Northrop YF-23 in Action | The Unlucky Stealth Fighter

The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23, is an American single-seat, twin-engine stealth fighter aircraft technology demonstrator designed for the United States Air Force. The design was a finalist in the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition, battling the Lockheed YF-22 for a production contract. At the end of the competition, the YF-22 were the winners.
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[@earsplitingloud]

Even now in the 2023 the YF-23 is very futuristic looking.

[@turkfiles]

I worked for Northrop at that time. It really broke the spirit of the company. Fortunately, we had the B2. However, the quantity that the Air Force ordered was no where near what the original build- out was supposed to be. They literally had to sell the land that my division was built upon in Anaheim to help fund the completion of the B2 due to a change in the way, the government paid the aerospace contractors. So, I lost my job. That was the one thing about Northrop is that they just didn’t know how to put on a show when they needed to do it. Granted, the F 22 is a great airplane but I believe the F 23 especially with all of the advances that would’ve been made to it since its inception, would’ve made it into, one of the most formidable fighters in the sky. I’m not sure, but I believe its super cruise top speed is still classified.

[@justinchey2281]

Can you get me an internship at Northrop next summer? Could use a connection like you to one day be a part of a beautiful project like this!

[@turkfiles]

@@justinchey2281 wish I could help. I left Northrop in 1990. I’d have to say that more than likely do have internships available. It’s largely dependent on your background, such as computer and software engineering, and ME, EE, or aerospace, plus hard sciences like physics, chemistry, material sciences, high level math etc that could get you in the door. Also, if you want to get into the IT and business side, they would have needs there as well. Do you have a college that could help you? They’re always doing career conventions all over the country.

[@user-bc2nr6rh1y]

Yup all true. Paul Metz even believes that the gun isn't needed as well

[@user-bc2nr6rh1y]

N Lockheed didn't really win either look what happened to that program

[@steveparks7058]

I worked there at that time as well. !

[@stanstanly3812]

I was lucky enough to see the YF-23 fly several times at Edwards AFB. Amazing plane.

[@danapeck5382]

Total envy

[@andyhughes1776]

You must have worn special glasses because that thing could disappear instantly! 😁😁

[@lv2465]

IMHO still one of the most beautiful aeronautical piece of engineering ever built. Imagine her with upgrades, still very much a formidable aircraft.

[@velocitymg]

There’s been a few rumours recently suggesting that it could be put into production again, but I think the cost blowout from the f35 program and the focus on 6th gen NGAD has pretty much killed that option

[@waynedouglas5150]

I agree way to amazing of an aircraft lost because of lobbyist lining pockets It would be awesome to see it upgraded and be the first 6th generation fighter but thats just me ive loved the YF23 since I saw it on a poster in a bowling ally like 24 years ago lol

[@lv2465]

@@samplechannel2fiyd5idjfufjfud your opinion bro. 🙂

[@bertg.6056]

I was privileged to see and closely inspect one of the YF-23 prototypes at the Western Museum of Flight in Torrance, CA. What a beautiful machine !

[@lv2465]

@@bertg.6056 imo she's just stunning and many forget she's a winged weapon.

[@shelbyseelbach9568]

This is absolutely the best-looking fighter plane the US has ever designed. I was almost heart broken when it lost out to the F-22.

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

Agree and same here, IMO the F22 looks like an F15 on steroids.

[@Pyreax865]

@@wilsonrawlin8547that’s basically what it is, it’s the F-15’s son. 😂

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

@@Pyreax865 Agree,

[@NEntv58]

100%

[@jamesdarlington]

F22 is far better looking than this🤣

[@faisalsaeed5402]

The design was years ahead of its time. It still is! Nothing modern comes close to how amazing this aircraft looks.

[@g.w.7893]

Couldn't agree more. Phenomenal plane.

[@thepirate5955]

I have always thought this aircraft was far more beautiful than its competitor.

[@femtoeclipse860]

I’m just happy that We are able to produce aircraft that are decades ahead of their time.

[@kcchiok]

engineering team back then is more passionate than the current

[@Tam0de]

Stunning & breathtaking. If you were a part of its development, from inception to the production of the 2 prototypes, no matter how small the role was, be proud of what you accomplished. That plane is 30 yrs old. And yet it wouldn't look out of place alongside modern fighters today.

[@griseld]

YF23 didn't lose, it was ahead of it's time

[@quantomic1106]

There is no such thing as "ahead of its time" it either works or it doesn't. It's a political way of saying it did not work. You don't need to be an aeronautical engineer to see that the F-22 is superior so which one is "ahead of its time"?

