 400 || 480 || 570 || 660 || 3,093
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Targeting || 11 || 24 || 50 || 70 || 85 || 110 || 130 || 155 || 180 || 205 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 1,020
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Rangefinding || 11 || 24 || 50 || 70 || 85 || 110 || 130 || 155 || 180 || 205 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 1,020
|-
! colspan="12" | Tank Commander
|-
| Keen Vision || 20 || 47 || 100 || 135 || 175 || 215 || 260 || 310 || 360 || 410 || 2,032
|-
| Field Repair || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Agility || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Vitality || 23 || 70 || 125 || 185 || 255 || 325 || 400 || 480 || 570 || 660 || 3,093
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Leadership || 16 || 60 || 120 || 200 || 290 || 400 || 515 || 650 || 800 || 970 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 4,021
|-
! colspan="12" | Tank Loader
|-
| Keen Vision || 20 || 47 || 100 || 135 || 175 || 215 || 260 || 310 || 360 || 410 || 2,032
|-
| Field Repair || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Agility || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Vitality || 23 || 70 || 125 || 185 || 255 || 325 || 400 || 480 || 570 || 660 || 3,093
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Weapon Reloading || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 3,060
|-
! colspan="12" | Radio Operator Gunner
|-
| Keen Vision || 20 || 47 || 100 || 135 || 175 || 215 || 260 || 310 || 360 || 410 || 2,032
|-
| Field Repair || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Agility || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Vitality || 23 || 70 || 125 || 185 || 255 || 325 || 400 || 480 || 570 || 660 || 3,093
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Artillery Targeting Accuracy || 8 || 18 || 25 || 45 || 50 || 55 || 75 || 75 || 90 || 100 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 541
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Artillery Strike Calling Time || 8 || 18 || 25 || 45 || 50 || 55 || 75 || 75 || 90 || 100 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 541
|-
| style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | Radio Communication || 11 || 24 || 50 || 70 || 85 || 110 || 130 || 155 || 180 || 205 || style="background-color:#DBE0E2;" | 1,020
|-
! colspan="12" | Logistical services
|-
| Repair Speed || 12 || 35 || 55 || 80 || 110 || 140 || 170 || 205 || 240 || 275 || 1,322
|-
| Repair Rank || colspan="2" | 0 || colspan="2" | 120 || colspan="2" | 240 || colspan="2" | 390 || colspan="2" | 590 || 1,340
|-
| colspan="10" | || '''Total''' || '''71,130'''
|}

=== Naval crew ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" width="80%"
! width="165px" | Skill !! colspan="2" | 1 !! colspan="2" | 2 !! colspan="2" | 3 !! colspan="2" | 4 !! colspan="2" | 5 !! Total
|-
! colspan="12" | Ship commander
|-
| Leadership || 16 || 60 || 120 || 200 || 290 || 400 || 515 || 650 || 800 || 970 || 4,021
|-
| Crew interchangeability || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Radio Communication || 12 || 29 || 55 || 80 || 110 || 135 || 165 || 195 || 235 || 265 || 1,281
|-
! colspan="12" | Observers
|-
| Air targets detection distance || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Surface targets detection distance || 16 || 60 || 120 || 200 || 290 || 400 || 515 || 650 || 800 || 970 || 4,021
|-
| Enemy torpedoes detection distance || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
! colspan="12" | Engine room
|-
| Ship control || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Fire prevention || 20 || 47 || 100 || 135 || 175 || 215 || 260 || 310 || 360 || 410 || 2,032
|-
! colspan="12" | Gunners
|-
| Main caliber reload speed || 16 || 60 || 120 || 200 || 290 || 400 || 515 || 650 || 800 || 970 || 4,021
|-
| Auxiliary caliber reload speed || 20 || 47 || 100 || 135 || 175 || 215 || 260 || 310 || 360 || 410 || 2,032
|-
| AAA caliber reload speed || 20 || 47 || 100 || 135 || 175 || 215 || 260 || 310 || 360 || 410 || 2,032
|-
| AAA gunner accuracy || 20 || 47 || 100 || 135 || 175 || 215 || 260 || 310 || 360 || 410 || 2,032
|-
| Auxiliary gunner accuracy || 20 || 47 || 100 || 135 || 175 || 215 || 260 || 310 || 360 || 410 || 2,032
|-
| Distance fuse set accuracy || 11 || 24 || 50 || 70 || 85 || 110 || 130 || 155 || 180 || 205 || 1,020
|-
! colspan="12" | Damage control
|-
| Unwatering time || 20 || 47 || 100 || 135 || 175 || 215 || 260 || 310 || 360 || 410 || 2,032
|-
| Fire extinguishing || 15 || 50 || 100 || 155 || 230 || 310 || 395 || 495 || 600 || 710 || 3,060
|-
| Breach repair || 16 || 60 || 120 || 200 || 290 || 400 || 515 || 650 || 800 || 970 || 4,021
|-
| Survive leadership || 20 || 47 || 100 || 135 || 175 || 215 || 260 || 310 || 360 || 410 || 2,032
|-
! colspan="12" | Logistical services
|-
| Repair Speed || 12 || 35 || 55 || 80 || 110 || 140 || 170 || 205 || 240 || 275 || 1,322
|-
| Repair Rank || colspan="2" | 0 || colspan="2" | 120 || colspan="2" | 240 || colspan="2" | 390 || colspan="2" | 590 || 1,340
|-
| colspan="10" | || '''Total''' || '''50,571'''
|}

== Tips ==

* When using a high tier premium vehicle, remember that crew training cost for premiums is maxed at 10,000 SL, so you can use them to train multiple crews easily

== Media ==


;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|bTNLb4WT_g4|'''The Shooting Range #312''' - ''Tactics & Strategy'' section at 07:47 discusses naval crew skills.|bVoBUcq25gg|'''The Shooting Range #305''' - ''Tactics & Strategy'' section at 07:50 discusses aircraft crew skills.|d27p2Kg06MA|'''The Shooting Range #302''' - ''Tactics & Strategy'' section at 08:10 discusses tank crew skills.|6lOL6wSZVtY|'''Tank Crew Skills Guide''' - ''skDoger''|iG5yHEgCpk8|'''Plane Crew Skills Guide''' - ''skDoger''|No7JtRPaHM0|'''Naval Crew Skills Guide - Comprehensive Guide For Naval Crews''' - ''Tankenstein''}}

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/697--en|[Special] All you need to know about aircraft crews]]
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/839|[Devblog] Improved Crew Skills with Update 1.53]]

[[Category:Game mechanics]]

F-5C

2023-08-07T04:42:21Z

U93209642: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = American jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F-5 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f-5c
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 001.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 002.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 003.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 004.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 005.jpg}}
|store=10174
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Red Skies"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

The F-5C is generally an all-round good fighter. It's not the fastest plane and not the most manoeuvrable, but the combination of its decent speed, acceleration, and manoeuvrability make it a joy to fly and fight in. The F-5C has excellent turn rate and energy retention while maintaining a speed above Mach 0.85.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 10,668 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,429 || 1,421 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 27.1 || 28.2 || 112.7 || 99.2 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,460 || 1,443 || 26.9 || 27.0 || 159.1 || 133.6
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 926 || 560 || 555 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 680 || < 750 || < 700 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | General Electric J85-GE-13 || 2
| colspan="2" | 4,051 kg || colspan="3" | 366 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 37m fuel
|-
| 271 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 4,580 kg || 4,992 kg || 5,463 kg || 5,814 kg || 9,000 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 37m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 960 kgf || 1,426 kgf
| 0.62 || 0.57 || 0.52 || 0.49 || 0.32
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 1,200 kgf (1,400 km/h) || 2,459 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.07 || 0.99 || 0.90 || 0.85 || 0.55
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* Self-sealing fuel tanks (2 in fuselage - centreline)

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|M39A2 (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannons, nose-mounted (280 rpg = 560 total)
** 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannons + 60 x countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="6%" | 1 !! width="6%" | 2 !! width="6%" | 3 !! width="6%" | 4 !! width="6%" | 5 !! width="6%" | 6 !! width="6%" | 7
| rowspan="12" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_F-5E_(China).png]]</div>
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|250 lb LDGP Mk 81]] bombs
| || || 6 || 6 || 6 || ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|500 lb LDGP Mk 82]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[Mk 82 Snakeye (500 lb)|500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|750 lb M117 cone 45]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83]] bombs
| || || 1 || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)|2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84]] bombs
| || || || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[BLU-1 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[FFAR Mighty Mouse]] rockets
| || 19 || 19 || || 19 || 19 ||
|-
! [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP]] rockets
| || 4 || || || || 4 ||
|-
! [[AGM-12B Bullpup]] missiles
| || 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[AIM-9E Sidewinder]] missiles
| 1 || || || || || || 1
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* Without load
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
* 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 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye 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
* 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 5 x BLU-1 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==


