The Northrop F-5 was developed in the 1950s under the specification NF-156F, as a cheap fighter with low maintenance cost. The first flight took place on 30th July 1959. But for aircraft like the F-5, there was no market at this time. Even if the US Army was interested in the design, to use it for close air support roles, the US Air Force neither wanted to let the US Army fly their fighters, or to fly fighters for the Army.