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F-5A Freedom Fighter: Bring ‘em Hell!

The first in the line of American multirole fighters, the F-5A Freedom Fighter is entering service with Chinese pilots with the launch of the upcoming “Ixwa Strike” update.

F-5A, strike fighter, China, rank VI.

Pros

  • Carries huge weapon weight
  • A brilliant variety of the available weapon presets for any combat situation
  • Good max speed and controls

Cons

  • Lacks defensive systems, such as radar warning system and flares
History

In the mid-50’s, a group of specialists from the Northrop Corporation began developing a light multi-role short-range support fighter  on their own initiative that could take off and land on short runways. The idea did not receive much appreciation from the military authorities, as the main stake was then placed on high-tech expensive fighters, for which the length of the runway did not play a decisive role. However, within Northrop Corporation, the project continued to develop. While research, construction and testing of prototypes were going on, the strengthening of the NATO and SEATO alliances required the United States to supply a cheap multi-role fighter to allies.

This is where the work of the Northrop engineers came in handy. With minor modifications, the experimental aircraft went into production under the designation F-5A. Very easy to assemble and maintain, without modern navigation and guidance systems, the aircraft was able to carry a huge arsenal of suspended weaponry and effectively carry out missions to destroy various types of ground targets, as well as successfully participate in air battles, often against more expensive and advanced enemy aircraft.

The F-5A Freedom Fighter was first put in service by the Norwegian Air Force in 1964, later she was supplied to a large number of US allies and was actively used in many conflicts around the world, including Vietnam, the Iran-Iraq conflict and the War of Ogaden.

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In our game, the F-5 Freedom Fighter series appears in the “Ixwa Strike'' update with the first serialy produced modification of the F-5A in Chinese service. These early versions of the F-5 were almost entirely exported to other countries; American pilots used them to a limited extent as trainers. Later, we will add more advanced F-5 modifications for both the US tech tree and other gaming nations.

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The F-5A Freedom Fighter will be the new top of the line of American strike fighters for the Chinese Air Force. This small, very light aircraft has performance characteristics comparable to other fighters of its rank, but carries an incredible variety of outboard weapon sets. It has it all: 250 to 2000 lb bombs, Mighty Mouse rockets, Bullpup air-to-surface missiles, AIM-9P Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. It's great that all weapons are assembled into specialized and universal setups for literally any combat task. 

That is, bombs, rockets, and guided missiles can be carried all at once in more than 20 combinations! As well as that, the aircraft has rapid-fire 20mm cannons, a very decent rate of climb and maximum speed, and is well controlled in flight, even with a significant payload on the pylons. The disadvantages of the F-5A include the complete absence of defensive systems - no radar warning system and no flares are provided.

So, the first representative of the glorious F-5 family will appear very soon together with the release of the War Thunder “Ixwa Strike'' update! The best attack aircraft in the Chinese tech tree and many more new units and features are coming soon, stay tuned to our news!


The War Thunder Team

 

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