The North American Aviation company was acquired by Rockwell in 1996, but the F-5 Tiger II remained in production until 1999. The aircraft saw significant service with several countries including Australia, Canada, and South Korea. In addition to its military use, the F-5 also gained recognition as a popular air racing competitor. Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation's designation for the aircraft is the F-5 Tiger II, which has been produced in various configurations over the years. The most well-known variants are the F-5E and F-5F Tiger II, which were manufactured from 1973 to 1980.