The Northrop N-102 Fang Could Have Been America’s Smallest Fighter Jet

While the N-102 proved capable, the Air Force instead opted for the Lockheed submission, the CL-246—which went on to become the F-104 Starfighter.

In the middle 20^th century, at the onset of the jet-powered fighter era, American aerospace manufacturers trended towards larger and heavier designs. The trend manifested in discernible ways, like the production of the large Century Series fighters like the F-105 Thunderchief and the F-106 Delta Dart—and, years later, in the production of massive fourth-generation fighters like the F-14 Tomcat and the F-15 Eagle.

But as trends crept towards bigger engines, heavier fuselages, and wider wingspans, some observers began to grow concerned. The growing size, complexity, and cost of American fighters was concerning with respect to fiscal sustainability and simple nuts-and-bolts maintenance requirements. The Air Force eventually took notice, issuing a call for a lightweight fighter to replace the F-100 Super Sabre. One aerospace manufacturer responded to the Air Force’s request with a concept fighter that bucked the trends—a lightweight, more modestly proportioned delta-wing fighter. The manufacturer was Northrop, and the concept fighter was the N-102 Fang.

The N-102 Fang Scaled Down, Not Up

In 1952, Northrop began studying a concept for a simple and lightweight fighter that could still achieve supersonic speeds. Northop’s efforts coincided with the Air Force’s issue for a new lightweight air superiority fighter. Specifically, the Air Force wanted a new fighter with a minimum speed of Mach 1.3 and a combat radius of at least 400 miles. In addition to Northrop, the solicitation attracted the efforts of three other aerospace manufacturers—Lockheed, North American, and Republic, who respectively offered the CL-246, NA-212, and AP-55.

Northrop offered the N-102 to meet the requirements of the Air Force bid. The N-102 was distinctive for its shoulder-mounted delta wing and its small all-moving tailplane. For propulsion the N-102 would rely upon a single turbojet engine mounted in the lower aft fuselage. A variable-geometry ventral air inlet supplied air to the engine. Northrop experimented with various engines for the concept fighter, all of which permitted the jet to travel at speeds of Mach 2.

While the N-102 proved capable, the Air Force instead opted for the Lockheed submission, the CL-246—which went on to become the F-104 Starfighter.

Parts of the N-102 Later Resurfaced in the F-5

After losing the Air Force bid, Northrop stubbornly persisted in their work on the N-102, in the hope that the aircraft would attract export customers. As costs on the program mounted, however, Northrop became discouraged, and ceased all efforts in 1954.

Still, the N-102-related efforts were not without future applicability. Northrop eventually segued their N-102 research into another lightweight fighter program, the F-5 fighter family. Unlike the N-102, the F-5 featured two engines. But the spirit of the N-102 was encapsulated within the F-5 program, which was also lightweight and aerodynamic. The finished F-5 was notably smaller than contemporaries like the F-4.

Somewhat ironically, the F-5 never gained much traction with the U.S. military. However, it found enduring popularity and great financial success on the export market, with buyers from around the world, including China, Korea, Iran, and Switzerland—many of which still operate the plane today.

About the Author: Harrison Kass

Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.

Image: Wikimedia Commons.