Article

A Soviet test pilot analyzed the performance of the Northrop F-5 against the MiG-21 and MiG-23, revealing that the F-5's superior aerodynamics allowed it to outperform the MiG-21 in dogfights and demonstrated advantages in close combat against the MiG-23. These findings surprised Soviet engineers, leading to a reevaluation of tactics for MiG-21 pilots. The F-5 was ultimately decommissioned and studied for its design features.