| CF-5/CF-116/NF-5 Freedom Fighter | |
|---|---|
_CF-116A_(CL-219)%2c_Canada_-_Air_Force_AN1952661.jpg) Canadian Forces CF-5A Freedom Fighter on display atTrenton, Ontario | |
| General information | |
| Type | Fighter-bomber |
| Manufacturer | Canadair |
| Status | Retired from Canadian service in 1995, still in service with some countries |
| Primary users | Canadian Forces (former) |
| Number built | 240 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 5 November 1968[citation needed] |
| First flight | 6 May 1968 |
| Developed from | Northrop F-5 |
TheCanadair CF-5 (officially designated theCF-116 Freedom Fighter) is a Canadian licensed-builtNorthrop F-5 Freedom Fighter. It is a light,supersonic, twin engine, daylight air superiority fighter primarily for theCanadian Forces (as the CF-5) and theRoyal Netherlands Air Force (as the NF-5). The CF-5 was upgraded periodically throughout its service life in Canada. While Canadian Forces retired the aircraft in 1995, it continues to be used by other countries.
The CF-5 was ordered by theRoyal Canadian Air Force, which became part of the Canadian Forces on 1 February 1968. The new unified force took delivery of the first CF-5s (it was almost universally referred to as the CF-5 except in official documentation[1]) at the end of 1968. Production byCanadair for the Canadian Forces was 89 single-seat aircraft, 46 dual-seat aircraft and 75 single-seat with 30 dual-seat aircraft for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, a total production of 240. Twenty surplus Canadian aircraft were sold to Venezuela.[2][3][4]
Originally designed byNorthrop as a low-cost, low-maintenance fighter jet, the F-5 was intended for use by air forces that had limited resources and technical expertise. In 1964, theRoyal Canadian Air Force, searching for a replacement for both the conventional attack fighterCF-104 and the nuclear strike interceptorCF-101, proposed entering into a joint production agreement with theUnited Kingdom to build over 100F-4 Phantom II (which theRoyal Navy was eager to acquire) but this was rejected as too costly.[5] In February 1965, Chief of Operational Readiness and a futureCDS, Lieutenant-GeneralJean Victor Allard, evaluated four possible replacements:Northrop F-5,Grumman A-6 Intruder,Douglas A-4 Skyhawk andLTV A-7 Corsair II.[6] While theRoyal Canadian Navy wanted the A-4 Skyhawk, as a replacement for its carrier basedMcDonnell F2H Banshee, the only aircraft deemed "not suitable" was the F-5, and the A-7 Corsair was recommended. Nonetheless, Defense MinisterPaul Hellyer "questioned the RCAF’s preoccupation with fighters generally, and he rejected the need for and the utility of the nuclear strike role specifically" and changed the requirements, thus "guaranteeing that the CF-5 be selected as the new tactical fighter, and that the RCAF was to adopt an affordable aircraft capable of performing a conventional attack role," even though he later wrote in his biography that the F-5 was “little more than a trainer with guns hung on it.”[7] In Canada, which had a mature aerospace industry, selection of the less sophisticated F-5 was a disappointment and "clearly unpopular" among those in the RCAF.[8] Selected to provide a tactical support role, based in Canada but to relocate to Europe, CF-5 squadrons were also committed to NATO's northern flank to act as a rapid-deployment force. However, the role for the CF-5 throughout its service with the RCAF was changed frequently and eventually the diminutive fighter would serve as anattack strike fighter,reconnaissance platform andtrainer.[3]
Compared to the Northrop F-5, the Canadian CF-5 had several modifications to make it more suitable for operating in Canadian Forces theaters of operations. In order to address complaints about long takeoff runs, the single-seat Canadair version featured a two-position nose landing gear; compressed it operated like the original, but extended (before takeoff) it raised the nose and thereby increased theangle of attack and increased lift. The system reduced takeoff distance by almost 20%. A midair refueling probe was installed,Orenda-builtGeneral Electric J85-15 engines with 4,300 lbf (19 kN) thrust were used, and a more sophisticated navigation system was added. The nose of the CF-5 was also interchangeable with a specially designedreconnaissance set with four cameras in it. Over the course of its life, it received many upgrades to its avionics and capabilities.
An order for 105 aircraft for the Royal Netherlands Air Force was signed in early 1967, 75 single-seaters to replace theRepublic F-84 and 30 twin-seaters to replace theLockheed T-33. The plan to use some single-seaters for photo-reconnaissance to replace theLockheed F-104G Starfighters never materialized. Production of the F-5 in Europe was originally planned by Fokker and SABCA, for the Dutch and Belgian Air Forces, but hesitancy by Belgium led to the Netherlands government ordering under a production sharing agreement with Canada.[9] As part of the production sharing agreement between the Canadian and Dutch governments the centre fuselages for all but the first 31 aircraft were built byFokker in the Netherlands.[10]
The first CF-5 was officially rolled out in a ceremony at the Cartierville factory on 6 February 1968.[11] The first NF-5 was rolled out on 5 March 1969.[12]
Initially433 Squadron and434 Squadron were the only two squadrons to operate the CF-5. It was intended that three squadrons would fly the aircraft, but due to budgetary restrictions, the excess aircraft were put into storage inCFB North Bay andCFB Trenton, some later being sold to other countries. 434 Squadron was assigned to do lead-in tactical fighter training for theCanadair CF-104 Starfighter, but was transitioned to the role of a rapid reaction squadron, being ready to deploy to Europe at short notice in the event of hostilities. The squadron moved toCFB Bagotville with 433 Squadron, for a short time, and then on toCFB Chatham.[3]
The training role was adopted by419 Squadron atCFB Cold Lake; it would continue to provide jet training, dissimilar air combat training (painted in Soviet style "aggressor" schemes), and serve as a lead-in fighter trainer for theMcDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet until retired in 1995. All remaining airframes were put into storage atCFD Mountain View.
