The Pentagon announced Tuesday a plans to extend the service life of the F-5 Tiger II fighter aircraft.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on 12 February, Northrop Grumman has been awarded
Northrop Grumman is awarded $16,8 million modification to a previously awarded contract that provides aircraft inspections, repairs, overhauls, emergency repairs, modifications, engineering support and procurement of structural components required for the operation and sustainment of the F-5N/F aircraft.
Work is expected to be completed in September 2019, according to a Defense Department report.
The F-5 was developed by Northrop Grumman for export through the Military Assistance Program (MAP) in February 1965. This aircraft was initially offered as a candidate for a U.S. lightweight fighter, but became extremely popular as an export finding its niche in the overseas market.
The F-5N is a single seat, twin-engine, tactical fighter and attack aircraft providing simulated air-to-air combat training manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation. The F-5F is a dual-seat version, tactical fighter commonly used for training and adversary combat tactics. The aircraft serves in an aggressor-training role with simulation capability of current threat aircraft in fighter combat mode.