F-5A

This page is about the American jet fighter F-5A. For other versions, see F-5 (Family).

F-5A

F-5A

USA

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
10.3	10.7	10.7

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Purchase:Bundle or Gift

MARKET

Description

The F-5A Freedom Fighter is a gift rank VII American jet fighter with a battle rating of 10.3 (AB) and 10.7 (RB/SB). It was introduced during Update "Direct Hit" as a reward for the 2021 Export Order event.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Drogue parachute

Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway

Max speed

at 10 668 m1 444 km/h

Turn time27 s

Max altitude15 240 m

Engine2 х General Electric J85-GE-13

TypeJet

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight24 t

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 10,668 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	1,429	1,421	15240	27.1	28.2	112.4	99.2	850
Upgraded	___	___		__._	__._	__._	__._

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
✓	✓	✓	✓	X	✓

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1458	444	926	560	555	~11	~5

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 680	< 750	< 700	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
General Electric J85-GE-13		2	4,051 kg		365 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)				Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		11m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	37m fuel
271 kg	Afterburning axial-flow turbojet		4,580 kg	4,992 kg	5,462 kg	5,814 kg	9,000 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			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

Flares/Chaff

Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural1 458 km/h

Gear444 km/h

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 169 → 4 281

RB10 039 → 13 562

SB9 243 → 12 487

Total cost of modifications226 500

353 000

Talisman cost2 800

Crew training200 000

Experts710 000

Aces2 800

Research Aces1 080 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

130 / 340 / 600 %

232 / 232 / 232 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 340 Compressor Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 340 New boosters Research: 10 000 Cost: 16 000 380 Wings repair Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 530 Engine Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 530 G-suit Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 560	Airframe Research: 10 000 Cost: 16 000 380 Cover Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 560	Flares/Chaff Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 340 Mk82 Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 340 BLU-1 Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 340 t_160_belt_pack Research: 10 000 Cost: 16 000 380 M117 Research: 10 000 Cost: 16 000 380 LAU-3/A Research: 10 000 Cost: 16 000 380 Mk83 Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 530 LAU-10/A Research: 14 000 Cost: 22 000 530 t_160_new_gun Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 560 Mk84 Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 560 AGM-12B Bullpup Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 560

Armaments

Offensive armament

The F-5A 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 (280 rpg = 560 total) + 60 x countermeasures

Suspended armament

The F-5A can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 2 x AIM-9B 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 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)
• 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
• 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
• 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 18 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (4,500 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 5 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,500 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 5 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (3,750 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
• 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles (2,000 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
• 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
• 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
• 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
• 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
• 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 3 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (1,500 lb total)
• 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 1 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bomb (1,000 lb total)
• 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 3 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (1,500 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 1 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bomb (1,000 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets (1,500 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 3 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (1,500 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bomb (1,000 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles (750 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 1 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bomb (500 lb total)
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 1 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bomb (1,000 lb total)

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".

Pros:

Cons:

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the F-5A 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

• [Devblog] “Export Order”: F-5A (USA)