Aircraft Video Profile: YF-23 Black Widow

Published by Vref.org (YF-23)

The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 was an American single-seat, twin-engine fighter aircraft technology demonstrator designed for the United States Air Force (USAF). The design was a finalist in the USAF’s Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition, battling the Lockheed YF-22 for a production contract. Two YF-23 prototypes were built with the nicknames “Black Widow II” and “Gray Ghost”.

See Test Flight Video – Click

In the 1980s, the USAF began looking for a replacement for its fighter aircraft, especially to counter the USSR’s advanced Sukhoi Su-27 and Mikoyan MiG-29. Several companies submitted design proposals; the USAF selected proposals from Northrop and Lockheed. Northrop teamed with McDonnell Douglas to develop the YF-23, while Lockheed, Boeing and General Dynamics developed the YF-22.

Test Flight Video YF-23 – Video Interview YF-23 Test Pilot Paul Metz

The YF-23 was stealthier and faster, but less agile than its competitor. After a four-year development and evaluation process, the YF-22 was announced the winner in 1991 and entered production as the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. The U.S. Navy considered using the production version of the ATF as the basis for a replacement to the F-14, but these plans were later canceled. The two YF-23 prototypes were museum exhibits as of 2009.[1][2]

Design of the YF-23 Black Widow
Development

American reconnaissance satellites first spotted the advanced Soviet Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter prototypes in 1978, which caused concern in the U.S. Both Soviet models were expected to reduce the maneuverability advantage of contemporary US fighter aircraft.[3] In 1981, the USAF requested information from several aerospace companies on possible features for an Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) to replace the F-15 Eagle. After discussions with aerospace companies, the USAF made air to air combat the primary role for the ATF.[4] The ATF was to take advantage of emerging technologies, including composite materials, lightweightalloys, advanced flight-control systems, more powerful propulsion systems, and stealth technology.[1] In October 1985, the USAF issued a request for proposal (RFP) to several aircraft manufacturers. The RFP was modified in May 1986 to include evaluation of prototype air vehicles from the two finalists. At the same time, the U.S. Navy, under the Navalized Advanced Tactical Fighter (NATF) program, announced that it would use a derivative of the ATF winner to replace its F-14 Tomcat. The NATF program called for procurement of 546 aircraft along with the USAF’s planned procurement of 750 aircraft.[5]

Top view of black jet aircraft, showing trapezoidal wings, engine nozzle, and two-piece tail. The separation between the forward fuselage and engine nacelles are apparent.

Top view of the YF-23, showing the trapezoidal wings and separation between the forward fuselage and engine nacelles

In July 1986, proposals were submitted by Lockheed, Boeing, General Dynamics, McDonnell Douglas, Northrop, Grumman and Rockwell. The latter two dropped out of competition shortly thereafter.[6] Following proposal submissions, Lockheed, Boeing, and General Dynamics formed a team to develop whichever of their proposed designs was selected, if any. Northrop and McDonnell Douglas formed a team with a similar agreement.[7] The Lockheed and Northrop proposals were selected as finalists on 31 October 1986. Both teams were given 50 months to build and flight-test their prototypes, and they were successful, producing the Lockheed YF-22 and the Northrop YF-23.[8]

The YF-23 was designed to meet USAF requirements for survivability, supercruise, stealth, and ease of maintenance.[9] Supercruise requirements called for prolonged supersonic flight without the use of afterburners.[10] Northrop drew on its experience with the B-2 Spirit and F/A-18 Hornet to reduce the model’s susceptibility to radar andinfrared detection.[11] The USAF initially required the aircraft to land and stop within 2,000 feet (610 m), which meant the use of thrust reversers on their engines. In 1987, the USAF changed the runway length requirement to 3,000 feet (914 m), so thrust reversers were no longer needed. This allowed the aircraft to have smaller engine nacellehousings. The nacelles were not downsized on the prototypes.[12][13]

The first YF-23 (serial number 87-0800), Prototype Air Vehicle 1 (PAV-1), was rolled out on 22 June 1990;[14] PAV-1 took its 50-minute maiden flight on 27 August with Alfred “Paul” Metz at the controls.[15] The second YF-23 (serial number 87-0801, PAV-2) made its first flight on 26 October, piloted by Jim Sandberg.[16] The first YF-23 was painted charcoal gray and was nicknamed “Spider”[16] and “Black Widow II”, the latter after the Northrop P-61 Black Widow of World War II. It briefly had a red hourglass marking resembling the marking on the underside of the black widow spider before Northrop management had it removed.[17][18][N 1] The second prototype was painted in two shades of gray and nicknamed “Gray Ghost”.[19]

Design

Front view of jet aircraft showing curving exterior. The tail is V-shaped.

