While delivery of the Mach 1.5 (990 miles per hour) capable
FA-50PH this Friday will regenerate the supersonic capability of the Philippine
Air Force, it is interesting to note that the PAFwas one of the first military
units to operate the faster-than-sound Northrop F-5 "Tiger" jet
fighter.
The F-5 was acquired to replace the subsonic North American
F-86 "Sabrejets" which the country's fighter squadrons was then
equipped.
The F-5 has a top speed of Mach 1.6 (roughly 1,060 miles per
hour) and a combat range of 760 nautical miles.
The PAF version of the F-5 is armed with two 20mm automatic
cannons and wingtip fitted AIM-9s "Sidewinder" heat-seeking missiles.
The F-5 was a very maneuverable fighter and could turn and
dogfight well its larger and more capable counterparts.
At the time, the Philippines
was one of the largest operator of the aircraft in Southeast
Asia .
The F-5A/Bs were used by the PAF's "Blue Diamonds
Aerobatic" team, underwent an upgrade which equipped it with surplus
AN/APQ-153 with significant overhaul at the end of the 1970s to stretch their
service life another 15 years.
The aircraft was used for air and ground attack missions by
the PAF.
In 2005, the Philippines
decommissioned its remaining F-5A/B fleet, including those received from Taiwan and South Korea
Its air defense tasking was then passed on the subsonic
SIAI-Marchetti S-211 jet trainers.
The said aircraft will be doing this mission until the
commissioning of the FA-50PH later this year.
The F-5 started life as a privately funded light fighter
program by Northrop in the 1950s.
The first-generation F-5A entered service in the 1960s.
During the Cold War, over 800 were produced through 1972 for
US allies.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=831022
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