F-20A Tigershark

Description
Initially known as the F-5G, Northrop developed the F-20 Tigershark in response to a U.S. Government call for the private development of a tactical fighter specifically tailored to meet the security needs of allied and friendly nations.

The first flight of the Tigershark was made August 30, 1982. The Mach 2 class F-20 Tigershark's basic single-seat configuration was formally designated the F-20A. The F-20 combined propulsion, electronics and armament technologies with improvements in reliability to sustain high sortie rates in adverse weather.

The F-20 incorporated a combination of advanced technology features. The F-20 could carry more than 8,300 pounds of external armaments and fuel on five pylons. It could carry six Sidewinder missiles on air-to-air missions. For air-to-ground missions, more than 6,800 pounds of armament could be carried. Two internally mounted Pontiac M39A2 20mm guns were standard equipment on the Tigershark. Although tests showed it's potential, the USAF never considered the F-20 for service, and the U.S. Navy decided to purchase F-16As for it's aggressor aircraft program. These two facts essentially doomed the F-20 FMS program. Also, the decision not to buy the F-20 affected other countries decisions on purchasing U.S. aircraft. In all, three F-20s were built, two were destroyed in accidents and the sole survivor now rests in the USAF museum.

Aces

 * Anwalt (Lawyer) (BAF/ACZ)
 * Vampir Squadron (Vampire) (BAF/ACZ)
 * Falter (Butterfly) (BAF/ACZ)
 * Fenrir Squadron (UAF/ACZ)
 * Caravan Squadron (UAF/ACZ)
 * Lancer Squadron (UAF/ACZ)

Standard Weapons

 * Gun: 2x 20mm Pontiac M39A2 Revolver Cannon
 * Missiles: AIM-9M Sidewinder

Special Weapons

 * GPB: GBU-31 JDAM (ACZ)
 * SAAM: AIM-7F Sparrow (AC5 & ACZ)
 * XAGM: AGM-65G Maverick (ACZ)

Ace Combat 5/Zero Stats

 * Speed: 73
 * Mobility: 43
 * Stability: 60
 * Defense: 46
 * Air-to-Air: 60
 * Air-to-Ground: 25

Related Development

 * F-5E Tiger II

Trivia

 * The Ace Combat ZERO F-20A's Knight SP Scheme is an exact replica of the paintjob used in the F-20A of Shin Kazama, the main character of the famed anime franchise Area 88, which served as an inspiration for the Ace Combat series.