A front view of 87–0801 showing the curving exterior of the design.

The YF-23 was an unconventional-looking aircraft, with diamond-shaped wings, a profile with substantial area-ruling to reduce drag at trans-sonic speeds, and an all-moving V-tail. The cockpit was placed high, near the nose of the aircraft for good visibility for the pilot. The aircraft featured a tricycle landing gear configuration with a nose landing gearleg and two main landing gear legs. The weapons bay was placed on the underside of the fuselage between the nose and main landing gear.[20] The cockpit has a center stick and side throttle.[21]

It was powered by two turbofan engines with each in a separate engine nacelle on either side of the aircraft’s spine.[22] Of the two aircraft built, the first YF-23 (PAV-1) was fitted with Pratt & Whitney YF119 engines, while the second (PAV-2) was powered by General Electric YF120 engines. The aircraft featured fixed engine nozzles, instead of thrust vectoring nozzles as on the YF-22.[12] As on the B-2, the exhaust from the YF-23’s engines flowed through troughs lined with heat-ablating tiles to dissipate heat and shield the engines from infrared (IR) missile detection from below.[11]

The flight control surfaces were controlled by a central management computer system. Raising the wing flaps and ailerons on one side and lowering them on the other providedroll. The V-tail fins were angled 50 degrees from the vertical. Pitch was mainly provided by rotating these V-tail fins in opposite directions so their front edges moved together or apart. Yaw was primarily supplied by rotating the tail fins in the same direction. Test pilot Paul Metz stated that the YF-23 had superior high angle-of-attack (AoA) performance compared to legacy aircraft.[23] Deflecting the wing flaps down and ailerons up on both sides simultaneously provided for aerodynamic braking.[24]

To keep costs low despite the novel design, a number of “off-the-shelf” components were used, including an F-15 nose wheel, F/A-18 main landing gear parts, and the forward cockpit components of the F-15E Strike Eagle.[11][16]

Operational history

A YF-22 in the foreground with a YF-23 in the background

Evaluation[edit]

The first YF-23, with Pratt & Whitney engines, supercruised at Mach 1.43 on 18 September 1990, while the second, with General Electric engines, reached Mach 1.6 on 29 November 1990. By comparison, the YF-22 achieved Mach 1.58 in supercruise.[25] The YF-23 was tested to a top speed of Mach 1.8 with afterburners and achieved a maximum angle-of-attack of 25°.[26] The maximum speed is classified, though sources state a maximum speed greater than Mach 2 at altitude and a supercruise speed greater than Mach 1.6.[27] The aircraft’s weapons bay was configured for weapons launch, and used for testing weapons bay acoustics, but no missiles were fired; Lockheed fired AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles successfully from its YF-22 demonstration aircraft. PAV-1 performed a fast-paced combat demonstration with six flights over a 10-hour period on 30 November 1990. Flight testing continued into December.[28] The two YF-23s flew 50 times for a total of 65.2 hours.[29] The tests demonstrated Northrop’s predicted performance values for the YF-23.[30] The YF-23 was stealthier and faster, but the YF-22 was more agile.[31][32]

The two contractor teams submitted evaluation results with their proposals in December 1990,[30] and on 23 April 1991, Secretary of the Air Force Donald Rice announced that the YF-22 was the winner.[33] The Air Force selected the YF119 engine to power the F-22 production version. The Lockheed and Pratt & Whitney designs were rated higher on technical aspects, were considered lower risks, and were considered to have more effective program management.[33][34] It has been speculated in the aviation press that the YF-22 was also seen as more adaptable to the Navy’s NATF, but by 1992 the U.S. Navy had abandoned NATF.[35][36]

Following the competition, both YF-23s were transferred to NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB, California, without their engines.[11][37] NASA planned to use one of the aircraft to study techniques for the calibration of predicted loads to measured flight results, but this did not take place.[37]

Possible revival

In late 2004, Northrop Grumman proposed a YF-23-based bomber to meet a USAF need for an interim bomber, for which the FB-22 and B-1R were also competing.[38] Northrop modified aircraft PAV-2 to serve as a display model for its proposed interim bomber.[30] The possibility of a YF-23-based interim bomber ended with the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review, which favored a long-range bomber with a much greater range.[39][40] The USAF has since begun the Next-Generation Bomber program.[41]

Aircraft on display[edit]