While originally intended to be deployed to Europe, due to budgetary limitations the CF-5 became a rapid deployment reinforcement, to be deployed to central Europe or later Norway in time of war. CF-5s did deploy to Europe for several reasons many times during theCold War: in 1970 six CF-5As deployed toCFB Baden–Soellingen in Germany, later flying to Norway in early 1971; in 1973 eight CF-5A and CF-5R flew to Norway; in 1974 four CF-5A and CF-5Rs participated in a NATO reconnaissance exercise at Leck, Germany; two Canadair CF-5R visited Leeuwarden, Netherlands in 1974; sixteen CF-5As flew to Europe in 1977; in 1978 eight CF-5As deployed to Norway to participate to NATO'sArctic Express exercise; in 1980 eight CF-5As participated in theAnorak Express exercise in Norway; in 1985 and 1986 CF-5As deployed to NATO exercises (Brave Lion) in Norway, and finally, the last deployment to Europe was in 1987 when four CF-5As arrived atCFB Baden–Soellingen; in June, 1988 the CF-5A was replaced in the rapid deployment force by theMcDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet.[13] Additionally, CF-5R photo reconnaissance aircraft participated inBest Focus exercises in Europe during 1978, 1980 and 1985, with a Canadian pilot winning the NATO "Photo Derby" in 1985.[13]
TheRoyal Netherlands Air Force took delivery of its first aircraft (an NF-5B two-seater) in October 1969, with the first squadron to be formed being 313 Squadron atTwente. The initial role of 313 Squadron was a conversion unit to train pilots on the new type. The NF-5 would serve with four operation squadrons, 313 and 315 Squadron at Twenthe, 316 Squadron at Gilze-Rijen and 314 Squadron atEindhoven. The last NF-5 was delivered in March 1972.
From 1986 the squadrons began to convert to the licence-builtGeneral Dynamics F-16 and the last NF-5 was stood down in March 1991.
Most surplus aircraft were sold toTurkey (most toTurkish Stars) and Venezuela (mix CF-5A and CF-5D - 18 in 1972, 2 new CF-5D in 1974 and 7 ex-RNAF NF-5A/B in 1990; all served with Grupo de Caza 12) or retained for spares support.[2] A dozen aircraft were donated toGreece.
_VF-5A_(CL-226)_Schleiffert-1.jpg)
After a reorganization of theVenezuelan Air Force in the late 1960s, the government realized that it was time to replace its obsoletede Havilland Vampires andVenoms active at that time, as well as the last survivingF-86 Sabres in active duty. In 1971, 54 Canadian-built CF-5As were put in storage, after the RCAF could not take them due to budget cuts. From this batch, Venezuela acquired 16 CF-5As and two CF-5Ds. In 1972, after all the aircraft were delivered, the F-86s, Venoms, and Vampires were finally scrapped.
The F-5 became the first military plane in Venezuela capable of flying at supersonic speeds. After a legal dispute between Canadair and Northrop, two more CF-5Ds were built and delivered to Venezuela in 1974. Their first base of operations was the General Rafael Urdaneta Air Base inMaracaibo. After 1974, the fleet was relocated to Teniente Vicente Landaeta Gil Air Base inBarquisimeto.
In 1979, after several upgrades to the fleet's communication, navigation and approximation equipment, the aircraft were renamed VF-5s, designating the CF-5As as VF-5As and the CF-5Ds as VF-5Ds. Venezuelan F-5s could also carry weaponry such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, Mk.82 and M117 bombs, and 70mm rocket launchers.
In 1991, after tensions between Colombia and Venezuela almost led to a conflict, the air force started yet another modernization program for the F-5s, called "Proyecto Grifo" (Project Gryphon). Some aircraft (VF-5D number 5681 and VF-5A number 9124) were sent to Singapore for testing, then brought back for upgrade of the remaining airframes. That same year, a small fleet of four NF-5Bs and a single NF-5A, was acquired from the Netherlands to replace aircraft lost in previous years.
In 1992,during the coup d'état attempt against president Carlos Andres Perez, 3 F-5s were lost to a rebel-operatedOV-10 Bronco bombing Barquisimeto Air Base. The failed coup delayed the modernization program for a year, finally coming together in 1993. The fleet was equipped with inertial laser navigation systems (similar to those in Venezuelan F-16s), IFFs, HUDs, refueling probes and modernized engines with an estimated lifespan of 22 years.
In 2002, small upgrades were made to the remaining F-5s. The fleet was kept operational until 2010, when a batch ofHongdu JL-8s was delivered as their replacement. By late 2010, it was known that at least one VF-5D was in flight-worthy condition; it is unknown if more aircraft are in operational condition.
Between 1972 and 2002, a total of 9 Venezuelan F-5s were lost.[14][15]
.jpg)
.jpg)
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
.svg)