Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23
Northrop / McDonnell Douglas · United States · first flew 1990 · fighter
The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 was one of two prototype competitors in the USAF Advanced Tactical Fighter competition that ultimately selected the Lockheed YF-22, which became the F-22 Raptor. Two YF-23 prototypes were built, demonstrating exceptional stealth and speed.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Stealthy trapezoidal inlets under blended wing-body |
| T — Tail | V-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- ATF competitor with distinctive diamond wing and V-tail
- Stealthy trapezoidal inlets under blended wing-body
- No conventional horizontal tail — V-tail provides pitch and yaw control
Unmistakable due to its diamond-shaped wing planform, V-tail replacing conventional horizontal and vertical stabilizers, and deeply blended body with trapezoidal engine inlets. The absence of a conventional tail and the very broad wing chord are unique identifiers.
Specifications
- The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 has a length of 20.55 m (67 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.28 m (44 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1960 km/h (1218 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The YF-23 first flew on 27 August 1990. During the ATF fly-off against the YF-22, it demonstrated supercruise capability and superior stealth characteristics, but the USAF ultimately selected the YF-22 in April 1991, citing better maneuverability and lower risk. Both YF-23 airframes survive: one at the National Museum of the USAF and one at the Western Museum of Flight.
Variants
Two prototypes were built — PAV-1 in gray ('Black Widow II') and PAV-2 in tan ('Gray Ghost'), powered by different engine types (Pratt & Whitney YF119 and General Electric YF120 respectively).
Where you'll see it
Never entered production or service; both prototypes are preserved in US air museums.
Related aircraft
- Grumman F-14D Super Tomcat
- Hongdu JL-8
- Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics YF-22
- NAMC JL-8 (K-8 Karakorum)
Compared head-to-head
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