Canadair CF-5D

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The Canadair CF-5D Freedom Fighter was manufactured between 1965 and 1969 under license from the Northrop Corporation.  The aircraft underwent extensive Depot Level Inspections and Repair and Avionics Upgrade Programs between 1987 and 1995, and the Canadian Air Force modified these CF-5Ds for service as Lead-In Trainers for their CF/A-18 fleet. These modifications updated the aircraft avionics with capabilities that are instantly familiar to today’s fighter / attack pilot – Heads Up Display (HUD), Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS), and an advanced computer aided bombing system similar to the F/A-18. Today’s Tactical Air CF-5Ds are equipped with the latest technology including a fully integrated Garmin navigation/communication suite, ADSB and precision approach capability.  The aircraft are cleared for the full complement of air to ground ordnance from live heavy ordnance to light inert practice bombs, rockets, captive air training missiles, ACMI, jammers and countermeasures.  Combining the inherent safety of twin-engine redundancy and the documented reliability of the General Electric/Canadair J-85 engines, the CF-5D offers reliable advanced training support and an exceptional proven safety record for the commercial air services customer. The same engine is installed in the T-38 and is one of General Electric’s most successful military jet engines, with the civilian versions having logged over 16.5 million hours of operation worldwide.  Equally at home in an A/A or A/G mission set, the CF-5D is a jack-of-all-trades work horse.  It’s the perfect lead-in trainer for today’s advanced high performance jet aircraft, an extremely capable  40,OOO+ ft supersonic adversary, and the industry’s most tactically representative Close Air Support (CAS) training platform.​

General Characteristics

Crew: one–two

Propulsion: (2) Orenda-built GE J85-15 turbojet engines capable of 4,300 lbs of thrust

Length: 47 ft 2 in (14.38 m)

Height: 13 ft 2 in (4.01 m)

Wingspan: 25 ft 10 in (7.87 m)

Weight:  Max Takeoff Weight: 20,390 lb (9,249 kg); Zero fuel weight 8,681 lb (3,938 kg)

Maximum speed: 1,575 km/h (Mach 1.3) (978 mph)

Ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,000 m)

Range: 760 nmi (875 mi, 1,400 km)

Loiter Time: 1.5 hours