The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23, often referred to as the “Black Widow II,” showed precisely how competitive the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program was in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Developed as a response to supercomputer threats like the Sukhoi Su-27 and Mikoyan MiG-29, the YF-23 came with some of the highest levels of stealth and hypersonic speeds seen anywhere.
The YF-23 epitomizes stealth technology with diamond-shaped wings and a sleek pancake-like airframe. These features minimize drag and radar detection.
Its design is meant to achieve unparalleled aerodynamic efficiency at the same time as it becomes almost invisible to enemy radar systems.
Two prototypes were built, each powered by experimental engines showing different performance characteristics.
The prototype Air Vehicle 1, PAV-1, painted in charcoal grey and called by some ‘Spider’ or ‘Black Widow II, was provided with Pratt & Whitney YF119 engines.
PAV2, usually just called “Gray Ghost”, an obvious derivation from its grey paintwork, employed the General Electric YF120 engines but proved impressive throughout its various tests.
The YF-23 was designed to carry advanced air-to-air missiles in internal bays without jeopardizing its stealth profile. It had a classified skin material that helped reduce the aircraft’s radar cross-section.
It reached a top speed of Mach 2.2, and the range the aircraft could achieve with such a speed was at a distance of 2,796 miles. The YF-23 aircraft claims to have an operational ceiling aof65,000 feet.
Despite its amazing qualities, the YF-23 lost the competition to its rival, the YF-22 “Lightning II,” which now was named the F-22 Raptor.
Agility became a decisive point; YF-22 showed superior maneuverability in dogfighting close quarters.
But, at the same time, this remains an excellent design and a great example of the innovativeness with which it was created.
Both the YF-23 prototypes are now preserved as mementos of this incredible moment in the history of flight.
PAV-1 is at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, while PAV-2 resides in the Western Museum of Flight.
It reminds me of the ingenuity and ambition that made modern stealth fighters. In this regard, the legacy of the YF-23 shall live long after it has inspired further generations.