What is yf-23?

The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 was an American single-seat, twin-engine stealth fighter aircraft prototype designed for the United States Air Force (USAF). It was a finalist in the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition, vying against the Lockheed YF-22 for a production contract.

Key features of the YF-23 included its advanced stealth characteristics, high cruising speed (supercruise), and long range. The aircraft utilized a diamond-shaped wing planform, V-tail configuration, and internal weapons bays to minimize its radar cross-section. Its stealth design was reportedly superior to the YF-22.

Two prototypes were built:

  • YF-23A Prototype Air Vehicle 1 (PAV-1) (serial number 87-0800) nicknamed "Black Widow II"
  • YF-23A Prototype Air Vehicle 2 (PAV-2) (serial number 87-0801) nicknamed "Gray Ghost"

Despite demonstrating impressive performance, including its superior stealth and supercruise capabilities, the YF-23 ultimately lost the ATF competition to the YF-22 in 1991. The reasons for the YF-22's selection reportedly included lower cost and a perception of lower risk, as well as political considerations related to maintaining jobs in different congressional districts.

Although the YF-23 never entered production, its design and technologies influenced later aircraft development, including aspects of the F-22 Raptor and potentially the development of future stealth aircraft.

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