In air RB, the F-5C can be played as both a support and offensive plane. In medium range engagements, it plays well as a support fighter, either baiting enemies to use up missiles with the large amount of flares/chaff or launching missiles at enemies who are chasing friendly aircraft to give a chance to let your teammate get in a better position. In close range engagements, with some effort you can stay on the tail of the enemy, if possible making the enemy pull as many manoeuvres as possible to slow them down so you can get a short burst from the respectable 20 mm cannons mounted in the nose. Due to the plane's characteristics, overshooting an enemy won't be the end of a dogfight, the F-5C is able bleed enough speed in a quick turn to get right back on the enemy if they don't take advantage of the overshoot or if they are going too slow to be able to make any quick counterattack. Being slow and at a disadvantage, which is bad for any other jet at this tier, is especially terrible for this plane. The weak engines compared to its adversaries and the wing shape combine to give you great AoA but poor energy retention. At speeds above Mach 0.9, this is not an issue, but any lower than 850 km/h you will start to lose speed rapidly in a sharp turn. It is therefore recommended to pick 1v1 fights against weaker aircraft or enlist the help of teammates to take down the enemy. Another useful tip when grinding with the F-5C is to take an 2000 lb bomb and 2 BLU-1 incendiary bombs to drop on one base before turning around and going back for air targets on the way back to the base.

In mixed ground battles (RB), the F-5C is able to function as a light strike aircraft, while also being able to maintain air supremacy. The F-5C's versatile loadout of air-to-ground ordnance allows the player to choose what range they want to do air support, for example the 4 x AGM-12B loadout is great for medium range engagements against enemy ground units.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Small size makes for a harder target to hit
* Has countermeasures
* Guns are effective
* Good turn rate
* Great energy retention above Mach 0.85
* Wide variety of weapon loadouts
* Engine does not tend to overheat even in afterburners

'''Cons:'''

* Only two fairly weak AIM-9Es air-to-air missiles
* No radar
* Below average top speed
* No CCIP or CCRP for guns, rockets, or bombs, limiting its ground attack potential

== History ==

In 1965, after the outbreak of the Vietnam War, the US government decided to send troops to South Vietnam to counter the threat of North Vietnamese forces. At that time, many tactical wings of USAF were sent to Thailand and South Vietnam for Operation Rolling Thunder, as well as to support the South Vietnam Army in countering the Viet Cong forces in the South Vietnam. In the meantime, many countries were reluctant to purchase the F-5, as it hadn't yet been adopted by the USAF. Thus, the USAF decided to let Colonel Frank Emory lead a special provisional squadron named 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron to take the new F-5 fighters into the Vietnam War, an excellent chance to prove that F-5 could do its job well in regional conflicts: this combat evaluation project was named "Skoshi Tiger".

[[File:Skoshi Tiger welcome banner AFHRA.png|left|thumb|343x343px|The welcome banner of F-5C Skoshi Tiger in Bien Hoa AFB, Vietnam.]]
To extend the combat capability of the Skoshi Tiger, Northrop made some modifications to the original F-5A Freedom Fighter, such as an external fixed refuelling probe on the left side of the forward fuselage that could receive fuel from a KC-135 tanker to extend the combat radius for some long-range missions. The total weight of the Skoshi Tiger's in-flight refuelling system was 85 pounds, but it could be removed if necessary. To improve the survivability of the Skoshi Tiger against enemy ground fire, two 1/4 inch-thick face-hardened steel armour plates were mounted externally on the fuselage, the function of the front plate was to protect the pilot and control mechanisms, and the aft plate protected vital hydraulic and control areas near the tail section, which added 236 pounds to the overall weight, there were five jettison-able pylons in total under the wings and fuselage like the original F-5A Freedom Fighter, other improvements such as better throttle linkage for improved afterburner modulation and the deletion of the rudder limiter were also implemented on the Skoshi Tiger.

The official name of "Skoshi Tiger" is F-5C. Five F-5A-15 and seven F-5A-20 originally destined to allied countries were withdrawn and sent to 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron after received those modifications. Some sources claim that USAF wanted 200 F-5 fighters which could be used in Vietnam War, in which the Skoshi Tiger program would be divided into three parts, and 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron was the first part who were sent to Bien Hoa AFB to attack the ground targets in South Vietnam.

On 23rd October 1965, Skoshi Tigers of 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron finally arrived at Bien Hoa AFB and started their combat evaluation missions. In their first combat evaluation mission on the same day, two Skoshi Tigers each carried four 500-pound bombs and 500 rounds of 20 mm ammunition to strike a Viet Cong concentration, they made five bomb runs and two strafing passes over the target, luckily these two F-5C Skoshi Tigers didn't encounter any anti-air fire in the combat zone at that time. The squadron worked as an independent combat unit until it was attached to the Bien Hoa AFB-based 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing which the latter was equipped with North American F-100D and F-100F Super Sabre fighter.

Through the end of December 1965, F-5C Skoshi Tigers usually flew their combat missions within 40 miles of their home base, and the only loss happened on 16th December 1965 due to the enemy's ground fire. By the end of the month, Skoshi Tigers had flown 1,531 sorties and finished 496 missions in total, they spent 3,110,886 pounds of ordnance against Viet Cong targets and claimed to destroy 1,377 structures with another 1,292 damaged in their Phase I combat evaluation test missions.

After that, 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron moved to Da Nang Forward Base for their Phase II combat evaluation test missions, which would test if F-5C Skoshi Tigers could survive in combat zones with heavy anti-air defense in North Vietnam, also providing a wonderful chance for Skoshi Tigers to prove their air combat capability by destroying any North Vietnamese aircraft in the air. However, because the combat operations near North Vietnam were forbidden by the order of the president, Skoshi Tigers lost their chance against the enemy's MiG fighters, so they changed their targets to Viet Cong troops in Laos, and air-refuelling were needed for these combat missions in Laos. From the start of the Phase II combat evaluation on 3rd January 1966 to their end on the 30th, Skoshi Tigers flew almost 400 sorties and successfully destroyed six bridges.

The Phase III combat evaluation tests started on 2nd February 1966 when the Skoshi Tigers returned to Bien Hoa AFB, and their primary mission was to support the third Army Corps. During these days (the duration of the Phase III combat test, depending on different source was 10 to 21 days), Skoshi Tigers made 348 combat sorties, the combat load carried by the Skoshi Tigers during this phase averaged 2,603 lbs per sortie.

Though the original plan was scheduled that the Skoshi Tiger program would be ended after the end of Phase III combat missions, 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron returned to Da Nang AFB on 20th February 1966 again because USAF still wanted to find chances to test the true survivability of F-5C fighters in combat zones with heavy anti-air defense in North Vietnam, also they wanted a chance to prove that F-5C fighters could counter any Communist MiG fighters, so the original Skoshi Tiger program was extended to Phase IV at that time. During the first week, because of bad weather conditions, F-5C fighters were driven away from Laos, but since the weather got better on 1st March 1966, they obtained permission to conduct their combat test missions on the borders of North Vietnam and South Vietnam for the first time. The Skoshi Tigers not only did ground attack role but some of them also carried two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles to perform air escort missions for allied aircraft, they logged 176 combat sorties on 45 missions over North Vietnam and Laos area, also they spent 5,923 rounds of 20 mm ammunition and 543 M117 750 lb bombs during these combat missions until 10th March 1966.

On 8th March 1966, the Skoshi Tiger program was finally ended, but another squadron called 10th Fighter Commando Squadron was established at Bien Hoa AFB soon after (some sources suggest that they just changed their name from the original 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron to the new 10th Fighter Commando Squadron). Seven additional F-5 fighters without air-refuelling equipment were assigned to the new squadron which increased the total amount of aircraft to 18. Some sources say that 10th Fighter Commando Squadron was assigned to 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing of USAF at Bien Hoa AFB until 17th April 1967 and their aircraft and equipment were transferred to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force, but another source claimed that the reason that these F-5 fighters removed their air-refuelling equipment was because the Republic of Vietnam Air Force lacked tankers at that time, also Americans didn't want them to invade the North Vietnam area without a permit, which means it was assigned to Republic of Vietnam Air Force at that time. At that time, Skoshi Tiger's name was retained by the pilots of the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron, also some pilots decided to paint tiger stripes on their flight helmet.

