The F-5 fighter planes were first designed and built in the 1960s by Northrop in the United States.  It is a supersonic fighter suitable for a wide range of ground-support and aerial intercept missions. 

• In a fighter configuration, the F-5 plane is 47 feet long and has a 25 foot wingspan. 

• The fighter is powered by two  
  General Electric J85-GE-13 turbojets. 

• The F-5 has a maximum take-off weight of  24,644# and a maximum speed of 925 mph (1.4 Mach) with a service ceiling of 50,500 feet.

• The F-5 was produced in several different versions ( fighter, recon, two-seat trainers) and is still widely 
  used by foreign air forces.

More than 2,000 F-5 aircraft have been purchased by allied nations. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) procures a significant number of spare parts for the F-5 as part of its Foreign Military Sales support mission.