chile Northrop F-5E Tiger III Plus

[Chilean_Thunder 89]

Northrop F-5E Tiger III Plus  

 

 

 

 

 

History

Spoiler

 

On July 26, 1976, Chile purchased 15 F-5E Tiger II (J-800 to J-814) and 3 F-5F (J-815 to J-817) from Northrop. The FACH (Chilean Air Force) indicated that a dorsal fin be added to increase directional stability, in addition to allowing the installation of additional navigation equipment , which differentiates it from the rest of the standard F-5.

 

Northrop delivered them with the system to install the AIM-9B Sidewinder air-to-air, but due to the boycott that Chile suffered from the United States in the 70-80s, the Chilean Air Force enabled them to carry the Shaffrir . After a while, relations with the United States improved a bit and at the end of the 80s, Chile decided to begin improvements in avionics, electronics, and weapons systems, concluding that the F-5 Plus system offered by I.A.I. was the most appropriate. To begin with, 2 planes were sent to Israel, the single-seater 805, plus the two-seater 817 to start the conversions, which would be called TIGER III. The following conversions to the new standard were then carried out in Chile by the national company ENAER.

 

In June 1993 the I.A.I. presents in Le Bourget, the converted FACH 809 (actually it was the 805), which had a very special camouflage; In the front part of the plane you can see painted "F-5 PLUS" and in the tail part a "III with a tiger" which symbolizes the new standard.

 

Chilean F-5 improved to the new standard

 

 

first update

In March 1990, Chile became a more stable country again, and with a new government, for this reason, the United States sanctions had been completely eliminated. FACH began a study for the modernization of its entire batch of F-5 Tiger II and finally the Israeli "Tiger Plus" package was chosen and a US$300 million contract was signed in March 1990 with the IAI - Israel Aerospace Industries. for the modernization of 12 F-5E and 3 F-5F. The program was designed by the FACH and was designated the F-5E Tiger III.

 

Radar

the new F-5E Tiger III received an israeli ELTA EL/M-2032B radar (developed by Elta Electronics) instead of the original Emerson APQ 159 V5 radar. ELTA's EL/M-2032B Radar is an advanced multi-mode pulse Doppler radar (MMR) with look-down and shoot-down capability, and provides a high-resolution map of the earth to enable low-altitude flights with an estimated range. of 100 km, something that the old radar did not allow and this meant a significant improvement in detection and situational awareness for the pilot.

 

 

ELTA EL/M-2032B radar

 

 

Electronic equipment

The cockpit has been greatly improved compared to the F-5E, which had an excess of analog instruments. On the F-5E Tiger III panel it has two 5x7-inch monochrome multifunction displays to provide mission data in order to facilitate the pilot's work by providing critical information and two new mission computers . In the cockpit there is a HUD that has all the navigation information for the achievement of the objective, providing a complete tactical picture, and therefore increasing the "situational awareness" on the part of the pilot. Another improvement was the installation in the cabin of an OBOGS oxygen generation system that produces its own oxygen. It also incorporates a HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) control to reduce the pilot's workload and speed up his response capacity in combat, to the extent that all the important systems for managing the flight and combat situation are triggered in the HOTAS accelerator. In the F-5 Tiger III new Martin Baker MK10 ejection seats were installed, air conditioning system , integration with the Israeli DASH helmet , as HMD (Helmet Mounted Display), for radar altimeter instrument landing systems. The Chilean company DTS installed the EWPS-100 for Electronic Warfare , based on a 360° RWR (radar warning system) system. This system detects and notifies the pilot about the radar emissions that are reaching the aircraft, being able to activate DM/A-202 chaff and flare launchers and an A-401 Jammer for self-protection from electronic interference. The F-5 also received a complete structural overhaul that allowed it a longer useful life of 20 years.

 

 

New electronic equipment

 

 

Chilean F-5 Tiger III pilots wearing Israeli DASH helmets

 

 

As of 1994, the first TIGRE III began to be delivered, which were converted in Chile. In 1997 the in-flight refueling probe was installed by ENAER.

 

Chilean F-5 Tiger III being refueled in flight

 

 

 

 

avionics

At the beginning of the 21st century, the avionics were already becoming obsolete, so the FACH decided to carry out more improvements implemented nationally, the national company ENAER (National Aeronautical Company of Chile) was in charge of carrying out all these improvements, which would add the "Plus" denomination to the Chilean Tiger III. new avionics were added, such as an INS GPS/Inertial Navigation System , a second auxiliary GPS , and new HF/VHF/UHF radios with data link capabilities . With these improvements, the Tiger III could send and receive data to other aircraft without giving away its position.

 

In addition to these improvements, other things were added, among which are the new Chaff/Flare radar alert reception system , new NVG night vision systems , which allow night operations to be safer, and a new low visibility CCIP/CCRP that continuously calculates the point of departure and the point of delivery of weapons that greatly improves the ability of aircraft in air-to-ground missions. The new HUD (Head Up Display) has a color video camera and digital video recorder. It has compatibility with the "pod" Litening Rafael.

