Northrop YF-23 Black Widow

This is was the competitor for the ATF jet plane, Its rival was the F-22 made by lockheed. This is a unique fighter, its very stealthy, and can go supersonic without afterburners. I'm kinda bummed out that this might never be made in large numbers. Only two or so prototypes were made. I love this plane, look at it!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Northrop
• YF-23
• Black
• Widow
• f-22
• f22
• raptor
• lockheed
• martin
• advanced
• tactical
• fighter
• AFT
• jet
• plane
• airplane
• boeing
• american
• airlines

[1bearcatf8f]

The YF-23 is stealthier,faster,better range,better payload,more aerodynamic,very low drag compared to the F-22.It was an obvious choice.I'd choose pilot protection over agility.

[isaanStyle55]

yf23 looks a lot cooler than the f22...

[godthisisannoying]

Maybe this plane was more expensive to produce than the F22. Maybe it was more prone to technical/operational problems than the F22 (which has a ton). Maybe lockheed simply paid officials more in bribes. Whatever the reason, this will remain a most beautiful plane. I wonder how long before a multi-millionaire can buy the plans from Northrop and have one made for him/herself (de-militarized, ofc). I'm guessing a good few decades, at least.

[fifabarbero17]

Looks very much like Ace Combats assault horizons PAK FA

[ToonandBBfan]

Why did the US Government pick the Raptor over this?

[fkkkkkenig]

@Spjungen if it's really the better fighter, i wouldn't be surprised if there's a few in active service behind the curtain of f22 publicity. never show your enemy all your cards.

[fkkkkkenig]

@philoposos i see a bit of both in those designs.

[philoposos]

« Funny how the Chinese and Russian stealth planes are a copy of this design and not the Raptor. »

[MooseSMW]

Damn it. If they're not going to put this plane into active service, at the very least, fly them in air shows. I for one would LOVE to see that.

[flahr1]

@75scotland The Avro Arrow was a Canadian aircraft (like a mig25). And yes, the Canadian govt killed it.

I remember seeing the yf23 back in the day and it was so futuristic for its time. Funny how the Chinese and Russian stealth planes are a copy of this design and not the Raptor.

[Spjungen]

All I can say is America lost out on a real winner. The YF-23 is a direct descendant, and air-to-air combat adaptation of, the B-2 spirit. NG produced the best of the best when they made the B-2, and the F-23 was the fighter equivalent, the epitome of specialization. The focus of the ATF was stealth, speed, and range, and the F-23 had all of it. F-22 was second in all those except agility, but only by a slight margin, plus I'm sure NG could've incorporated thrust vectoring in later models...