Restoration work at the USAF Museum

Both YF-23 airframes remained in storage until mid-1996, when the aircraft were transferred to museums.[37]

  • YF-23A PAV-1, serial number 87-0800, registration number N231YF, was on display as of 2009 in the Research and Development hangar of the National Museum of the United States Air Force near Dayton, Ohio.[42]
  • YF-23A PAV-2, serial number 87-0801, registration number N232YF, was on exhibit at the Western Museum of Flight until 2004,[37] when it was reclaimed by Northrop Grumman and used as a display model for a YF-23-based bomber.[43] PAV-2 was returned to the Western Museum of Flight and was on display as of 2010 at the museum’s new location at Torrance Airport, Torrance, California.[2]

Specifications (YF-23)

A rear view of a YF-23, showing its tile-lined exhaust channels

Data from Pace,[44] Sweetman,[45] Winchester,[11] Aronstein,[27] National Museum of the U.S. Air Force[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 (pilot)
  • Length: 67 ft 5 in (20.60 m)
  • Wingspan: 43 ft 7 in (13.30 m)
  • Height: 13 ft 11 in (4.30 m)
  • Wing area: 900 ft2 (88 m2)
  • Empty weight: 29,000 lb (13,100 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 51,320 lb (23,327 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 62,000 lb (29,000 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × General Electric YF120 or Pratt & Whitney YF119 turbofan, 35,000 lbf (156 kN) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed:
    • At altitude: Mach 2.2+ (1,450+ mph, 2,335+ km/h)
    • Supercruise: Mach 1.6+ (1,060+ mph, 1,706+ km/h)
  • Range: over 2,790 mi (over 4,500 km)
  • Combat radius: 750–800 nmi (865–920 mi, 1,380–1480 km)
  • Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (19,800 m)
  • Wing loading: 54 lb/ft2 (265 kg/m2)
  • Thrust/weight: 1.36

Armament

None as tested but provisions made for:[11]

  • 1 × 20 mm (0.79 in) M61 Vulcan cannon
  • 4 × AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range air-to-air missiles[11][46]
  • 2 × AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles[46]

65 Responses to "Aircraft Video Profile: YF-23 Black Widow"

  1. Hello. And Bye.

  2. Earn additional money without efforts and skills.
    Link – https://tinyurl.com/y7t5j7yc

  3. Even a child knows how to make $100 today.
    Link – https://tinyurl.com/y7t5j7yc

  4. Everything is very open with a precise clarification of the issues.
    It was really informative. Your website is very helpful.
    Many thanks for sharing!

  5. Does your website have a contact page? I’m having a tough
    time locating it but, I’d like to shoot you
    an email. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested
    in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand over
    time.

    My web site – 먹튀검증업체

  6. Доктор рекомендовал препарата

    купить велпатасвир +в аптеке

  7. I have read so many articles regarding the blogger lovers
    except this post is actually a nice piece of writing,
    keep it up.

  8. Finery Webshop towards Iphone, Samsung and Xuaw
    ei Case
    https://www.sms.hr

  9. мастерский вебсайт
    https://sexreliz.net/anal/546-lovushka-s-syurprizom.html

  10. The additional income for everyone.
    Link – https://tinyurl.com/y7t5j7yc

  11. You are my inhalation, I possess few web logs and often run out from brand :).

    my page: exam

  12. Если вам нужно заказать винтовой конвейер в Самаре, то советую воспользоваться услугами компании «Проект плюс». Их сайт находится по адресу всеконвейеры.рф. Работают по всей России. Цены демократичные, сроки изготовления очень быстрые, качество хорошее.
    Купить винтовой конвейер в Самаре можно заказав на сайте всеконвейеры.рф

  13. DonaldEmatt

    Guys just made a site for me, look at the link:
    https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&url=http%3A%2F%2Fstroycomp1.ru/chto-podarit-esli-vybirat-iz-serebryanyh-izdelij
    Tell me your prescriptions. THX!

  14. Добрый день! Друзья помогите, недавно веб студия

    https://site-la-comanda.md создала редизайн моего сайта webmaster.md. Хотел поинтересоваться как считаете, получилось хорошо или плохо? Спасибо за ранее.

  15. DonaldEmatt

    Guys just made a web-page for me, look at the link:
    https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&url=http%3A%2F%2Fozon-c.ru/originalnye-serebryanye-izdeliya Tell me your recommendations. Thanks.

  16. Fantastic site you have here but I was curious about
    if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
    I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get advice from other experienced individuals that
    share the same interest. If you have any recommendations,
    please let me know. Appreciate it!

