In service with the Brazilian Air Force since the 1970s, the F-5 can be considered one of the most important fighters Brazil has ever had, if not the most.
The modernization carried out in the first decade of the 2000s inserted the FAB into the 21st century, with the use of datalink, digital radar and missiles guided by active radar. Approaching the end of its more than 40-year career, the “Bicudo”, as it is affectionately called by some military personnel and enthusiasts, is operated by five squadrons: Pampa, Pacau, Jaguar, Jambock and Pif-Paf.
In this article we are going to learn a little more about the weapons used by the FAB F-5EM/FM Tiger II fighters.
20mm M39A3 cannon
Developed at the end of World War II, and based on the project of the MG213 cannon of Nazi , the M39 is a revolver cannon manufactured between the 50s and 70s by the companies FMC, Ford, Pontiac and General Electric. In addition to the F-5, the M39 was used in the F-86F-2 and F-86H Saber fighters, the F-100 Super Saber, the F-101 Voodoo and the B-57B Canberra bomber.
Just like a “regular” revolver, the M39 uses five chambers to cycle the weapon's loading. This type of armament was developed by the German manufacturer Ma during World War II, with the 213mm MK 20 cannon, which never entered service.
His design was captured by the Allies at the end of the War and was used in the development of their own armaments. and the United Kingdom developed the DEFA and ADEN cannons, respectively, the Americans developed the M39 and the Soviets developed the R-23.
But, back to Brazil. Before the modernization, the F-5E used two M39A3 guns in the nose, with 560 total rounds (280 for each gun). With the update, the right side gun was removed to make room for the new incorporated avionics. The two-seat F-5F had its only cannon removed as well, leaving it without any barrel armament.
Even if the cannon was lost, the aircraft's overall capabilities increased with the new electronic equipment, so it was a "fair trade".
In addition, the use of cannons these days is more focused on ground attack than aerial combat itself. The famous “dogfight” has not completely died — all air forces in the world train in close air combat — but it has evolved into the greater use of all-aspect missiles of the latest generation, combined with helmets with an integrated display, as we will see later on.
Raphael Python 3 and 4
3rd and 4th generation heat-guided (infrared signature) air-to-air missiles, developed by Israeli manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Also called P3 and P4 respectively, both are short-range missiles.
Because of its size, the P3 is carried under the wings on the outermost hangers (closer to the wingtips), while the P4 is mounted on the launch rails at the wingtips.
The Python 3 were acquired in the late 1990s and equipped the Mirage IIIEBR and F-5E Tiger II fighters. When modernized, the fighters received integration with Python 4, newer and more capable than its predecessor.
The two missiles can be “slaved” to the helmet with integrated Elbit Dash IV display, allowing the pilot to aim and lock the missile on the target just by moving the head. The Python 4 has newer sensors that make it more resistant to flares, decoys fired from aircraft to defend against heat-seeking missiles.
Missiles and other ammunition are sensitive and need to be stored in special magazines, with temperature, humidity and other aspects controlled. Outside of these environments, the lifespan of these artifacts drops a lot. In order not to use the real missiles, training missiles are created.
Only the missile's seeker system is real, and the rest of the body is filled with ballast and other instruments to simulate the weight of a real missile. The inert/training versions of Python 4 are called TP-4 and can usually be seen on the wings of the F-5. One of them even has a format similar to that of the American AIM-9 Sidewinder.
Raphael Derby
Acquired in 2006, the Derby are short/medium-range fire-and-forget active radar-guided missiles. They are the first – and, so far, the only – active radar missiles in service with the FAB, which should change when the F-39E/F Gripen enters service with the MBDA Meteor missiles.
Derby began to be developed by Rafael in the late 80's/early 90's in partnership with South Africa, after the United States refused to sell the AIM-120 AMRAAM to Israel. The missile shares several instruments with the Python IV, such as the warhead and proximity fuze.
Other features that stand out are the all-aspect capabilities, high maneuverability and Lock On Before Launch for use in dogfight (close air combat), in addition to its light weight, allowing small fighters such as the modernized F-5 itself to carry it. .
Just like Python, pilots can aim the Derby using the HMD DASH IV.
General Purpose Air Pumps (BAFG)
In addition to air-to-air missiles, F-5Ms also carry bombs for use in ground attack missions. The fighters are normally equipped with the BAFG-230 bombs, Brazilian version of the American Mk.82 of 500 pounds (227kg).
In addition to the BAFG-230, Tigres can use the BAFG-460 and 920, corresponding to the Mk.83 and 84, respectively. The three models are manufactured in Brazil.
In the F-5, the bombs are used in the conventional way, without the use of guidance kits, while the A-1 AMX fighter-bombers can use bombs with a Lizard kit, with laser guidance. However, the use of CCIP/CCRP (Constantly Computed Impact Point/Continually Computed Release Point) modes allow safe and accurate delivery of dumb bombs.
The Mk.80 series bombs are the result of studies by American engineer Ed Heinemann, from Douglas Aircraft. The bombs were designed to replace older models used in World War II, employing a low aerodynamic drag design used to this day.
Other equipment
The previously mentioned armaments are the most used by the F-5. However, the small fighter can carry other equipment that is not commonly used by the FAB.
The 70mm rockets, widely used in the A-29 Super Tucano, for example, were already much more used by the “bicudos”, especially before being modernized. The artifact can be loaded into the jet, if necessary, but its use is no longer common. The SBAT-70 could be used in "operational" or training pods such as the SUU-20/A.
BINC-200/300 Napalm (incendiary) bombs can also be used on fighters, but their use is even more rare and unusual, even more so due to the diplomatic complications associated with this type of weapon.
In aerial gunfire training missions, the F-5 employs the AV-CAA Secapem pod with the AV-2TAE-BR flexible target/windsock manufactured by Equipeer. The equipment consists of a red container (pod) that carries a windsock (target) attached by a cable, mounted on the central hanger (centerline) of the fighter.
The windsock is extended and towed by the plane at a safe distance while other fighters practice firing the cannon. At the end of the exercise, the target is jettisoned in a low flight, falling in a predetermined area at the air base. The results are analyzed later by the military.
The national missile MAA-1 Piranha was in service for a short time with the F-5. Developed by the FAB with Mectron, the short-range missile was integrated into fighter jets before and after modernization. With the F-5E it was in service for less than 1 year. When it is seen on the FAB F-5M, it is in its inert version (blue), used only as ballast to avoid excessive vibration on the wings.
Photos of the F-5EM with other weapons, such as the MAR-1, MAA-1B and MICLA-BR can be easily found on the internet. However, they will never be integrated into the fighter. The MICLA-BR, still under development, should be integrated into the F-39.
Finally, the F-5EM/FM Tiger II are almost always seen with their main tank. The equipment has the capacity to carry 1040 liters of fuel, and can also be loaded on the wings of the aircraft.