Since the new 57 mm anti-air gun had been introduced into the North Vietnam Army by the end of 1966, the NVA finally found their approach to fight against the F-5C Skoshi Tiger formations at medium to high altitudes. From 8th March 1967 to 17th April 1967, the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron conducted 7,321 combat sorties, and 7,537 hours had been flown, including close air support and against missions enemy supply routes. A large amount of munitions had been expended by Skoshi Tigers for these combat missions, including 9,777 napalm canisters, 875 CBU bombs, and 778,566 20 mm rounds, and eight aircraft had been lost, including six aircraft due to ground fire and two aircraft due to engine failure. Seventeen aircraft had received battle damage.

In October 1966, the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron received a new mission at Bien Hoa AFB: to train new Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots to fly the F-5 fighters for combat missions, and maintenance personnel of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force were trained to maintain the F-5 fighters. At last, twelve remaining F-5A and F-5C fighters were turned over to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force at Bien Hoa AFB on 17th April 1967 from the deactivation of the USAF squadron.

[[File:F-5 fighter jet of NVA.png|thumb|356x356px|F-5 fighter in NVA service]]
Like their American ally, the Republic of Vietnam Air Force also used their F-5 fighters in close air support and supply route missions in the South Vietnam area, which helped the Republic of Vietnam Army a lot in many campaigns. From 1974 to 1975, the North Vietnam Army launched huge offensives from all directions into the Republic of Vietnam, which destroyed many Republic of Vietnam Army forces while occupying many of the Republic of Vietnam's territories, though in many cases, F-5 fighters, A-1 attackers, A-37 attackers and Armed helicopters successfully helped the allied army break the enemy's offensive or carry out retreat operations. However, as the North Vietnamese army gradually occupied the territories of South Vietnam, many Air Force bases were captured by the North Vietnamese army, and F-5 fighters that had not yet taken off or were damaged were captured by North Vietnamese army too. Because of the risk that the US government would send their Combat Forces back to Vietnam, the senior commander of North Vietnam Forces didn't want to use their MiG fighters during these invasion operations, therefore, some of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots who surrendered before were ordered to re-fly their F-5 fighters to attack the positions of the South Vietnamese army, even one time a F-5 fighter dropped a bomb on the square of the presidential palace in Saigon.

As the Vietnam War was finally ended in 1975, the new Vietnam government decided to transfer some American military equipment, such as F-5 fighters, A-37 attackers, and UH-1 helicopters, to the Soviet Union and China in exchange for more support. In China, the captured F-5A Freedom Fighter sent by the Vietnam government was tested with their own J-6 fighter, and it was found that the air combat performance of F-5A fighter not only could completely match their own J-6 fighter, but it also had much better ground attack capability, apart from that, the manufacturing process, aerodynamic design, airborne equipment and other parts of the F-5A fighter also had left a deep impression on Chinese aircraft engineers.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f-5c Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== 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 ==


* [[wt:en/news/7166-development-top-gun-day-premium-f-5c-in-red-menace-camo-for-pre-order-en|[Devblog] Top Gun Day: Premium F-5C in Red Menace camo for pre-order!]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/519024-f-5a/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Northrop}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}
{{USA premium aircraft}}

F-5C

2023-08-07T04:41:20Z

U93209642: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = American jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F-5 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f-5c
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 001.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 002.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 003.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 004.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 005.jpg}}
|store=10174
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Red Skies"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

The F-5C is generally an all-round good fighter. It's not the fastest plane and not the most manoeuvrable, but the combination of its decent speed, acceleration, and manoeuvrability make it a joy to fly and fight in. The F-5C has excellent turn rate and energy retention while maintaining a speed above Mach 0.85.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 10,668 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,429 || 1,421 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 27.1 || 28.2 || 112.7 || 99.2 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,460 || 1,443 || 26.9 || 27.0 || 159.1 || 133.6
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 926 || 560 || 555 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 680 || < 750 || < 700 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | General Electric J85-GE-13 || 2
| colspan="2" | 4,051 kg || colspan="3" | 366 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 37m fuel
|-
| 271 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 4,580 kg || 4,992 kg || 5,463 kg || 5,814 kg || 9,000 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 37m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 960 kgf || 1,426 kgf
| 0.62 || 0.57 || 0.52 || 0.49 || 0.32
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 1,200 kgf (1,400 km/h) || 2,459 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.07 || 0.99 || 0.90 || 0.85 || 0.55
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* Self-sealing fuel tanks (2 in fuselage - centreline)

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|M39A2 (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannons, nose-mounted (280 rpg = 560 total)
** 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannons + 60 x countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="6%" | 1 !! width="6%" | 2 !! width="6%" | 3 !! width="6%" | 4 !! width="6%" | 5 !! width="6%" | 6 !! width="6%" | 7
| rowspan="12" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_F-5E_(China).png]]</div>
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|250 lb LDGP Mk 81]] bombs
| || || 6 || 6 || 6 || ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|500 lb LDGP Mk 82]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[Mk 82 Snakeye (500 lb)|500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|750 lb M117 cone 45]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83]] bombs
| || || 1 || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)|2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84]] bombs
| || || || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[BLU-1 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[FFAR Mighty Mouse]] rockets
| || 19 || 19 || || 19 || 19 ||
|-
! [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP]] rockets
| || 4 || || || || 4 ||
|-
! [[AGM-12B Bullpup]] missiles
| || 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[AIM-9E Sidewinder]] missiles
| 1 || || || || || || 1
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* Without load
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
* 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 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye 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
* 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 5 x BLU-1 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==


In air RB, the F-5C can be played as both a support and offensive plane. In medium range engagements, it plays well as a support fighter, either baiting enemies to use up missiles with the large amount of flares/chaff or launching missiles at enemies who are chasing friendly aircraft to give a chance to let your teammate get in a better position. In close range engagements, with some effort you can stay on the tail of the enemy, if possible making the enemy pull as many manoeuvres as possible to slow them down so you can get a short burst from the respectable 20 mm cannons mounted in the nose. Due to the plane's characteristics, overshooting an enemy won't be the end of a dogfight, the F-5C is able bleed enough speed in a quick turn to get right back on the enemy if they don't take advantage of the overshoot or if they are going too slow to be able to make any quick counterattack. Being slow and at a disadvantage, which is bad for any other jet at this tier, is especially terrible for this plane. The weak engines compared to its adversaries and the wing shape combine to give you great AoA but poor energy retention. At speeds above Mach 0.9, this is not an issue, but any lower than 850 km/h you will start to lose speed rapidly in a sharp turn. It is therefore recommended to pick 1v1 fights against weaker aircraft or enlist the help of teammates to take down the enemy. Another useful tip when grinding with the F-5C is to take an 2000 lb bomb and 2 BLU-1 incendiary bombs to drop on one base before turning around and going back for air targets on the way back to the base.

In mixed ground battles (RB), the F-5C is able to function as a light strike aircraft, while also being able to maintain air supremacy. The F-5C's versatile loadout of air-to-ground ordnance allows the player to choose what range they want to do air support, for example the 4 x AGM-12B loadout is great for medium range engagements against enemy ground units.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Small size makes for a harder target to hit
* Has countermeasures
* Guns are effective
* Good turn rate
* Wide variety of weapon loadouts
* Engine does not tend to overheat even in afterburners

'''Cons:'''

* Only two fairly weak AIM-9Es air-to-air missiles
* No radar
* Below average top speed
* No CCIP or CCRP for guns, rockets, or bombs, limiting its ground attack potential

== History ==

In 1965, after the outbreak of the Vietnam War, the US government decided to send troops to South Vietnam to counter the threat of North Vietnamese forces. At that time, many tactical wings of USAF were sent to Thailand and South Vietnam for Operation Rolling Thunder, as well as to support the South Vietnam Army in countering the Viet Cong forces in the South Vietnam. In the meantime, many countries were reluctant to purchase the F-5, as it hadn't yet been adopted by the USAF. Thus, the USAF decided to let Colonel Frank Emory lead a special provisional squadron named 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron to take the new F-5 fighters into the Vietnam War, an excellent chance to prove that F-5 could do its job well in regional conflicts: this combat evaluation project was named "Skoshi Tiger".

