The YF-23 Black Widow II Could ‘Rescue’ the Navy’s F/A-XX Fighter

Key Points and Summary – The U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter is caught in a political tug-of-war between a skeptical Pentagon and a supportive Congress. To bolster the program, competitor Northrop Grumman released concept art for its bid, revealing a design with similarities to its legendary 1990s YF-23 “Black Widow” prototype.

-Many analysts believe the original YF-23 was stealthier and faster than the F-22 Raptor that defeated it.

-Now, as the F/A-XX program itself faces cancellation threats, the potential comeback of the impressive “Black Widow” design DNA hangs in the balance.

-Bonus: National Security Journal has recently visited both YF-23 fighters that are still in existence, one at the U.S. Air Force Museum, the other outside of Los Angeles at the Western Museum of Flight. We are proud to present original video and photos from those visits included in the text of this article.

YF-23 to the F/A-XX Rescue? 

The Navy’s F/A-XX fighter competition seeking to develop a sixth-generation stealth jet is caught in a tug-of-war between Congress and the Department of Defense. The latter wants to put the program on ice, while the former wants to fund the program (at least on a life-support level).

Caught in the crossfire are sixth-generation fighter designs proposed by Boeing and Northrop Grumman. In August, the corporations tantalized military aviation observers by releasing concept art—undoubtedly hoping to boost F/A-XX politically.

One shouldn’t assume too much from such graphics, given the Pentagon’s historical tendency to obfuscate concept art of advanced aircraft—or even mislead with it.

Still, the art (see below) gives the impression Boeing’s F/A-XX concept is inspired by its F-47 design currently being developed into a production model for the US Air Force. Meanwhile, Grumman’s artwork features elements harkening back to its legendary YF-23 ‘Black Widow’ prototype stealth jet.

F/A-XX Handout Photo from Northrop Grumman.

The YF-23 comparison in particular stems from the very similar shaping of the nose and canopy to minimize radar cross-section. However, the art doesn’t reveal the shape of the wings and tail. Arguably, the YF-23’s diamond-shaped wings and low-canted tail ‘ruddervators’ were its most distinguishing features. The concept art also includes wing-top engine intakes absent from the YF-23.

For now, we don’t know how much of the concept is inherited from the YF-23, and how representative the art is of the actual proposed designs. However, if the similarity is substantial, it would be a remarkable comeback for a design concept many aviation enthusiasts estimate had superior overall performance to the rival design chosen for production as the F-22A Raptor stealth fighter.

Doubly intriguing is that decades ago, Northrop-Grumman drafted a heavily revised carrier-based YF-23 spinoff provisionally dubbed the NATF-23. Yet given F/A-XX’s current dicey-looking prospects and competition from Boeing, it’s also possible Northrop Grumman’s concept could end up canceled yet again.

Raptor versus Black Widow: Why the better plane (on paper) didn’t win

The ‘Black Widow’ monicker pertains to two YF-23 prototypes built by Northrop Grumman for the Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition seeking a stealth fighter that could reliably outmatch the Soviet Union’s fourth-generation MiG-29 and Su-27 jets.

The two YF-23s—PAV-1 ‘Spider’ and PAV-2 ‘Gray Ghost—were tailored to integrate different prototype turbofan engines being competed concurrently: the Pratt & Whitney YF119 and the more avant-garde General Electric YF120 adaptive-cycle engine.

Following trials held 1990-1991, the Air Force selected Lockheed’s competing YF-22 and the YF119 engine for production. Given that 30 years later the F-22A Raptor still reigns supreme in air-to-air capabilities (despite some consequential shortcomings in other respects), one might think that didn’t much recommend the YF-23.

Yet post-trial accounts suggest the Black Widow outperformed the YF-22 in critical ways. It had an even smaller overall radar cross-section, particularly when scanned from side or rear angles, greater range, and better supersonic cruising capacity.

YF-23A Black Widow Outside. Taken by Harry J. Kazianis for National Security Journal on August 16, 2025.

YF-23A Side View Western Museum of Flight. Image by National Security Journal.

The YF-22’s one clear superior aspect lay in maneuverability (aided by thrust-vectoring engines) and G-Force tolerance, leverageable for within-visual-range air-to-air combat. That agility meant F-22s not only came with the massive stealth advantage, but could outperform non-stealth jets in traditional air combat maneuvers too—a standard the following F-35 didn’t aim for.

From the vantage of the 2020s, the YF-23’s strengths in stealth, range, and efficient supercruising are far more relevant than the YF-22’s super maneuverability. But that was less the consensus in the 1990s, when in recent air wars, visual-range missile attacks still accounted for the vast majority of kills. Furthermore, long-range was less critical for defending Europe from the Soviets, and China’s military remained badly outdated and a quasi-ally.

Yet other factors worked against the YF-23: the significant costs and delays affecting Northrop-Grumman’s concurrent B-2 stealth bomber, the complexity of the YF-23, a reportedly superior presentation made by Lockheed’s team, and the general sentiment that the YF-22 was the lower-risk and lower-cost option that nonetheless satisfied competition requirements.

There was likely also consideration that Lockheed possibly needed the win to preserve its fighter-production business—a legitimate concern given the US aviation industry would soon consolidate down to just three corporations realistically able to develop jet fighters.

YF-23 Back End. Image by Harry J. Kazianis/National Security Journal. Taken back in July 2025 at USAF Museum.

Finally, the YF-22 was reportedly more mature in terms of systems integration and performed a test missile shot, while Northrop’s team only demonstrated that the YF-23 could carry missiles. Of course, how well the YF-23 would have faired evolving into an operational aircraft is unknowable, as the F-22 and especially F-35 suffered major delays and cost overruns stemming from unanticipated challenges integrating systems into their airframes.

