F-20A Tigershark

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F-20A Tigershark - Supersonic Fighter -

F-20 Image #1

ORIGIN: (Real World) United States of America

GAMES FEATURED IN: Ace Combat 05: The Unsung War Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War

OPERATORS: Belkan Air Force Osean Air Defense Force Ustian Air Force Yuktobanian Air Force

ACE SQUADRONS/PILOT: Anwalt / BAF (ACZ) Vampir Flight / BAF (ACZ) Falter / BAF (ACZ)

VARIANTS: F-5E Tiger II X-29A

WEAPONS: Gun / 2 x 20mm M39 cannon Standard Missiles / AIM-9M Sidewinder GPB / GBU-32 JDAM (ACZ) SAAM / AIM-7M Sparrow (AC5/ACZ) XAGM / AGM-65G Maverick (ACZ)

ACE COMBAT 5 STATS: Speed: 73 Mobility: 43 Stability: 60 Defense: 46 Air-to-Air: 60 Air-to-Ground: 25

ACE COMBAT ZERO STATS: Speed: 73 Mobility: 43 Stability: 60 Defense: 46 Air-to-Air: 60 Air-to-Ground: 25

BIO: 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 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-16s 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.

Source: Global Security: F-20 "Tigershark"