F-20A Armament?

[springtime]

in V1.06 it can only fire Aim-9's wasn't Aim-7 part of the F-20's weapons Inventory?

[mikmykWS]

Yes. We got a request to add the loadout within the last month or so. Its on our list.

Thanks!

Mike

[Primarchx]

Don't forget they were flown by Chuck Yeager, too, so they're all crew-rated as Ace! [:D]

[NakedWeasel]

[:D] Nothing to add but a huge LOL for Primarchx...

[DirtyFred]

ORIGINAL: Primarchx

Don't forget they were flown by Chuck Yeager, too, so they're all crew-rated as Ace! [:D]

Chuck tried but Reagan and the US Airforce (the F-16 fighter mafia) killed the F-20. Aviation author Steve Pace wrote of the F-20 as "one of the best fighters that never went into production." Some of the low cost fighters today were inspired by the F-20, such as the Saab JAS 39 Gripen...

The F-20 was never considered for USAF service, and the U.S. Navy decided to buy F-16s for its aggressor aircraft program. These two facts essentially doomed the F-20 FMS program. Although the test program demonstrated the potential of the F-20, countries tended to buy the F-16, in part, because it was used by the USAF and USN while the F-20 was not.

The development program was abandoned in 1986 after three prototypes had been built and a fourth partially completed.

82-0062 (Northrop serial number GG.1001) - crashed at Suwon Air Base, South Korea on October 10, 1984. Pilot killed.
82-0063 (Northrop serial number GI.1001) - crashed at CFB Goose Bay, Canada on May 14, 1985. Pilot killed.
82-0064 (Northrop serial number GI.1002) - California Science Center in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_F-20_Tigershark

[MR_BURNS2]

A fascinating aircraft, amazing what aircraft designers can do when not influenced by the Pentagon...

F-20 Tigershark Aircraft Sales Film

[springtime]

I've See the Sales Film too but it hard to see the F-20 as a buddy Pod tanker

[MR_BURNS2]

Yeah that is true, but then it's a real low-budget fighter, for a small nation without other tanker assets that wants to make a low level long range attack it makes sense.

[Primarchx]

ORIGINAL: springtime

in V1.06 it can only fire Aim-9's wasn't Aim-7 part of the F-20's weapons Inventory?

How about AIM-120?

[springtime]

In the Northrop sales film future Aim-120 capability was promised if aircraft were bought

[Vulcan101]

If this had been introduced, they would have been able to carry any of the Mk80 bombs, Maverick and various rocket pods plus AIM9, 7 and 120 (eventually), its likely that various other AAM's would have been added eg Python, Darter etc for the export market. It's likely that if it had been accepted into service by a NATO nation or friendly nation such as South Korea, Sweden, Japan, India, Switzerland etc then later on various AGM's and LGB/GPS munitions would have been added.

There was some talk of a version with a larger wing (mainly aimed at Sweden) before they decided to go with the Gripen.

It's likely later versions would have followed similar upgrade paths as the F16C blocks. Of course F20 NG in the 21st century would have had the F414, enhanced radar and later weapons.

[Sakai007]

Alright, I watched the video, and I want to place an order! Would fill all of my personal needs quite nicely. I couldn't help but chuckle at the line, "now, using the technology of the 80's" lol