  17. Earning money in the Internet is easy if you use Robot.
    Link – https://tinyurl.com/y7t5j7yc

  18. супер слот онлайн казино

    турниры слотов на официальном сайте super slots

  19. скачать пин ап казино на телефон

    секреты казино pin up

  20. плей фортуна официальное зеркало

    Р±РѕРЅСѓСЃ РєРѕРґ play fortuna 2020

  21. казино вулкан слотс обзор

    вулкан slots зеркало

  22. Very energetic article, I enjoyed that bit. Will there be a
    part 2?

  23. does homemade viagra really work what happens after taking viagra natural viagra herbs

  24. Scottaluch

    Guys just made a website for me, look at the link:
    https://ideyabest.webflow.io/ Tell me your references. Thank you.

  25. No worries if you are fired. Work online.
    Link – https://tinyurl.com/y7t5j7yc

  26. Scottaluch

    Guys just made a site for me, look at the link:
    http://stroyplun.mystrikingly.com/ Tell me your testimonials. Thanks!

  27. Baby Changing Backpack VERSION], Wide Open Large Baby Diaper Bag Changing Rucksack for Mums and Dads, Pram Bag with USB Port, Stroller Straps

    Toddler Clementine Capri Leggings for Yogachool and Workout

  28. Invest $1 today to make $1000 tomorrow.
    Link – – https://tinyurl.com/y7t5j7yc

  29. Geraldgluff

    Guys just made a web-page for me, look at the link:
    https://tellgamblingtales.io.ua/ Tell me your prescriptions. THX!

  30. # 1 financial expert in the net! Check out the new Robot.
    Link – https://plbtc.page.link/zXbp

  31. Excellent web site you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to
    find excellent writing like yours nowadays. I
    truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!

  32. Keep on working, great job!

  33. I know this web site offers quality depending posts and other information, is there any other
    website which offers these data in quality?

  34. american health viagra can i eat after taking viagra viagra blog

  35. Joycasino online Official Site https://twitter.com/fartajop

  36. Magzhan Kenesbai emerging markets expertise

    Magzhan Kenesbai investments into Private Equity

  37. Howdy! cost of lasix medication where to purchase lasix

  38. We have found the fastest way to be rich. Find it out here.
    Link – https://tinyurl.com/y7t5j7yc

  39. Добрый день!
    Норвежский дом – новые тенденции малоэтажного строительства домов и бань.
    Это не шутка. Действительно на вашем участке можно построить дом, баню или дом-баню всего лишь за один день.
    Дело в том, что строительство дома, бани или дома-бани на заводе занимает от 30 дней.
    Цена просто смех! Дешевле, чем 1 комн. квартира. Скажу больше, обмана здесь нет и это не маркетинговая фишка. Реально можно построить норвежский дом дешевле, чем купить квартиру.
    Конструкция стен, потолка и пола очень теплая, теплее, чем из обычных материалов. Сэкономите на отопление.
    Строительство 100% качественное без брака, с соблюдением всех строительных норм и технологических процессов.
    Если вы заинтересовались:
    Норвежские деревни дома
    Можете смело остановить дальнейшие поиски. Потому что производитель дает гарантию на дом, баню или дом-баню!
    Увидимся!

  40. Rjmiixq

    Qadutlh

    aspen@all7of.us
    :

  41. It’s great that you are getting thoughts from this paragraph as
    well as from our dialogue made at this place.

    my web blog – 먹튀사이트

  42. You are my breathing in, I have few web logs and infrequently run out from brand :).

    Here is my web-site … exam

  43. Online earnings are the easiest way for financial independence.
    Link – https://tinyurl.com/y7t5j7yc

  44. Make yourself rich in future using this financial robot.
    Link – https://tinyurl.com/y7t5j7yc

  45. Check out the newest way to make a fantastic profit.
    Link – https://tinyurl.com/y7t5j7yc

  46. вулкан слотс установить

    vulkanslots

  47. Elowel Boys Girls Yellow and White Stripe 2 Piece Pajama Set 100% Cotton (Size 12 M-12 Years)

    Converse Infant Toddler 6 Pair Pack Socks (Blue (024), 12-24 Months)