 

 

 

Weapons

The EL/M-2032B ELTA radar can be used to provide data to a missile attack of various nationalities, such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, MICA, R-Darter, Derby, or even Russian missiles. However, FACH has equipped its F-5 Tiger III Plus with short-range missiles from the AIM-9J/P Sidewinder , Rafael Shafrir 2, Python III , Python IV family that offer integration into the Israeli DASH hull. The medium range missile that is available for the Tiger III is the Israeli Rafael Derby has active guidance with a range of 50 km. And the air-to-ground arsenal consists of laser-guided bombs , AGM-65 Maverick missiles , and anti-radar missiles and rocket launchers . Two M-39 A-2 20mm guns are maintained.

 

 

Chilean F-5E Tiger III Plus carrying Python IV missiles

 

 All these improvements made at the beginning of the 21st century by the FACH (Chilean Air Force) made possible the birth of the Chilean F-5E Tiger III Plus , which surpasses the standard F-5E Tiger III that were first deployed in 1994 in Chile. the F-5E Tiger III plus is a unique variant in the world that to this day serves in Chile, although it is expected that they will soon be replaced. 

 

From 2001 to 2004, the Moroccan aviation also updated its F-5 Tiger II to the Tiger III standard (name given by the FACH, Chilean air force, in 1990), but they did not reach the "Plus" standard since they do not have several of the improvements given by Chile in the 21st century.

 

In 2015, a contract was signed with the company Kellstrom Defense and ENAER (National Aeronautical Company of Chile) who carried out very important work, the disassembly, revision, reconditioning and structural reinforcement of the wings of these aircraft, allowing their useful life to be extended by at least less 10 years.

 

The 806 plane, painted as “Tiger”, for the Annual Meeting of “Tigers” (FACH pilots who have flown the F-5) in 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specifications:

 

Spoiler

Country of origin: EEUU/Chile

Year implemented: 1976

Crew: 1

 

Dimensions:

Length: 14.45m

Wingspan: 8.13m

Height: 4.08

Wing area: 17.28 m²

 

Weight:

Empty weight: 4,349 kg

Loaded weight: 7,157 kg

Maximum takeoff weight: 9,312 kg

 

Performance:

Engine: 2× General Electric J85-GE-21B turbojet.

Normal Thrust: 15.5 kN 3,500 lbf of thrust each.

Thrust with afterburner: 22.2 kN 5,000 lbf of thrust each.

Fuel capacity: 2,563 internal liters and up to 3 external tanks of 1,040 liters each.

Wing aspect ratio: 3.86

Aerodynamic drag area: 0.32 m²

Maximum operating speed (Vno): 1,875 km/h (1,165 MPH; 1,012 kt) (Mach 1.7)

Range: 1,405 km (759 nmi; 873 mi)

Range by ferry: 3,800 km (2,052 nmi; 2,361 mi)

Service ceiling: 16,800 m (55,118 ft)

Rate of climb: 184 m/s (36,220 ft/min)

 

 

 

Armament:

 

Cannons: 2x Pontiac M39 A2 cannons, caliber 20 mm

 

 

 

 

Hardpoints: 7 total (3 for fuel), 2 wingtip launch rails, 4 underwing pylons and 1 more pylon under the fuselage with a capacity of 3200 kg, to carry a combination of:

 

Bombs: 

Laser guied bombs

Free-fall bombs: Mark 80 series (Mark 81, Mark 82, Mark 83, Mark 84), including 3 and 14 kg practice bombs

Cluster bombs: CBU-24/49/52/58

napalm containers

 

 

 

Missiles:

Air-to-air missiles:

 

4x AIM-9J / P Sidewinder

4x Rafael Shafrir 2

4x Python III

4x Python IV

4x Rafael Derby

 

Air-to-surface missiles:

 

2x AGM-65 Maverick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rockets:

2x LAU-61 or LAU-68 Containers, each with 19 or 7 Hydra 70mm rockets, respectively or

2x LAU-5003 Containers, each with 19 CRV7 70mm rockets or

2x LAU-10 Containers, each with 4 Zuni 127mm rockets or

2x Matra Containers, each with 18 SNEB 68mm rockets

 

 

 

 

Photos:

 

Spoiler

 

Emblems of the Chilean F-5E Tiger III Plus

 

 

 

 

modifications

 

 

miscellaneous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Videos:

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

personal opinion:

 

Spoiler

 

The Chilean F-5E Tiger III Plus is a unique version of the F-5 and one of the most powerful still operational in the world due to the number of modifications it has and the weapons it can carry. I think it's the direct continuation of the F-5E Tiger II which is already implemented in the game, I just don't know whether to put it in the normal US tech tree, I think it could also be in the Israeli tree since several of the modifications started in that country and the israel tree needs some support, it could still be premium/event due to how powerful and unique it is; I would like to know what you think, where you would put it and at what level. I hope you like my idea and support it friends <3

