The US Air Force’s YF-23 Fighter ‘Nightmare’

Key Points – The Northrop YF-23 “Black Widow II,” a prototype developed for the US Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter competition in the late 1980s, showcased a radical stealth design with diamond-shaped wings, a V-tail, and internal weapons bays.

-During flight testing, the YF-23 demonstrated superior speed, stealth, and potentially greater range compared to its competitor, the YF-22.

-However, the YF-22 (which became the F-22 Raptor) was ultimately selected, reportedly due to its better maneuverability (attributed to thrust vectoring), a perceived lower program risk due to its more conventional design, and Lockheed Martin’s stronger existing relationship with the Air Force.

The YF-23 Debate

The Northrop YF-23 Black Widow II remains a subject of interest even decades after its loss in the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter competition. In fact, a few years back, there was rumors that one important U.S. ally in Asia was considering a reboot of the stealth fighter.

Developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the YF-23 was one of two prototypes designed to meet the U.S. Air Force’s demand for a next-generation air superiority fighter.

While the Lockheed YF-22 won the competition and went on to become the F-22 Raptor, the YF-23’s unconventional design proved to have enduring appeal.

The Advanced Tactical Fighter Program, Explained

The ATF program was initiated in the early 1980s to develop a replacement for the F-15 Eagle, which, while dominant in its era, faced growing challenges from new Soviet fighter designs and surface-to-air missile systems.

The U.S. Air Force sought an aircraft that combined stealth, supercruise, high maneuverability, and advanced avionics in order to counter highly maneuverable Soviet fighters and increasingly sophisticated air defense systems.

Northrop, partnered with McDonnell Douglas, and Lockheed, working with both Boeing and General Dynamics, were selected to develop prototype aircraft.

Northrop’s entry was the YF-23, while Lockheed developed the YF-22. Both aircraft first flew in the early 1990s and underwent extensive evaluation.

YF-23: Design and Advantages

Of the two ATF entrants, the YF-23 stands out for its radical outward appearance and emphasis on both stealth as well as speed. It featured a pretty sleek, diamond-shaped wing form, blended wing-body configuration, and a steeply canted V-tail, all of which served to reduce the jet’s radar cross-section drastically.

The YF-23 also carried its weapons internally in an internal weapons bay both to maintain its stealth characteristics as well as to minimize drag and extend range. Its two engines were located deep within the airplane’s fuselage to reduce the jet’s radar signature further.

During flight testing, the YF-23 benefited from better speed and superior stealth compared to its competitor, the YF-22.

It could reach supersonic flight and sustain that speed more efficiently thanks to lower aerodynamic drag, which also leads to better fuel efficiency and, therefore, greater range. One of the few shortcomings was the jet’s more limited maneuverability compared to the YF-22.

Why the YF-23 Lost

Despite its many positive aspects, the U.S. Air Force ultimately chose not to select the YF-23 for production.

There were several reasons for this. For starters, the YF-22 had better maneuverability, thanks in part to its thrust-vectoring engine exhaust nozzles, giving that jet an edge in close-range dogfights.

And while the U.S. Air Force did place a premium on long-range combat beyond visual ranges, maneuverability was still a critical consideration.

Another quite important reason was that Lockheed had a better relationship with the U.S. Air Force as well as a reputable track record with other projects, notably the F-117 Nighthawk.

In addition, the YF-22 seemed a safer choice with a lower chance of project complications in part due to its more conventional design.

The YF-23 Black Widow II Comeback?

Despite its age, the YF-23 does remain a topic of discussion in part because of its unique design and rather unconventional outward appearance compared to traditional fighters.

In fact, years ago, as noted above, there were rumors that Japan was interested in the design for a stealth fighter program that was on the table. Needless to say, Tokyo decided to go in another direction, and it was never clear if this was ever under real consideration in the first place. Why would Japan want to build a 1990s fighter jet with old technology needing massive updating, even if the YF-23 did have great promise?

Nonetheless, despite never entering production (only two prototypes were ever built), the YF-23 remains a daring but ultimately unsuccessful alternative to more conventional fifth-generation air superiority fighters.

About the Author: Caleb Larson

Caleb Larson is an American multiformat journalist based in Berlin, Germany. His work covers the intersection of conflict and society, focusing on American foreign policy and European security. He has reported from Germany, Russia, and the United States. Most recently, he covered the war in Ukraine, reporting extensively on the war’s shifting battle lines from Donbas and writing on the war’s civilian and humanitarian toll. Previously, he worked as a Defense Reporter for POLITICO Europe. You can follow his latest work on X.

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