NATF-23: The Naval Black Widow That Could Have Been

An interesting footnote in the Black Widow’s frustrated story was that Northrop also proposed a carrier-based YF-23 spinoff to the Navy for its parallel Navy Advanced Tactical Fighter competition, designated the NATF-23 or DP-527.

Of course, this entailed integrating the usual tail hook, folding wings, larger, more rugged landing gears, and aerodynamic modifications for improved lift and low-speed handling to enable takeoff and landings on cramped carrier decks.

YF-23 Black Widow II Fighter Gray Ghost. Image Credit: National Security Journal.

YF-23 National Security Journal Close Up Photo

Northrop YF-23 National Security Journal Photo. Taken on July 19, 2025.

But the Black Widow’s 21-meter-long airframe needed resizing to fit within the 15-16 meter-long elevator of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. The NATF-23’s squashed fuselage had the diamond wings shifted rearward, but made wider and foldable. Additional canted canard wings were situated behind the cockpit, while the tail control surfaces were angled upward. Thrust-vectoring engines were introduced, while the weapons bay was split into two separate bays to allow for a centerline beam able to externally carry larger Navy missiles.

Though NATF-23 was never built, a wind tunnel testing model was extensively tested. But by then, the willingness to foot the bill of concurrently developing a carrier-based stealth fighter was evaporating. Thus, NATF and then the A-12 carrier-based stealth bomber were canceled. The Navy waited nearly three more decades to operationally deploy its first stealth fighter, the F-35C adapted from the Air Force’s land-based F-35A.

Will the YF-23 Black Widow be Spurned Again?

History may repeat itself. In 2025, the Air Force received its next-generation stealth fighter, while the Navy’s stealth program may be effectively shelved—if the Department of Defense gets its way. Defense Secretary Hegseth argues that the US lacks sufficient industrial capacity to develop two fighters (unlike China, apparently).

However, the actual limitation is not industrial, but rather the willingness to fund two ambitious new fighter programs concurrently.  Hegseth apparently believes China could sink all US aircraft carriers with minimal effort and thus may oppose investing in major upgrades.

However, the Navy has fought back unusually strongly for F/A-XX, and supporters in Congress may insist that F/A-XX receive sustainment funding. That could kick the can down the road in hopes there’s a change of heart (or management) at the DoD in favor of spending the larger sums needed to complete development and production.

An additional variable is the Navy’s surprise announcement on August 5 that it was issuing five contracts for carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft fighter drones for teaming with manned jets—following statements from the Navy suggesting it wasn’t rushing to integrate CCA drones in the near term, letting the Air Force take the lead.

The abrupt change of heart may be related to F/A-XX for several reasons:

-It could be aimed at mollifying the Navy and its backers by offering CCA drones in place of F/A-XX.

-It reflects the Trump administration’s preference for unmanned over manned platforms. The administration also has ties to specific tech sector interests that have promoted their own drone, missile, and space-based products while denigrating the traditional military aviation sector.

-It could redirect potential F/A-XX funding to CCA development (which the anti-FA/XX crew would argue is more important)

Both F-35Cs and hypothetical F/A-XXs will support control of CCA drone fighters. So F/A-XX opponents may argue that F-35Cs teamed with CCAs are sufficient to hold the line. Meanwhile, F/A-XX advocates will insist its distinct or improved capabilities are critical for keeping pace with China’s increasingly stealthy air power.

The Navy has publicly shared a few specifics about F/A-XX requirements, other than that it’s multi-role (not air-superiority focused like the F-22A and F-47), designed for teaming with CCAs, and will have at least 25% greater range than currently possible. That last is helpful in potential conflict scenarios with China in the Pacific, though a smaller boost than many hoped for.

YF-23 Black Widow Fighter in California. Image Credit: National Security Journal/Harry J. Kazianis.

If F/A-XX does advance, the final selection between Boeing and Northrop-Grumman’s rival isn’t a foregone conclusion. A third potential competitor, Lockheed, reportedly dropped out of the competition because its proposal didn’t meet Navy requirements. A carrier-based take on Boeing’s land-based F-47 (suggested by concept art) has potential efficiencies.

But the Navy might reject another hand-me-down Air Force design. And Northrop has managed its complex B-21 Raider program with surprisingly little drama, while the opposite is true of Boeing’s performance on the F-15EX fighter, KC-46 tanker, and T-7 trainer. Finally, Boeing, having just won the big F-47 contract, seems likely to favor Northrop-Grumman.

What Happens Next for F/A-XX? 

For now, it’s probably best not to read too much into the few details discernible in concept art. Truly, the first hurdle ahead is determining whether F/A-XX is built at all! Still, it’s intriguing to think there’s a chance the design DNA of the legendary Black Widow could wind up in the Navy’s next-generation fighter more than thirty years later.

YF-23 National Security Journal Photo. Taken by Harry J. Kazianis at U.S. Air Force Museum on 7/19/2025.

About the Author: Defense Expert Sebastian Roblin

Sebastien Roblin writes on the technical, historical, and political aspects of international security and conflict for publications including The National Interest, NBC News, Forbes.com, and War is Boring. He holds a Master’s degree from Georgetown University and served with the Peace Corps in China. Roblin is also a National Security Journal Contributing Editor.

More Military 

China’s New J-20S Is the Double Trouble Problem for the F-35 

The F-35 Is the iPhone of Stealth Fighter Planes 

The Road to a NATO-Russia War 

The F-22 Never Had a ‘Cloaking Device’ 

J-20A: The Plane Built to Fight the F-22 and F-35