[[File:Skoshi Tiger welcome banner AFHRA.png|left|thumb|343x343px|The welcome banner of F-5C Skoshi Tiger in Bien Hoa AFB, Vietnam.]]
To extend the combat capability of the Skoshi Tiger, Northrop made some modifications to the original F-5A Freedom Fighter, such as an external fixed refuelling probe on the left side of the forward fuselage that could receive fuel from a KC-135 tanker to extend the combat radius for some long-range missions. The total weight of the Skoshi Tiger's in-flight refuelling system was 85 pounds, but it could be removed if necessary. To improve the survivability of the Skoshi Tiger against enemy ground fire, two 1/4 inch-thick face-hardened steel armour plates were mounted externally on the fuselage, the function of the front plate was to protect the pilot and control mechanisms, and the aft plate protected vital hydraulic and control areas near the tail section, which added 236 pounds to the overall weight, there were five jettison-able pylons in total under the wings and fuselage like the original F-5A Freedom Fighter, other improvements such as better throttle linkage for improved afterburner modulation and the deletion of the rudder limiter were also implemented on the Skoshi Tiger.

The official name of "Skoshi Tiger" is F-5C. Five F-5A-15 and seven F-5A-20 originally destined to allied countries were withdrawn and sent to 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron after received those modifications. Some sources claim that USAF wanted 200 F-5 fighters which could be used in Vietnam War, in which the Skoshi Tiger program would be divided into three parts, and 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron was the first part who were sent to Bien Hoa AFB to attack the ground targets in South Vietnam.

On 23rd October 1965, Skoshi Tigers of 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron finally arrived at Bien Hoa AFB and started their combat evaluation missions. In their first combat evaluation mission on the same day, two Skoshi Tigers each carried four 500-pound bombs and 500 rounds of 20 mm ammunition to strike a Viet Cong concentration, they made five bomb runs and two strafing passes over the target, luckily these two F-5C Skoshi Tigers didn't encounter any anti-air fire in the combat zone at that time. The squadron worked as an independent combat unit until it was attached to the Bien Hoa AFB-based 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing which the latter was equipped with North American F-100D and F-100F Super Sabre fighter.

Through the end of December 1965, F-5C Skoshi Tigers usually flew their combat missions within 40 miles of their home base, and the only loss happened on 16th December 1965 due to the enemy's ground fire. By the end of the month, Skoshi Tigers had flown 1,531 sorties and finished 496 missions in total, they spent 3,110,886 pounds of ordnance against Viet Cong targets and claimed to destroy 1,377 structures with another 1,292 damaged in their Phase I combat evaluation test missions.

After that, 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron moved to Da Nang Forward Base for their Phase II combat evaluation test missions, which would test if F-5C Skoshi Tigers could survive in combat zones with heavy anti-air defense in North Vietnam, also providing a wonderful chance for Skoshi Tigers to prove their air combat capability by destroying any North Vietnamese aircraft in the air. However, because the combat operations near North Vietnam were forbidden by the order of the president, Skoshi Tigers lost their chance against the enemy's MiG fighters, so they changed their targets to Viet Cong troops in Laos, and air-refuelling were needed for these combat missions in Laos. From the start of the Phase II combat evaluation on 3rd January 1966 to their end on the 30th, Skoshi Tigers flew almost 400 sorties and successfully destroyed six bridges.

The Phase III combat evaluation tests started on 2nd February 1966 when the Skoshi Tigers returned to Bien Hoa AFB, and their primary mission was to support the third Army Corps. During these days (the duration of the Phase III combat test, depending on different source was 10 to 21 days), Skoshi Tigers made 348 combat sorties, the combat load carried by the Skoshi Tigers during this phase averaged 2,603 lbs per sortie.

Though the original plan was scheduled that the Skoshi Tiger program would be ended after the end of Phase III combat missions, 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron returned to Da Nang AFB on 20th February 1966 again because USAF still wanted to find chances to test the true survivability of F-5C fighters in combat zones with heavy anti-air defense in North Vietnam, also they wanted a chance to prove that F-5C fighters could counter any Communist MiG fighters, so the original Skoshi Tiger program was extended to Phase IV at that time. During the first week, because of bad weather conditions, F-5C fighters were driven away from Laos, but since the weather got better on 1st March 1966, they obtained permission to conduct their combat test missions on the borders of North Vietnam and South Vietnam for the first time. The Skoshi Tigers not only did ground attack role but some of them also carried two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles to perform air escort missions for allied aircraft, they logged 176 combat sorties on 45 missions over North Vietnam and Laos area, also they spent 5,923 rounds of 20 mm ammunition and 543 M117 750 lb bombs during these combat missions until 10th March 1966.

On 8th March 1966, the Skoshi Tiger program was finally ended, but another squadron called 10th Fighter Commando Squadron was established at Bien Hoa AFB soon after (some sources suggest that they just changed their name from the original 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron to the new 10th Fighter Commando Squadron). Seven additional F-5 fighters without air-refuelling equipment were assigned to the new squadron which increased the total amount of aircraft to 18. Some sources say that 10th Fighter Commando Squadron was assigned to 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing of USAF at Bien Hoa AFB until 17th April 1967 and their aircraft and equipment were transferred to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force, but another source claimed that the reason that these F-5 fighters removed their air-refuelling equipment was because the Republic of Vietnam Air Force lacked tankers at that time, also Americans didn't want them to invade the North Vietnam area without a permit, which means it was assigned to Republic of Vietnam Air Force at that time. At that time, Skoshi Tiger's name was retained by the pilots of the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron, also some pilots decided to paint tiger stripes on their flight helmet.

Since the new 57 mm anti-air gun had been introduced into the North Vietnam Army by the end of 1966, the NVA finally found their approach to fight against the F-5C Skoshi Tiger formations at medium to high altitudes. From 8th March 1967 to 17th April 1967, the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron conducted 7,321 combat sorties, and 7,537 hours had been flown, including close air support and against missions enemy supply routes. A large amount of munitions had been expended by Skoshi Tigers for these combat missions, including 9,777 napalm canisters, 875 CBU bombs, and 778,566 20 mm rounds, and eight aircraft had been lost, including six aircraft due to ground fire and two aircraft due to engine failure. Seventeen aircraft had received battle damage.

In October 1966, the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron received a new mission at Bien Hoa AFB: to train new Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots to fly the F-5 fighters for combat missions, and maintenance personnel of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force were trained to maintain the F-5 fighters. At last, twelve remaining F-5A and F-5C fighters were turned over to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force at Bien Hoa AFB on 17th April 1967 from the deactivation of the USAF squadron.

[[File:F-5 fighter jet of NVA.png|thumb|356x356px|F-5 fighter in NVA service]]
Like their American ally, the Republic of Vietnam Air Force also used their F-5 fighters in close air support and supply route missions in the South Vietnam area, which helped the Republic of Vietnam Army a lot in many campaigns. From 1974 to 1975, the North Vietnam Army launched huge offensives from all directions into the Republic of Vietnam, which destroyed many Republic of Vietnam Army forces while occupying many of the Republic of Vietnam's territories, though in many cases, F-5 fighters, A-1 attackers, A-37 attackers and Armed helicopters successfully helped the allied army break the enemy's offensive or carry out retreat operations. However, as the North Vietnamese army gradually occupied the territories of South Vietnam, many Air Force bases were captured by the North Vietnamese army, and F-5 fighters that had not yet taken off or were damaged were captured by North Vietnamese army too. Because of the risk that the US government would send their Combat Forces back to Vietnam, the senior commander of North Vietnam Forces didn't want to use their MiG fighters during these invasion operations, therefore, some of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots who surrendered before were ordered to re-fly their F-5 fighters to attack the positions of the South Vietnamese army, even one time a F-5 fighter dropped a bomb on the square of the presidential palace in Saigon.