 

 

 

 

Sources:

https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/3123034/f-5-cumple-45-anos-servicio-fuerza-aerea-chile

http://chiledefensa.blogspot.com/2012/01/f-5-tiger-iii-plus.html

https://www.the-northrop-f-5-enthusiast-page.info/AirForces/ChileAF.html

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_F-5

https://www.fgmedia.cl/40-anos-llegada-f5-a-fach/

http://tallyho.cl/45-anos-de-la-llegada-de-los-primeros-f-5e-tigre-ii-de-la-fach/

https://vortexxmag.com/f-5-tigre-iii-a-45-anos-de-la-entrada-de-chile-en-la-era-supersonica/

https://www.enaer.cl/actualizaciones/   (ENAER's official page in which it mentions the improvements to the F-5 Tiger III)

https://www.enaer.cl/proyectos-conjuntos/ (ENAER's official page in which it mentions the improvements to the F-5 Tiger III)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 17, 2023 by Chilean_Thunder
I added interesting photos to the post

[kleinerPanzer 648]

Open for discussion 

[EL337GH0ST 196]

Very interesting vehicle, however I agree with your statement that it is hard to decide what country to put it in.

 

I will say that I find the US the better country, as the originating vehicle is from the US, so if this one is put as a tier 8 premium, we can see the F-20 in the normal tech tree which would be really great.

Israel really has no need for this vehicle (it sure as hell wouldn't be in the main tree, so making their best plane a premium seems stupid) if they add the updated variants of the Kfir.

 

However, since it was upgraded by Israel, it could eventually go to their tree, but I would then like to see the F-21 in the US tree as well, which really should have been the Tier 8 premium instead of the mass-produced A-6 which is the first plane with laser guided bombs in the US tree (wtf is that bs).

[Milocat 4,857]

+1 for a future South American tree.

 

Could also fit for America or Israel.

[foxtrot19673 40]

+1, apart from this plane someone should also suggest the chilean modified hawker hunter fga.71

[Chilean_Thunder 89]

3 hours ago, foxtrot19673 said:

+1, apart from this plane someone should also suggest the chilean modified hawker hunter fga.71

I know that Chile also had the Hawker Hunter, but I don't know what unique modifications of Chile it has. If you tell me what they are, I could investigate and make the post 

 

[foxtrot19673 40]

I know we used them with shafrir/shafrir 2 missiles, plus a chaff & flare dispenser and rwr on the late modifications, there was more modifications for ground ordinance but i cannot remember very well

[Chilean_Thunder 89]

On 05/01/2023 at 14:22, foxtrot19673 said:

I know we used them with shafrir/shafrir 2 missiles, plus a chaff & flare dispenser and rwr on the late modifications, there was more modifications for ground ordinance but i cannot remember very well

I think that Chile operated the Hawker Hunter MK 71, it is the Chilean variant that has 4 30mm cannons and that uses the Israeli Shafrir 2 missiles, I will start with the investigation to do the post, thanks for the recommendation friend

Edited January 9, 2023 by Chilean_Thunder

[yoyolast 1,710]

On 02/01/2023 at 19:57, foxtrot19673 said:

+1, apart from this plane someone should also suggest the chilean modified hawker hunter fga.71

I have made a suggestion, it's pending at the moment, but that's not the topic of this suggestion so please get back on track guys 

23 minutes ago, Chilean_Thunder said:

I think that Chile operated the Hawker Hunter MK 71, it is the Chilean variant that has 4 30mm cannons and that uses the Israeli Shafrir 2 missiles, I will start with the investigation to do the post, thanks for the recommendation friend

No need, as I just said I already made a suggestion, I think it should be detailed enough to your liking.

[Chilean_Thunder 89]

3 minutes ago, yoyolast said:

He hecho una sugerencia, está pendiente en este momento, pero ese no es el tema de esta sugerencia, así que por favor vuelvan al buen camino. 

No es necesario, como acabo de decir, ya hice una sugerencia, creo que debería ser lo suficientemente detallada como para su gusto.

oh ok, thank you very much. excuse me 

[CorsairN7 18]

I'll put it in USA between the F5E and the F-16 al 11.7 Due to the BVR capabilities and Python IV all aspect missiles

Edited January 10, 2023 by CorsairN7

[Miraz05 255]

+1 for US tree

[Chilean_Thunder 89]

On 10/01/2023 at 12:02, CorsairN7 said:

I'll put it in USA between the F5E and the F-16 al 11.7 Due to the BVR capabilities and Python IV all aspect missiles

Maybe the python IV missile is quite powerful, the israeli fighters only go up to shafrir 2 for now, so maybe a high BR for the Chilean Tiger is possible, or maybe they just don't implement it with the python IV in the game.