锦上添花——强化空战能力F-5A 的操纵特性不错,虽然性能不突出,但各方面比较均衡。如前所述,该机设计初衷是作为一种支援型的轻型战斗轰炸机,而不是作为夺取制空权的主战飞机,机载武器、航电并未过多考虑对空作战的需要。例如,该机没有装备现代战斗机必需的雷达设备,甚至没有前置计算瞄准具。诺斯罗普的设计人员认为,对于 F-5A 的基本设计来说,具有改进为制空战斗机的潜力,如果为该机换装更大推力的发动机,加装雷达,更新航电设备,该机应该可以在对空作战方面有更好的表现。为此,诺斯罗普宣布将自行投资研制 Icing on the cake - to enhance air combat capabilities F-5A’s handling characteristics are good, although the performance is not prominent, but all aspects of a more balanced. As mentioned earlier, this machine was originally designed as a supportive light fighter-bomber, rather than as the main battle plane to seize air power, airborne weapons, avionics did not take too much account of the need for air combat. For example, the aircraft is not equipped with the radar equipment necessary for modern fighter jets and does not even have front-pointing sights. Northrop’s designers believe that the basic design of the F-5A has the potential to improve as an air-to-air fighter. If the engine is retrofitted with a larger thrust, a radar is installed, and avionics are updated, The machine should be able to perform better on air operations. To this end, Northrop announced that it will invest in research and development