  48. вулкан слотс телефон

    казино вулкан слотс

  49. супер слотс залы

    superslots casino

  50. супер слот

    superslots отзывы

  51. Качество по низкой цене

    +как принимать софосбувир велпатасвир

  52. Всем привет!
    Норвежский дом – новые тенденции малоэтажного строительства частных домов и бань.
    Это не шутка. Действительно на вашем участке можно построить дом, баню или дом-баню всего лишь за один день.
    Дело в том, что строительство дома, бани или дома-бани на заводе займет от 30 дней.
    Цены довольно смешные! Дешевле, чем однокомнатная квартира. Скажу больше, обмана здесь нет и это не маркетинговая фишка. Реально можно построить норвежский дом дешевле, чем купить квартиру.
    Конструкция стен, потолка и пола очень теплая, теплее, чем из обычных материалов. Сэкономите на отопление.
    Строительство реально качественное без брака, с соблюдением всех технологических процессов и строительных норм.
    Если вас заинтересовало:
    ЖК норвежский дом
    Можете смело остановить дальнейшие поиски. Потому что производитель дает гарантию на дом, баню или дом-баню!
    Увидимся!

  53. Доброго времени суток!
    Норвежский дом – новые тенденции строительства частных домов и бань.
    Это не шутка. Действительно на вашем участке можно построить дом, баню или дом-баню всего лишь за 1 день.
    Дело в том, что строительство дома, бани или дома-бани на заводе занимает от 30 дней.
    Цена просто смех! Дешевле, чем 1 комн. квартира. Скажу больше, обмана здесь нет и это не маркетинговая фишка. Реально можно построить норвежский дом дешевле, чем купить квартиру.
    Конструкция стен, потолка и пола реально теплая, теплее, чем из традиционных материалов. Будете экономить на отопление.
    Строительство 100% качественное без брака, с соблюдением всех строительных норм и технологических процессов.
    Если вам интересно:
    Норвежские дома в Калининградской области
    Можете смело остановить дальнейшие поиски. Потому что производитель дает гарантию на дом, баню или дом-баню!
    Увидимся!

  54. Доброго времени суток!
    Норвежский дом – новые тенденции строительства домов и бань.
    Без шуток. Действительно на вашем участке дом, баню или дом-баню можно построить всего лишь за 1 день.
    Суть в том, что строительство дома, бани или дома-бани на заводе займет от 30 дней.
    Цена просто смех! Дешевле, чем 1 комн. квартира. Скажу больше, обмана здесь нет и это не маркетинговая фишка. Реально можно построить норвежский дом дешевле, чем купить квартиру.
    Конструкция стен, потолка и пола реально теплая, теплее, чем из традиционных материалов. Будете экономить на отопление.
    Строительство реально качественное без брака, с соблюдением всех технологических процессов и строительных норм.
    Если вас заинтересовало:
    Норвежский дом за 1
    Можете смело остановить дальнейшие поиски. Тем более на дом, баню или дом-баню есть гарантия от производителя!
    До новых встреч!

  55. Добрый день!
    Норвежский дом – новые тенденции малоэтажного строительства домов и бань.
    Это не шутка. Действительно на вашем участке можно построить дом, баню или дом-баню всего лишь за 1 день.
    Суть в том, что строительство дома, бани или дома-бани на заводе займет от 30 дней.
    Цены просто смешные! Дешевле, чем однокомнатная квартира. Скажу больше, обмана нет и это не маркетинговый трюк. Реально построить норвежский дом можно дешевле, чем купить квартиру.
    Конструкция стен, потолка и пола реально теплая, теплее, чем из традиционных материалов. Будете экономить на отопление.
    Строительство 100% качественное без брака, с соблюдением всех строительных норм и технологических процессов.
    Если вы заинтересовались:
    Дома по норвежской технологии проекты
    Можете смело остановиться на своем выборе. Тем более на дом, баню или дом-баню есть гарантия от производителя!
    Всем пока!

  56. Добрый день!
    Норвежский дом – новые тенденции малоэтажного строительства частных домов и бань.
    Это не шутка. Действительно на вашем участке дом, баню или дом-баню можно построить всего лишь за один день.
    Дело в том, что строительство дома, бани или дома-бани на заводе займет от 30 дней.
    Цена просто смех! Дешевле, чем 1 комн. квартира. Скажу больше, обмана нет и это не маркетинговый трюк. Реально построить норвежский дом можно дешевле, чем купить квартиру.
    Конструкция стен, потолка и пола реально теплая, теплее, чем из традиционных материалов. Будете экономить на отопление.
    Строительство 100% качественное без брака, с соблюдением всех строительных норм и технологических процессов.
    Если вас заинтересовало:
    Норвежский дом своими руками
    Можете смело остановить дальнейшие поиски. Тем более на дом, баню или дом-баню есть гарантия от производителя!
    Увидимся!