As the Vietnam War was finally ended in 1975, the new Vietnam government decided to transfer some American military equipment, such as F-5 fighters, A-37 attackers, and UH-1 helicopters, to the Soviet Union and China in exchange for more support. In China, the captured F-5A Freedom Fighter sent by the Vietnam government was tested with their own J-6 fighter, and it was found that the air combat performance of F-5A fighter not only could completely match their own J-6 fighter, but it also had much better ground attack capability, apart from that, the manufacturing process, aerodynamic design, airborne equipment and other parts of the F-5A fighter also had left a deep impression on Chinese aircraft engineers.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f-5c Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== 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 ==


* [[wt:en/news/7166-development-top-gun-day-premium-f-5c-in-red-menace-camo-for-pre-order-en|[Devblog] Top Gun Day: Premium F-5C in Red Menace camo for pre-order!]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/519024-f-5a/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Northrop}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}
{{USA premium aircraft}}

F-5C

2023-08-07T04:34:39Z

U93209642: /* General info */

{{About
| about = American jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F-5 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f-5c
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 001.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 002.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 003.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 004.jpg|StoreImage F-5C 005.jpg}}
|store=10174
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Red Skies"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

The F-5C is generally an all-round good fighter. It's not the fastest plane and not the most manoeuvrable, but the combination of its decent speed, acceleration, and manoeuvrability make it a joy to fly and fight in. The F-5C has excellent turn rate and energy retention while maintaining a speed above Mach 0.85.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 10,668 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,429 || 1,421 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 27.1 || 28.2 || 112.7 || 99.2 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,460 || 1,443 || 26.9 || 27.0 || 159.1 || 133.6
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 926 || 560 || 555 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 680 || < 750 || < 700 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | General Electric J85-GE-13 || 2
| colspan="2" | 4,051 kg || colspan="3" | 366 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 37m fuel
|-
| 271 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 4,580 kg || 4,992 kg || 5,463 kg || 5,814 kg || 9,000 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 37m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 960 kgf || 1,426 kgf
| 0.62 || 0.57 || 0.52 || 0.49 || 0.32
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 1,200 kgf (1,400 km/h) || 2,459 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.07 || 0.99 || 0.90 || 0.85 || 0.55
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* Self-sealing fuel tanks (2 in fuselage - centreline)

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|M39A2 (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannons, nose-mounted (280 rpg = 560 total)
** 2 x 20 mm M39A2 cannons + 60 x countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="6%" | 1 !! width="6%" | 2 !! width="6%" | 3 !! width="6%" | 4 !! width="6%" | 5 !! width="6%" | 6 !! width="6%" | 7
| rowspan="12" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_F-5E_(China).png]]</div>
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|250 lb LDGP Mk 81]] bombs
| || || 6 || 6 || 6 || ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|500 lb LDGP Mk 82]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[Mk 82 Snakeye (500 lb)|500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|750 lb M117 cone 45]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83]] bombs
| || || 1 || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)|2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84]] bombs
| || || || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[BLU-1 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[FFAR Mighty Mouse]] rockets
| || 19 || 19 || || 19 || 19 ||
|-
! [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP]] rockets
| || 4 || || || || 4 ||
|-
! [[AGM-12B Bullpup]] missiles
| || 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[AIM-9E Sidewinder]] missiles
| 1 || || || || || || 1
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* Without load
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
* 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 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye 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
* 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 5 x BLU-1 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==


In air RB, the F-5C can be played as both a support and offensive plane. In medium range engagements, it plays well as a support fighter, either baiting enemies to use up missiles with the large amount of flares/chaff or launching missiles at enemies who are chasing friendly aircraft to give a chance to let your teammate get in a better position. In close range engagements, with some effort you can stay on the tail of the enemy, if possible making the enemy pull as many manoeuvres as possible to slow them down so you can get a short burst from the respectable 20 mm cannons mounted in the nose. Due to the plane's characteristics, overshooting an enemy won't be the end of a dogfight, the F-5C is able bleed enough speed in a quick turn to get right back on the enemy if they don't take advantage of the overshoot or if they are going too slow to be able to make any quick counterattack. Being slow and at a disadvantage, which is bad for any other jet at this tier, is especially terrible for this plane. The weak engines compared to its adversaries and the wing shape combine to give you great AoA but poor energy retention. At speeds above Mach 0.9, this is not an issue, but any lower than 850 km/h you will start to lose speed rapidly in a sharp turn. It is therefore recommended to pick 1v1 fights against weaker aircraft or enlist the help of teammates to take down the enemy.

In mixed ground battles (RB), the F-5C is able to function as a light strike aircraft, while also being able to maintain air supremacy. The F-5C's versatile loadout of air-to-ground ordnance allows the player to choose what range they want to do air support, for example the 4 x AGM-12B loadout is great for medium range engagements against enemy ground units.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Small size makes for a harder target to hit
* Has countermeasures
* Guns are effective
* Good turn rate
* Wide variety of weapon loadouts
* Engine does not tend to overheat even in afterburners

'''Cons:'''

* Only two fairly weak AIM-9Es air-to-air missiles
* No radar
* Below average top speed
* No CCIP or CCRP for guns, rockets, or bombs, limiting its ground attack potential

== History ==

In 1965, after the outbreak of the Vietnam War, the US government decided to send troops to South Vietnam to counter the threat of North Vietnamese forces. At that time, many tactical wings of USAF were sent to Thailand and South Vietnam for Operation Rolling Thunder, as well as to support the South Vietnam Army in countering the Viet Cong forces in the South Vietnam. In the meantime, many countries were reluctant to purchase the F-5, as it hadn't yet been adopted by the USAF. Thus, the USAF decided to let Colonel Frank Emory lead a special provisional squadron named 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron to take the new F-5 fighters into the Vietnam War, an excellent chance to prove that F-5 could do its job well in regional conflicts: this combat evaluation project was named "Skoshi Tiger".

[[File:Skoshi Tiger welcome banner AFHRA.png|left|thumb|343x343px|The welcome banner of F-5C Skoshi Tiger in Bien Hoa AFB, Vietnam.]]
To extend the combat capability of the Skoshi Tiger, Northrop made some modifications to the original F-5A Freedom Fighter, such as an external fixed refuelling probe on the left side of the forward fuselage that could receive fuel from a KC-135 tanker to extend the combat radius for some long-range missions. The total weight of the Skoshi Tiger's in-flight refuelling system was 85 pounds, but it could be removed if necessary. To improve the survivability of the Skoshi Tiger against enemy ground fire, two 1/4 inch-thick face-hardened steel armour plates were mounted externally on the fuselage, the function of the front plate was to protect the pilot and control mechanisms, and the aft plate protected vital hydraulic and control areas near the tail section, which added 236 pounds to the overall weight, there were five jettison-able pylons in total under the wings and fuselage like the original F-5A Freedom Fighter, other improvements such as better throttle linkage for improved afterburner modulation and the deletion of the rudder limiter were also implemented on the Skoshi Tiger.

The official name of "Skoshi Tiger" is F-5C. Five F-5A-15 and seven F-5A-20 originally destined to allied countries were withdrawn and sent to 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron after received those modifications. Some sources claim that USAF wanted 200 F-5 fighters which could be used in Vietnam War, in which the Skoshi Tiger program would be divided into three parts, and 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron was the first part who were sent to Bien Hoa AFB to attack the ground targets in South Vietnam.

On 23rd October 1965, Skoshi Tigers of 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron finally arrived at Bien Hoa AFB and started their combat evaluation missions. In their first combat evaluation mission on the same day, two Skoshi Tigers each carried four 500-pound bombs and 500 rounds of 20 mm ammunition to strike a Viet Cong concentration, they made five bomb runs and two strafing passes over the target, luckily these two F-5C Skoshi Tigers didn't encounter any anti-air fire in the combat zone at that time. The squadron worked as an independent combat unit until it was attached to the Bien Hoa AFB-based 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing which the latter was equipped with North American F-100D and F-100F Super Sabre fighter.

Through the end of December 1965, F-5C Skoshi Tigers usually flew their combat missions within 40 miles of their home base, and the only loss happened on 16th December 1965 due to the enemy's ground fire. By the end of the month, Skoshi Tigers had flown 1,531 sorties and finished 496 missions in total, they spent 3,110,886 pounds of ordnance against Viet Cong targets and claimed to destroy 1,377 structures with another 1,292 damaged in their Phase I combat evaluation test missions.

After that, 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron moved to Da Nang Forward Base for their Phase II combat evaluation test missions, which would test if F-5C Skoshi Tigers could survive in combat zones with heavy anti-air defense in North Vietnam, also providing a wonderful chance for Skoshi Tigers to prove their air combat capability by destroying any North Vietnamese aircraft in the air. However, because the combat operations near North Vietnam were forbidden by the order of the president, Skoshi Tigers lost their chance against the enemy's MiG fighters, so they changed their targets to Viet Cong troops in Laos, and air-refuelling were needed for these combat missions in Laos. From the start of the Phase II combat evaluation on 3rd January 1966 to their end on the 30th, Skoshi Tigers flew almost 400 sorties and successfully destroyed six bridges.

