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I'm only here for a little bit this time, but I'd like to clear this up. The F-20 was always designed to be generally more capable than the F-16A/B except in raw low speed acceleration (if the F100s held together) and payload/range at altitude. In fact, in many ways it was the equal of and in certain areas superior to the F-16C/D. However, the Carter policy opposed offering such a capable aircraft, saying that nations of a certain category needed to be satisfied with lesser capability aircraft, hence the F-16/79 which generated zero interest. Northrop disguised the Tigershark by asking it to be designated the F-5G, implying that it was simply an F-5E with some changes when it reality it was a lot more. All Carter's policy did was insult potential allies, who just planned to go elsewhere. Reagan's policy was more realistic. GD could now offer F-16 A/Bs (and maybe C/Ds to a few). Northrop now could openly promote the Tigershark's full potential and wanted to get away from the image of a "duded up" F-5E, so petitioned for a new aircraft designation. The next one in sequence was F-20, so that's what they got. Why the F-20 didn't sell is a story for another place, but it wasn't because of a niche disappearing or its capabilities relative to the F-16
I'm only here for a little bit this time, but I'd like to clear this up. The F-20 was always designed to be generally more capable than the F-16A/B except in raw low speed acceleration (if the F100s held together) and payload/range at altitude. In fact, in many ways it was the equal of and in certain areas superior to the F-16C/D. However, the Carter policy opposed offering such a capable aircraft, saying that nations of a certain category needed to be satisfied with lesser capability aircraft, hence the F-16/79 which generated zero interest. Northrop disguised the Tigershark by asking it to be designated the F-5G, implying that it was simply an F-5E with some changes when it reality it was a lot more. All Carter's policy did was insult potential allies, who just planned to go elsewhere. Reagan's policy was more realistic. GD could now offer F-16 A/Bs (and maybe C/Ds to a few). Northrop now could openly promote the Tigershark's full potential and wanted to get away from the image of a "duded up" F-5E, so petitioned for a new aircraft designation. The next one in sequence was F-20, so that's what they got.
Why the F-20 didn't sell is a story for another place, but it wasn't because of a niche disappearing or its capabilities relative to the F-16
