CF-116 Freedom Fighter
Encyclopedia : C : CF : CF1 : CF-116 Freedom Fighter
| CF-116 Freedom Fighter | ||
|---|---|---|
 Canadian Air Force CF-116 Freedom Fighters
| ||
| Technical specifications | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Light tactical fighter | |
| Crew | 1 or 2 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 47 ft 2 in | 14.38 m |
| Wingspan | 25 ft 10 in | 7.87 m |
| Height | 13 ft 2 in | 4.01 m |
| Wing area | 186 ft² | 17.28 m² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 8,681 lb | 3,938 kg |
| Maximum take-off | 20,390 lb | 9,249 kg |
| Fuel | ||
| Internal | 677 US gal | 2,563 L |
| External (up to 3 drop tanks) | 275 US gal per tank | 1,040 L per tank |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | 2 × Orenda built GE J85-15 | |
| Thrust | 2,925 lbf | 13.0 kN |
| Thrust (ab) | 4,300 lbf | 19.1 kN |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 650 knots | 1,204 km/h |
| Combat radius | 760 nm | 1,405 km |
| Ferry range | 2,010 nm | 3,720 km |
| Service ceiling | 41,000 ft ft | 12,496 m |
| Rate of climb | 34,400 ft/min | 10,500 m/min |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 2 x 20 mm Pontiac M39A2 cannon with 280 rounds per gun | |
| Bombs | Up to 7000 lb (3180 kg) mixed M129 Leaflet 500 lb (225 kg) Mk-82 2000 lb (900 kg) Mk-84 CBU-24/49/52/58 Cluster | |
| Missiles | AIM-7 Sparrow AIM-9 Sidewinder AGM-65 Maverick AIM-120 AMRAAM | |
The CF-116 Freedom Fighter was an aircraft flown by the Canadian Forces based on the American F-5 Freedom Fighter.
Originally designed by Northrop as a low-cost, low-maintenance fighter jet, to be sold to nations that had limited resources and limited technical expertise to maintain a sophisticated aircraft. For a country like Canada, which had an extensive aerospace industry, selection of the F-5 was seen as a step backwards.[link]
Canada Forces took delivery of the first CF-5s (Though officially designated the CF-116, it was almost universally referred to as the CF-5 except in official documentation.) at the end of 1968. They were constructed under license from Northrop by Canadair. Total production for Canadian Forces was 89 single seat aircraft and 46 dual seat aircraft, but many were also built for the Netherlands, Norway and some surplus aircraft were sold to Venezuela.
The Canadian version had several modifications to make it more suitable to operating in Canadian Forces theatres: A two-position nose gear was used, which shortened take-off distance by almost 20%, a mid-air refueling probe was installed, Orenda built General 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 designed reconnaissance set with four cameras in it. Over the course of its life, it received many upgrades to its avionics and capabilities.
Initially 434 and 433 squadrons 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 in CFB North Bay and CFB Trenton, some later being sold to other countries. 434 squadron was assigned to do lead-in tactical fighter training for the CF-104, but was transitioned to the role of a rapid reaction squadron, being ready to deploy to Europe at a moment's notice in the event of hostilities. The squadron moved to CFB Bagotville with 433 squadron, for a short time, and then on to CFB Chatham. The training role was adopted by 419 squadron in CFB Cold Lake, it would continue to provide jet training, dissimilar air combat training, and serve as a lead-in fighter trainer for the CF-18 until the aircraft was retired in 1995. All remaining airframes were put into storage at CFB Mountainview. Only a few specimens remain available in aircraft museums.
Operators
- Botswana, Canada, Greece, Netherlands, Turkey, and Venezuela.
References
- [RCAF.com: The History and Heritage of Canada's Aircraft]
- [Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum: Canadair CF-5 Freedom Fighter]
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