The Phase III combat evaluation tests started on 2nd February 1966 when the Skoshi Tigers returned to Bien Hoa AFB, and their primary mission was to support the third Army Corps. During these days (the duration of the Phase III combat test, depending on different source was 10 to 21 days), Skoshi Tigers made 348 combat sorties, the combat load carried by the Skoshi Tigers during this phase averaged 2,603 lbs per sortie.

Though the original plan was scheduled that the Skoshi Tiger program would be ended after the end of Phase III combat missions, 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron returned to Da Nang AFB on 20th February 1966 again because USAF still wanted to find chances to test the true survivability of F-5C fighters in combat zones with heavy anti-air defense in North Vietnam, also they wanted a chance to prove that F-5C fighters could counter any Communist MiG fighters, so the original Skoshi Tiger program was extended to Phase IV at that time. During the first week, because of bad weather conditions, F-5C fighters were driven away from Laos, but since the weather got better on 1st March 1966, they obtained permission to conduct their combat test missions on the borders of North Vietnam and South Vietnam for the first time. The Skoshi Tigers not only did ground attack role but some of them also carried two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles to perform air escort missions for allied aircraft, they logged 176 combat sorties on 45 missions over North Vietnam and Laos area, also they spent 5,923 rounds of 20 mm ammunition and 543 M117 750 lb bombs during these combat missions until 10th March 1966.

On 8th March 1966, the Skoshi Tiger program was finally ended, but another squadron called 10th Fighter Commando Squadron was established at Bien Hoa AFB soon after (some sources suggest that they just changed their name from the original 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron to the new 10th Fighter Commando Squadron). Seven additional F-5 fighters without air-refuelling equipment were assigned to the new squadron which increased the total amount of aircraft to 18. Some sources say that 10th Fighter Commando Squadron was assigned to 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing of USAF at Bien Hoa AFB until 17th April 1967 and their aircraft and equipment were transferred to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force, but another source claimed that the reason that these F-5 fighters removed their air-refuelling equipment was because the Republic of Vietnam Air Force lacked tankers at that time, also Americans didn't want them to invade the North Vietnam area without a permit, which means it was assigned to Republic of Vietnam Air Force at that time. At that time, Skoshi Tiger's name was retained by the pilots of the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron, also some pilots decided to paint tiger stripes on their flight helmet.

Since the new 57 mm anti-air gun had been introduced into the North Vietnam Army by the end of 1966, the NVA finally found their approach to fight against the F-5C Skoshi Tiger formations at medium to high altitudes. From 8th March 1967 to 17th April 1967, the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron conducted 7,321 combat sorties, and 7,537 hours had been flown, including close air support and against missions enemy supply routes. A large amount of munitions had been expended by Skoshi Tigers for these combat missions, including 9,777 napalm canisters, 875 CBU bombs, and 778,566 20 mm rounds, and eight aircraft had been lost, including six aircraft due to ground fire and two aircraft due to engine failure. Seventeen aircraft had received battle damage.

In October 1966, the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron received a new mission at Bien Hoa AFB: to train new Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots to fly the F-5 fighters for combat missions, and maintenance personnel of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force were trained to maintain the F-5 fighters. At last, twelve remaining F-5A and F-5C fighters were turned over to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force at Bien Hoa AFB on 17th April 1967 from the deactivation of the USAF squadron.

[[File:F-5 fighter jet of NVA.png|thumb|356x356px|F-5 fighter in NVA service]]
Like their American ally, the Republic of Vietnam Air Force also used their F-5 fighters in close air support and supply route missions in the South Vietnam area, which helped the Republic of Vietnam Army a lot in many campaigns. From 1974 to 1975, the North Vietnam Army launched huge offensives from all directions into the Republic of Vietnam, which destroyed many Republic of Vietnam Army forces while occupying many of the Republic of Vietnam's territories, though in many cases, F-5 fighters, A-1 attackers, A-37 attackers and Armed helicopters successfully helped the allied army break the enemy's offensive or carry out retreat operations. However, as the North Vietnamese army gradually occupied the territories of South Vietnam, many Air Force bases were captured by the North Vietnamese army, and F-5 fighters that had not yet taken off or were damaged were captured by North Vietnamese army too. Because of the risk that the US government would send their Combat Forces back to Vietnam, the senior commander of North Vietnam Forces didn't want to use their MiG fighters during these invasion operations, therefore, some of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots who surrendered before were ordered to re-fly their F-5 fighters to attack the positions of the South Vietnamese army, even one time a F-5 fighter dropped a bomb on the square of the presidential palace in Saigon.

As the Vietnam War was finally ended in 1975, the new Vietnam government decided to transfer some American military equipment, such as F-5 fighters, A-37 attackers, and UH-1 helicopters, to the Soviet Union and China in exchange for more support. In China, the captured F-5A Freedom Fighter sent by the Vietnam government was tested with their own J-6 fighter, and it was found that the air combat performance of F-5A fighter not only could completely match their own J-6 fighter, but it also had much better ground attack capability, apart from that, the manufacturing process, aerodynamic design, airborne equipment and other parts of the F-5A fighter also had left a deep impression on Chinese aircraft engineers.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f-5c Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== 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 ==


* [[wt:en/news/7166-development-top-gun-day-premium-f-5c-in-red-menace-camo-for-pre-order-en|[Devblog] Top Gun Day: Premium F-5C in Red Menace camo for pre-order!]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/519024-f-5a/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Northrop}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}
{{USA premium aircraft}}

F-16AJ

2023-08-07T04:30:19Z

U93209642: /* Flight performance */

{{About
| about = Japanese jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F-16 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f_16aj
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' represents the proposed introduction of an F-16 closely resembling a YF-16 into JASDF service, as suggested by General Dynamics. The JASDF had plans to select a winner from 13 candidates proposed by different aircraft companies as part of a program to replace its ageing fleet of F-104Js and to serve alongside their F-4EJ aircraft. Ultimately, the program came down to a choice between the F-14, F-15, and F-16 where the F-15 emerged as the victor, becoming the F-15J.

Introduced in [[Update "Sky Guardians"]], the F-16AJ is currently one of only two truly multirole F-16s in the game, alongside the ROCAF's [[F-16A MLU (China)|F-16A MLU]]. The F-16AJ also marks the introduction of the AGM-65 series into JASDF service, providing much-anticipated precision air-to-ground weaponry for Japanese pilots. With one of the latest airborne radars in the game and weapon systems mostly identical to other F-16 variants, the F-16AJ now presents a good option for players who require both air interception and ground attack capabilities. Its available payloads will not disappoint players.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 10,973 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,103 || 2,072 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.0 || 20.2 || 262.9 || 250.8 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,209 || 2,156 || 19.0 || 19.5 || 350.9 || 305.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1,555  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || - || 470 || 463 || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || > ___
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full internal fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 || 1
| colspan="2" | 7,690 kg || colspan="2" | 392 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with internal fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 29m fuel
|-
| 1,470 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning low-bypass turbofan
| 8,662 kg || 9,913 kg || 10,930 kg || 16,848 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 29m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 6,490 kgf || 8,985 kgf
| 1.04 || 0.90 || 0.82 || 0.53
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 7,434 kgf (1,555 km/h) || 15,225 kgf (1,400 km/h)
| 1.76 || 1.53 || 1.39 || 0.90
|-
|}
Interestingly the F-16 AJ is the only F-16 variant to feature Air-to-Air missiles and lighter airframe.

