How Duotech Services Helped Transform F-5 Tiger II Jets Into Advanced Adversary Air Platforms
But to deliver the realism demanded by frontline fighter squadrons, ADAIR companies must continually modernize their legacy platforms—many of which were never designed for today’s mission sets. That’s exactly the challenge one ADAIR company faced when they needed to overhaul and outfit a fleet of F-5 Tiger II aircraft with advanced radar capabilities and electronic warfare systems.
The solution had to be powerful, reliable, and seamlessly integrated into a constrained platform—on budget and on schedule. That’s where Duotech Services came in.
The Challenge: Modern Capabilities in a Legacy Airframe
The customer’s mission was clear: convert a fleet of F-5 Tiger II aircraft into some of the most capable red air platforms in operation. However, they encountered several critical hurdles:
Outdated or Non-Functional Radar Systems: The legacy radars aboard these aircraft were no longer mission-capable.
Lack of OEM Support: Original equipment manufacturers had long since ceased support for radar components on the F-5.
Space, Power, and Cooling Constraints: The aircraft’s design left limited room in the nose cone and elsewhere for modern systems.
Time and Budget Pressure: The contractor required a solution that could be rapidly delivered without exceeding budget constraints.
The answer needed to deliver advanced radar performance and threat awareness while working within the tight constraints of the aircraft.
The Solution: Duotech’s Nemesis Radar and Argus RWR Suite
Duotech responded to the challenge with a two-part custom solution: Nemesis, a compact, multi-mode pulse-Doppler radar system, and Argus, a high-performance radar warning receiver (RWR). Both were developed in-house to meet the specific needs of the adversary training mission and the limitations of the F-5 platform.
Nemesis: Compact, Capable, and Combat-Ready
Nemesis was designed from the ground up for red air operations. Unlike larger, off-the-shelf systems that would require extensive modification to the aircraft, Nemesis fit neatly within the F-5’s nose cone—replacing the internal guns to accommodate the radar system.
Superior Range & Versatility: Nemesis exceeds the detection range of legacy systems like the AN/APG-66 used in competitor aircraft such as the A-4 and older F-16s.
Tailored for Threat Simulation: It can replicate various radar modes and missile engagement profiles, enabling a high-fidelity simulation environment for pilot training.
Upgradeable Architecture: Built with a mechanically scanned array (MESA) antenna today, Nemesis is designed for potential upgrade to an AESA (active electronically scanned array) configuration in the future.
Maximum Reliability: Engineered for high mean time between failure (MTBF), it minimizes maintenance downtime—critical for contracted training operations.
Argus: Full-Spectrum Threat Awareness
To complement Nemesis, Duotech integrated the Argus radar warning receiver suite, providing 360-degree passive situational awareness using wideband detection capabilities.
Seamless F-5 Integration: Argus leverages existing apertures and wiring paths in the F-5, reducing the need for costly structural changes.
True 360° Coverage: Argus scans for and identifies radar emissions across the spectrum, enhancing pilot threat awareness and increasing training realism.
Lightweight and Efficient: Ideal for legacy platforms with tight space and power limitations.
The Process: Design to Delivery
Duotech Services handled the entire lifecycle of the system—from concept to flight-ready integration—ensuring quality, compatibility, and rapid delivery:
Design & Development: We engineered Nemesis and Argus with modular, scalable architectures and mission-driven performance.
System Integration: Hardware and software were integrated into the aircraft with minimal modification.
Testing & Qualification: The systems were thoroughly lab tested, flight tested, and qualified under real-world operating conditions.
Fielding & Support: Delivered and supported with documentation, training, and responsive logistics.
This end-to-end process enabled the customer to move from concept to operational capability faster than traditional OEM timelines, and at a significantly lower cost.
Results: F-5 Aircraft Reimagined for Modern Missions
Today, six of the customer's F-5 aircraft are flying with the Nemesis radar and Argus RWR suite, providing advanced threat simulation capabilities in support of U.S. military pilot training.
Mission-Ready Aircraft: Fully functional red air platforms with radar and RWR capabilities.
Reliable Systems: Built for high availability, minimal downtime, and sustained performance.
Affordable Innovation: Delivered under budget, with scalability for future upgrades.
These aircraft now serve as a force multiplier in combat training environments, delivering realistic threats, radar performance, and electronic warfare simulation to meet the needs of modern air combat readiness.
The Duotech Advantage
At Duotech Services, we specialize in bridging the gap between legacy platforms and modern mission demands. Our solutions are:
Mission-Driven: Designed for your specific operational requirements.
Platform-Conscious: Built to fit within your aircraft’s existing constraints.
Budget and Schedule Aligned: Delivered on time and within cost expectations.
Whether you're upgrading your radar systems, integrating EW components, or breathing new life into legacy airframes, Duotech delivers solutions that work where others can't.
Ready to Modernize Your Fleet?
Our Business Development team is ready to discuss how Duotech Services can help upgrade your aircraft systems for today’s mission demands.
Contact us today business_development@duotechservices.com to learn more about Nemesis, Argus, and our proven capabilities for sustaining and enhancing legacy platforms.
Learn how Duotech Services delivers powerful, space-efficient RADAR and RWR systems like Nemesis and Argus—designed to modernize legacy aircraft for today's demanding adversary air missions.