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Key Points: The F-20 Tigershark, a promising Cold War-era fighter jet by Northrop, was designed for speed, agility, and export market appeal.

-Featuring advanced avionics, MACH 2.1 speed, and cutting-edge missile capabilities, it seemed poised for success.

-Yet, its potential was overshadowed by the Reagan administration’s emphasis on exporting F-15s and F-16s, which proved more attractive to U.S. allies. Despite innovative upgrades, including a modern cockpit and versatile radar, the F-20 couldn’t compete.

-Marketing efforts, even involving legendary pilot Chuck Yeager, fell short. Ultimately, the Tigershark remains a tale of unfulfilled promise in military aviation history.

F-20 Tigershark Fighter Never Got to Swim

It was the height of the Cold War military build-up created by President Ronald Reagan. The United States needed a fast and maneuverable all-weather, multi-role fighter that could frighten Soviet pilots in a dogfight. This fighter appeared to have all those attributes, but it never went anywhere. The F-20 Tigershark is the airplane in question, and it did not achieve serial production. The F-20 ended up in the Death Valley of failed defense acquisition practices and government export policies that hastened its departure.

The F-20 was unveiled to the world at an air show in Paris in 1983. It was based on the F-5E Tiger II fighter popular on the export market. Northrop thought the F-20 would be a hit with foreign air forces, too, since many Western-aligned countries feared the Soviet menace.

The Cockpit Was a Thing of Beauty 

One thing that stood out to admirers was the F-20’s advanced cockpit. It had an early-version of a heads-up-display, which was a marvel at the time. The digital display screens were state-of-the-art. There was also “hands-on throttle stick controls,” which meant the pilot could pay more attention to communications, radar, and weapons while the jet accelerated or pulled maneuvers.

Maneuverability Was Exciting

Hardpoint locations for weapons were an interesting feature of the F-20. There were some under the wing, but Sidewinder air-to-air missiles were also mounted on the wingtips and later upgrades allowed it to carry AMRAAMs and Maverick air-to-surface missiles. But that allowed for some smooth maneuvers. The F-20 could make rapid turns and pull high G-force. This showed pilots that the F-20 was going to be something special.

An F-20 launching an AGM-65 Maverick missile.

The avionics were arguably excellent, and aviators loved the MACH 2.1 speed. This had all the markings of an outstanding airplane. It was a real hot rod that could knife through the air with ease.

Another aspect of the F-20 was its attack mode. The AMRAAM missile could be fired beyond visual range. This is taken for granted in the present day, but in the early 1980s, it was considered quite an innovation. 

Slick Ad Campaign Featuring a Cranky Legendary Pilot

Northrop thought it had the marketing and advertising winds at its back. The defense contractor even created a commercial with Chuck Yeager. This was a feat in and of itself because Yeager was notoriously camera-shy and a crusty character. I interviewed him once as a cub reporter and he growled out his terse sentences paying no mind to my nervousness.

Exports Would Be the F-20’s Undoing

Yeager did likely realize that the F-20 had much potential. It was hatched under the popular F-5 program. The Carter Administration, like the Reagan Administration, knew that in the late 1970s, the Soviets were becoming more aggressive. But Carter, unlike Reagan, believed that U.S. arms exports should be dependent on how well countries respected human rights at home. And he determined fighters would not be sold abroad to many international governments who abused their citizens’ civil rights.

Reagan had no such qualms, and the F-20 was going to take advantage of a new foreign market for fast-moving, high-flying warbirds that could challenge the Soviet Union in the early to mid-1980s.

But there was a problem with the F-20. Reagan’s arms export strategy also affected the F-15 and F-16. Once those fighters became available for sale overseas the F-20 was pushed aside. Allied nations decided to buy the Eagles and Fighting Falcons, leaving the Tigershark in the dust.

Northrop Tried to Keep the Light Burning

Northrop didn’t give up and the defense contractor tried to make the F-20 even more innovative. One upgrade included a multi-modal radar and modern cockpit mentioned above that looked like something from the F/A-18 Hornet. Plus, the F-20 had a top altitude of 36,000 feet with intense climbing power and turn radius.

However, the F-20 just didn’t make it. The F-16 and F-15 airframes were flying just fine. Allied countries passed and the Tigershark went extinct. Despite Chuck Yeager and a modern marketing blitz, the F-20 just couldn’t compete. Too bad this airplane never went anywhere. We could be talking more about it today. But it will go down as a warbird that had much potential but just never grew up to adulthood.

About the Author: Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.