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

As a result of its role as a light fighter aircraft, the F-16AJ lacks any armour protection at all. In addition to this, a significant portion of the F-16AJ's internal volume is occupied by self-sealing fuel tanks, making the aircraft prone to being set on fire when hit. Generally, the F-16AJ will suffer a significant hit to its performance when critically damaged to the point where the aircraft can irrecoverably spin out of control if turning too hard with asymmetrical damage. Finally, the F-16AJ only has one engine, meaning that engine damage is critical. The F-16AJ's smaller overall size and superb mid speed manoeuvrability lends well to it being able to get out of the way of enemy gunfire in close range dogfights.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! Lead indicator
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|JM61A1 (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 20 mm JM61A1 cannon, port wing root-mounted (512 rpg)
* 60 x countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="5%" | 1 !! width="5%" | 2 !! width="5%" | 3 !! width="5%" | 4 !! width="5%" | 5 !! width="5%" | 6 !! width="5%" | 7 !! width="5%" | 8 !! width="5%" | 9
| rowspan="11" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_F-16A.png]]</div>
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|500 lb LDGP Mk 82]] bombs
| || || 3 || 3, 6 || 1 || 3, 6 || 3 || ||
|-
! [[Mk 82 Snakeye (500 lb)|500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye]] bombs
| || || 3 || 3, 6 || 1 || 3, 6 || 3 || ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)|2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84]] bombs
| || || 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[FFAR Mighty Mouse]] rockets
| || || 57 || || || || 57 || ||
|-
! [[AGM-65B]] missiles
| || || 1, 3 || || || || 1, 3 || ||
|-
! [[AIM-7F Sparrow]] missiles
| || || 1 || || || || 1 || ||
|-
! [[AIM-9L Sidewinder]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || || || || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[AIM-9P Sidewinder]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || || || || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! 300 gal drop tanks
| || || || || 1 || || || ||
|-
| colspan="10" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 2,000 kg
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 1 x 300 gal drop tank
* 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles
* 6 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles
* 6 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
* 2 x AIM-7F Sparrow missiles
* 19 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (9,500 lb total)
* 19 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (9,500 lb total)
* 4 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (8,000 lb total)
* 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 6 x AGM-65B missiles
{{Navigation-End}}

== 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:'''

* Excellent acceleration and climb rate at any speed and highly manoeuvrable at low to medium speeds
* Excellent 20 mm Vulcan cannon, with high precision, fire rate, and damage
* Able to carry a drop tank to increase flight time
* Can carry 6 powerful air-to-air missiles, such as 6 x [[AIM-9L Sidewinder]] or 4 x [[AIM-9L Sidewinder]] with 2 x [[AIM-7F Sparrow|AIM-7F]]
* 360° unobstructed bubble canopy perfect for simulator battles
* Capable of carrying an extremely diverse wide range of bombs, rockets and AGM-65Bs

'''Cons:'''

* Internal M61 cannon has a low ammo pool and trigger time
* No thermal imaging pod for ground attack purposes
* Control surfaces compress above 850 km/h, greatly decreasing the manoeuvrability above this speed
* Very high fuel consumption with afterburner on, and high engine temperature

== History ==

Historically, the JASDF was not a user of the F-16 series (though USINDOPACOM operates the F-16C in Japanese airbases). In the 1970s, the Japanese government was seeking to replace its outdated fleet of F-104J Starfighters in response to advances in the aircraft technology of neighbouring countries. As such, they launched a program and eventually got 13 proposals from different aircraft companies, including the Grumman F-14, McDonnell Douglas F-15, and General Dynamics F-16. After much consideration and testing, the program was narrowed down to just the F-14, F-15, and F-16. Discussion and flight tests continued and the F-15 prevailed as the winner of the competition, shattering any hopes for the F-16AJ, and ultimately any F-16 to see service with the JASDF.

Even though the F-16 proposal failed, a derivative of the F-16 was chosen by Japan in order to serve as a multirole aircraft for the FS-X program. This aircraft ultimately became known as the Mitsubishi F-2, which is still in service with the JASDF today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f_16aj Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
{{Skin-gallery |market|ugcitem_1001426|F-16AJ Representing the 501st Squadron.jpg|Camo "Representing the 501st Squadron"}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[F-16 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8121-development-f-16aj-cover-boy-en|[Devblog] F-16AJ: Cover-boy]]

{{AirManufacturer General Dynamics}}
{{Japan jet aircraft}}

AGM-12B Bullpup

2022-12-13T18:40:10Z

U93209642: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = air-to-ground missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = AGM-12C Bullpup
}}
== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage AGM-12B Bullpup.png|thumb|left|420px|The AGM-12B Bullpup missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an American manually guided air-to-ground missile. It was introduced during [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]].

The AGM-12B, also known as ASM-N-7a, was created in 1960 as an upgrade from the test series ASM-N-7 and was named officially as AGM-12B in 1962. The AGM was powered by a Thiokol LR58-RM-4 liquid propellant motor to produce a range of up to 11 km and produced a thrust of 12,000 pounds or 53 Kn. The production of AGM-12B ended in 1970 and 22,000 were produced.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f-4c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-8e}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|scimitar_f1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|dh_110_sea_vixen}}
{{Navigation-Line|F-5}}{{Specs-Link|f-5a}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-5a_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-5c}}
{{Navigation-Line|F-100}}{{Specs-Link|f-100a_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-100d}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Strike aircraft'''}}{{Specs-Link|fj_4b_agm_12b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-105d}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-4}}{{Specs-Link|a_4b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a_4e_early}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a_4n}}
{{Navigation-Line|Buccaneer}}{{Specs-Link|buccaneer_s1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|buccaneer_s2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attack helicopters'''}}{{Specs-Link|h_34}}

{{Navigation-End}}

== General info ==


{| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-table;text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Aircraft-mounted characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 259 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || Manual (MCLOS)
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 455 m/s
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 30 secs
|-
| '''Firing range''' || 8 km
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 58.05 kg TNTeq
|-
| '''Armour penetration''' || 73 mm
|-
|'''Warhead Type'''
|
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-table;text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Helicopter-mounted characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 259 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || Semi-automatic (SACLOS)
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 455 m/s
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 30 secs
|-
| '''Firing range''' || 11 km
|-
| '''Guaranteed launch range''' || 8 km
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 58.05 kg TNTeq
|-
| '''Armour penetration''' || 73 mm
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===
High explosive with low splash damage over a medium area. Comparable explosive power to a 250 lb. bomb.

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==
This missile is best used to take out tight groups of light tanks or AA units. Can be used to destroy AAA and Howitzer emplacements.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Medium radius of destruction
* Long range

'''Cons:'''

* Hard to control
* Hard to keep track of the missile at long range
* Heavy missile that will deteriorate your flight performance
* Small explosive mass

== History ==

Development of the AGM-12 Bullpup began in the early 1950s, after the Korean War sparked a demand for more precise, guided, weapon systems that could hit targets which were usually more difficult to hit with conventional ordnance. Apart from that, the new weapon system ought to increase the safety of ground attack aircraft and their crews by keeping them further away from returning ground fire.

A competition was ran by the U.S. Navy and the Martin company was awarded a contract in 1954. Work on the new missile, designated ASM-N-7, began and after several years of development and testing, the new weapon system entered service with the Navy in April 1959.

The design of the American first air-to-ground missile was fairly simple - a 250lb (113 kg) warhead derived from an aerial bomb, mounted on a rocket-propelled, roll-stabilized body. The entire missile was manually guided via radio signal to its target, using direct vision. To aid with aiming, two bright flares would ignite on the missile's rear end upon launch. These would make it easier for the operator to keep track of the missile in flight as it would be more visible.

The Bullpup was first employed in combat during the Vietnam War, although only seeing limited success. This was due to the fact that in order to ensure the highest probability of a successful hit, the aircraft that launched the missile had to fly the same course as the missile until impact. This of course, exposed the aircraft to anti-air fire and severely limited the pilot/operator's situational awareness in the case of single-seat aircraft.

Nonetheless, the Bullpup was still mass-produced for both the U.S. Navy and Army, resulting in around 30,000 units made across all of the weapon's variants. Although the missile was starting to be replaced in the '70s by more advanced systems, it wasn't until the '80s when the Bullpup was finally retired from active service.

''- From [[wt:en/news/5722-development-agm-12b-bullpup-they-can-t-dodge-en|Devblog]]''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[AGM-12C Bullpup]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/5722-development-agm-12b-bullpup-they-can-t-dodge-en|[Devblog] AGM-12B Bullpup: They can't dodge]]

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

AGM-12C Bullpup

2022-12-13T18:32:55Z

U93209642: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = air-to-ground missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = AGM-12B Bullpup
}}
== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage AGM-12C Bullpup.png|thumb|left|420px|The AGM-12C Bullpup missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an American manually-guided air-to-ground missile. It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]].

