Canadair CF-5 Freedom Fighter (CF-116)

History of the Air Canada CF-5 Freedom Fighter (CF-116)

When the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) upgraded its legacy fighter/bomber fleet from the 1950s, they chose the light, low-cost American Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter as the CF-5 (officially as "CF-116") locally produced by Air Canada. The Canadian version differs from the J85 in improved short-field operation (via a "dual-position" nose cone), a nose-mounted aerial refueling probe, interchangeable nose assemblies (for fighter or reconnaissance missions), and Improved Navigation Kit and Engine-15 Series from Orenda (General Electric). The CF-5 first flew in 1968 and entered service on November 5 of that year.

220 examples of this type were eventually realized and in service with the air forces of the Netherlands and Venezuela, as well as a few other operators. The Dutch NF-5 arrived in March 1969.

Changes to the original F-5 were issued to meet RCAF requirements and result in an improved product form of the original US product. The takeoff distance from the runway is shortened due to the new nose cone, which can increase lift by changing the angle of attack. Flying probes allow for extended squadron mission duration windows, and new navigation system designs are more advanced. Local engine manufacturing means the local Canadian aviation industry benefits, while airframes are produced from factories in Canada and the Netherlands through a partnership with Fokker (the first 31 airframes are from Fokker).

Interchangeable nose assemblies allow for a "quick change" from a basic fighter-facing nose section to a camera-laden reconnaissance assembly - while the aircraft maintains its combat capability.

The Canada-Dutch agreement was signed in 1967, with a portion of production split between the two countries, and early Belgian interest in the CF-5 eventually dwindled to zero, leaving just two players. Air Canada has a long history of producing American-designed aircraft, including the North American F-86 "Sabre" (as the CL-13), the Lockheed T-33 "Shooting Star" (as the CT-133 "Silver Star" ) and the Lockheed F-104 "Starfighter" (CF-104).

The CF-5 has a barrel length of 47 feet, a wingspan of 25.9 feet, and a height of 13 feet. From the outside, it's designed along nearly the same lines as the original Northrop F-5 offering, requiring a keen observer to really appreciate the physical differences between the two designs. Powered by 2 Orenda J85-15 4,300 lbf turbojet afterburning engines, it can reach a top speed of Mach 1.3 (~980 mph), a range of 660 miles, a ceiling of service of 41,000 feet and a rate of climb of 34,400 feet per minute .

Standard armament became 2 x 20mm Pontiac M39A2 cannons, each armed with 280 x 20mm projectiles for close range work. Five external hardpoints (four under the wings, one in the center fuselage) provide launch points for missile pods, conventionally dropped bombs, and jettisonable fuel tanks (for longer range).

The wingtip stations retain the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile launch capability of the original F-5 Freedom fighter design.

The first Canadian production models were the CF-5A single-seat, 89 of which were built and officially designated CF-116A. The CF-5A(R) is a single-seat reconnaissance aircraft under the operational designation CF-116A(R). CF-5D is a two-seat model reserved for training, numbered 46 examples. Canada's CF-5 was completely phased out by 1995.

Several CF-5s have been saved for display across Canada.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force followed, with single- and two-seat versions - 75 NF-5As and 30 NF-5Bs were produced. With the introduction of the Dutch General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, the stock was eventually sold to Greece, Turkey and Venezuela.

The last NF-5 retired from front-line service in 1991.

Specification

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Performance

Armor

Changes