In 1970 the USAF requested a new light fighter aircraft it could exported to America's allies (Under the Mutual Assistance Plan) or put on the international market. Northrop decided offered up a brand-new variant, the F-5E 'Tiger II'. Named to honor the well-known Skoshi Tiger Unit that was formed solely to test out the F-5A during the Vietnam War. The F-5E Tiger II became an enormous hit on the export market. For a price of about two million dollars US (Today), a country could equip its air force with a light, modern single-seat fighter.