The AGM-12C entered service with the USAF in 1965, by Lockheed Martin. The warhead was semi-armour piercing and weighed 450 kg. The motor generated 33,000 pounds of thrust or 147 Kn, to produce a range of 16 km. The total amount produced was around 4,600 for the C variant.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|a_4e_early}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-4c}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-4e}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-105d}}

== General info ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 810 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || Manual (MCLOS)
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 445 m/s
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 30 secs
|-
| '''Firing range''' || 16 km
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 136.5 kg TNTeq
|-
| '''Armour penetration''' || 83 mm
|}

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe situations when you would utilize this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Extremely High Explosive mass (for an AGM)
* Good armour-piercing capabilities
* 16 km maximum range

'''Cons:'''

* Slow speed and acceleration
* Command-guidance control
* Significant overall weight

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-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>.''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[AGM-12B Bullpup]]

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

AGM-12B Bullpup

2022-12-13T18:23:21Z

U93209642: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = air-to-ground missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = AGM-12C Bullpup
}}
== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage AGM-12B Bullpup.png|thumb|left|420px|The AGM-12B Bullpup missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an American manually guided air-to-ground missile. It was introduced during [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]].

The AGM-12B, also known as ASM-N-7a, was created in 1960 as an upgrade from the test series ASM-N-7 and was named officially as AGM-12B in 1962. The AGM was powered by a Thiokol LR58-RM-4 liquid propellant motor to produce a range of up to 11 km and produced a thrust of 12,000 pounds or 53 Kn. The production of AGM-12B ended in 1970 and 22,000 were produced.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f-4c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-8e}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|scimitar_f1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|dh_110_sea_vixen}}
{{Navigation-Line|F-5}}{{Specs-Link|f-5a}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-5a_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-5c}}
{{Navigation-Line|F-100}}{{Specs-Link|f-100a_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-100d}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Strike aircraft'''}}{{Specs-Link|fj_4b_agm_12b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-105d}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-4}}{{Specs-Link|a_4b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a_4e_early}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a_4n}}
{{Navigation-Line|Buccaneer}}{{Specs-Link|buccaneer_s1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|buccaneer_s2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attack helicopters'''}}{{Specs-Link|h_34}}

{{Navigation-End}}

== General info ==


{| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-table;text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Aircraft-mounted characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 259 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || Manual (MCLOS)
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 455 m/s
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 30 secs
|-
| '''Firing range''' || 8 km
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 58.05 kg TNTeq
|-
| '''Armour penetration''' || 73 mm
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-table;text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Helicopter-mounted characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 259 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || Semi-automatic (SACLOS)
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 455 m/s
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 30 secs
|-
| '''Firing range''' || 11 km
|-
| '''Guaranteed launch range''' || 8 km
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 58.05 kg TNTeq
|-
| '''Armour penetration''' || 73 mm
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==
This missile is best used to take out tight groups of light tanks or AAA units. It does deal damage to bases but significantly less than a bomb or incendiary of equal weight.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Medium radius of destruction
* Long range

'''Cons:'''

* Hard to control
* Hard to keep track of the missile at long range
* Heavy missile that will deteriorate your flight performance
* Small explosive mass

== History ==

Development of the AGM-12 Bullpup began in the early 1950s, after the Korean War sparked a demand for more precise, guided, weapon systems that could hit targets which were usually more difficult to hit with conventional ordnance. Apart from that, the new weapon system ought to increase the safety of ground attack aircraft and their crews by keeping them further away from returning ground fire.

A competition was ran by the U.S. Navy and the Martin company was awarded a contract in 1954. Work on the new missile, designated ASM-N-7, began and after several years of development and testing, the new weapon system entered service with the Navy in April 1959.

The design of the American first air-to-ground missile was fairly simple - a 250lb (113 kg) warhead derived from an aerial bomb, mounted on a rocket-propelled, roll-stabilized body. The entire missile was manually guided via radio signal to its target, using direct vision. To aid with aiming, two bright flares would ignite on the missile's rear end upon launch. These would make it easier for the operator to keep track of the missile in flight as it would be more visible.

The Bullpup was first employed in combat during the Vietnam War, although only seeing limited success. This was due to the fact that in order to ensure the highest probability of a successful hit, the aircraft that launched the missile had to fly the same course as the missile until impact. This of course, exposed the aircraft to anti-air fire and severely limited the pilot/operator's situational awareness in the case of single-seat aircraft.

Nonetheless, the Bullpup was still mass-produced for both the U.S. Navy and Army, resulting in around 30,000 units made across all of the weapon's variants. Although the missile was starting to be replaced in the '70s by more advanced systems, it wasn't until the '80s when the Bullpup was finally retired from active service.

''- From [[wt:en/news/5722-development-agm-12b-bullpup-they-can-t-dodge-en|Devblog]]''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[AGM-12C Bullpup]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/5722-development-agm-12b-bullpup-they-can-t-dodge-en|[Devblog] AGM-12B Bullpup: They can't dodge]]

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

AGM-12B Bullpup

2022-12-13T18:21:10Z

U93209642: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = air-to-ground missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = AGM-12C Bullpup
}}
== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage AGM-12B Bullpup.png|thumb|left|420px|The AGM-12B Bullpup missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an American manually guided air-to-ground missile. It was introduced during [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]].

The AGM-12B, also known as ASM-N-7a, was created in 1960 as an upgrade from the test series ASM-N-7 and was named officially as AGM-12B in 1962. The AGM was powered by a Thiokol LR58-RM-4 liquid propellant motor to produce a range of up to 11 km and produced a thrust of 12,000 pounds or 53 Kn. The production of AGM-12B ended in 1970 and 22,000 were produced.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f-4c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-8e}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|scimitar_f1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|dh_110_sea_vixen}}
{{Navigation-Line|F-5}}{{Specs-Link|f-5a}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-5a_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-5c}}
{{Navigation-Line|F-100}}{{Specs-Link|f-100a_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-100d}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Strike aircraft'''}}{{Specs-Link|fj_4b_agm_12b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-105d}}
{{Navigation-Line|A-4}}{{Specs-Link|a_4b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a_4e_early}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a_4n}}
{{Navigation-Line|Buccaneer}}{{Specs-Link|buccaneer_s1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|buccaneer_s2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Attack helicopters'''}}{{Specs-Link|h_34}}

{{Navigation-End}}

== General info ==


{| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-table;text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Aircraft-mounted characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 259 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || Manual (MCLOS)
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 455 m/s
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 30 secs
|-
| '''Firing range''' || 8 km
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 58.05 kg TNTeq
|-
| '''Armour penetration''' || 73 mm
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-table;text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Helicopter-mounted characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 259 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || Semi-automatic (SACLOS)
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 455 m/s
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 30 secs
|-
| '''Firing range''' || 11 km
|-
| '''Guaranteed launch range''' || 8 km
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 58.05 kg TNTeq
|-
| '''Armour penetration''' || 73 mm
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==
This missile is best used to take out tight groups of light tanks or AAA units. It does deal damage to bases but significantly less than a bomb or incendiary of equal weight.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Large radius of destruction
* Long range

'''Cons:'''

* Hard to control
* Hard to keep track of the missile at long range
* Heavy missile that will deteriorate your flight performance

== History ==

Development of the AGM-12 Bullpup began in the early 1950s, after the Korean War sparked a demand for more precise, guided, weapon systems that could hit targets which were usually more difficult to hit with conventional ordnance. Apart from that, the new weapon system ought to increase the safety of ground attack aircraft and their crews by keeping them further away from returning ground fire.

A competition was ran by the U.S. Navy and the Martin company was awarded a contract in 1954. Work on the new missile, designated ASM-N-7, began and after several years of development and testing, the new weapon system entered service with the Navy in April 1959.

The design of the American first air-to-ground missile was fairly simple - a 250lb (113 kg) warhead derived from an aerial bomb, mounted on a rocket-propelled, roll-stabilized body. The entire missile was manually guided via radio signal to its target, using direct vision. To aid with aiming, two bright flares would ignite on the missile's rear end upon launch. These would make it easier for the operator to keep track of the missile in flight as it would be more visible.

The Bullpup was first employed in combat during the Vietnam War, although only seeing limited success. This was due to the fact that in order to ensure the highest probability of a successful hit, the aircraft that launched the missile had to fly the same course as the missile until impact. This of course, exposed the aircraft to anti-air fire and severely limited the pilot/operator's situational awareness in the case of single-seat aircraft.

Nonetheless, the Bullpup was still mass-produced for both the U.S. Navy and Army, resulting in around 30,000 units made across all of the weapon's variants. Although the missile was starting to be replaced in the '70s by more advanced systems, it wasn't until the '80s when the Bullpup was finally retired from active service.

''- From [[wt:en/news/5722-development-agm-12b-bullpup-they-can-t-dodge-en|Devblog]]''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[AGM-12C Bullpup]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/5722-development-agm-12b-bullpup-they-can-t-dodge-en|[Devblog] AGM-12B Bullpup: They can't dodge]]

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]