Northrop F-5E Tiger II

Mystery Spotter 🇺🇸

12 May 2026 · © Old man

Just landed to refuel

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Aircraft

F-5E Tiger II F-5E

USAF Aggressor (camouflage)

Manufacturer

Northrop

Achievements

Vintage Voyager, Military Maverick

2 badges earned

Location

Fort Smith Regional Airport

FSM/KFSM

35.3366, -94.3674

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Fort Smith Regional Airport FSM

Airport

Insights

Aviation History

The Northrop F-5E Tiger II is a lightweight supersonic fighter used extensively by the USAF and many other air forces worldwide. It is most well-known for its role as an aggressor in air combat training, simulating enemy aircraft for pilot training.

Fleet Rarity

These are now relatively rare in US military service, mainly found in aggressor squadrons.

Safety & Events

Has served for decades in aggressor/adversary squadrons; widely exported; minimal major incidents due to its training/adversary nature.

Future Outlook

Most remaining F-5Es are nearing retirement; some airframes are already preserved or sold to civilian/aggressor contractors.

Specifications

2 × General Electric J85-GE-21B turbojets

Engine

8.13 m

Wingspan

14.45 m

Length

2,530 km

Range

1,475 km/h

Speed

Pilot 1 (two-seater variant); primarily single-seat

Capacity

11,187 kg

MTOW

4.06 m

Height

2 × 22.2 kN (5,000 lbf)

Thrust