[@bbgcars]

@@quantomic1106 DISCO WAS AHEAD OF ITS TIME And it worked! so what u trying to say??

[@velocitymg]

@@quantomic1106Yf23 was faster, stealthier, more manouvrable, had a longer range, could supercruise and was overall a better aircraft…all tests proved that. The only reason it lost out was that it had a smaller missile payload, it’s maintenance could be troublesome due to ceramic tiles and coating used in its exhaust outlets wearing faster than expected. Finally Lockheed Grumman was out of favour politically and Boeing was the favourite from the moment the program was announced. This is all documented history and easily found. Edit I made an error it was Northrop and McDonnell Douglas that produced the YF23 and for some reason they were on the out with officials and struggled to get traction with their design

[@cowmoo5596]

@@velocitymg Northrup Grumman not Lockheed, Lockheed is the creator of the F-22

[@JC130676]

All airplanes have four major dimensions: length, width, height, and politics. Northrop Grumman only got the first three right.

[@walterhartwellwhite4890]

Definitely the best looking fighter ever.

[@TheKopfjager]

imagine if they just spilt the contract for yf23 and f22's to be in service. Two deadly threats to worry about overhead.

[@andrewwhite310]

That's double the overhead, which would technically be a waste of money considering how relatively similar the two are

[@topbadgun]

It's not like you buy your commercial car and let in sit in your garage for decade. Jet fighter or airplan need a line of labor for maintenance. That's why they decommissioned BlackBird SR-23. It's a shame they can't split bills this time.

[@topbadgun]

B2 program with way over budget stall NorthDrop, and ruined YF23.

[@LSmoney215]

Really don't matter cus us didn't have a enemy to use it on. That's why the 22 haven't been used yet

[@jaredharris1970]

@@topbadgunI agree about the black bird but technology has advanced beyond its capabilities I do think it would be still capable with a few modern enhancements but the maintenance would be expensive because of the special fuel and development of a radar absorbent material and a skin that can handle the heat from the friction of the air I mean the B52 is old as heck and they managed to keep it flying do to upgrades

[@patrickmcdaniel2048]

I got to see this specific plane up close last week. Such a magnificent aircraft. I felt bad for the engineers who built this magnificent machine. It was simply extraordinary.

[@bones10145]

Beautiful airplane! Wish it were still flying.

[@just_cade]

Stunning design.

[@michaeldelaney7271]

Regarding Northrop's performance on the B-2 contract as it reflects on the F-23 selection. The USAF "officially" told Northrop to plan on building 132 B-2's. "Unofficially" they told Northrop to plan on building more than 200, so the Air Force could replace most of the B-52G&H's and the B-1B's (395 total). Or, at least the B-52H's and the B-1B's (202). So the resources were put in place to build at least the 132 as a minimum, with plans for many more. Years later we outspent the USSR until they went broke. Then, The Congress, the USAF and/or the DOD started "The Cuts" and before you know it, we were only building 20 B-2's. Please note: Northrop produced 3,792 T-38's and F-5's to a very high standard, on time and on budget. With the F-23 and B-2, people need to recognize that advancing the state of the art can get expensive. Or, as John Arbuckle used to say "you get what you pay for."

[@bertg.6056]

And now, we have the B-52J.

[@michaeldelaney7271]

@@bertg.6056 B-52, an aircraft designed in the 1940's, with a first flight in 1952, is going to be the Air Force's bomber for another 20 or 30 or 40 years. What a freakin' joke! Yes, It was an outstanding design ... an outstanding 1940's design. What other aircraft is being re-engined (30 or 40 years too late) and will be staying in active service for 100 years? Madness!

[@bertg.6056]

@@michaeldelaney7271 Exactly my point, thanks !

[@JohnEnnen]

You're exactly right, the YF23 was the best aircraft in the fly off!......I worked B2 and we were told on the inside, Lockheed got the contract because Northrop had the B2, and DOD did not want to put all their money in STEALTH technology into one company.

[@michaeldelaney7271]

Asking pilots to fly what will be a 75-100 year-old airplane is just plain nuts! @@bertg.6056

[@yhird]

This is the most beautiful aircraft the U.S. has ever built. The North American XB-70 Valkyrie bomber is very close second place.

[@leeandrewclarke]

If any plane can truly be called 'beautiful,' it's this one.

[@RaymondKulig-cy4np]

I love the F-22. However, this was the one that i loved the most.

[@jem5159]

Still the best and the most beautiful to me. Sure it would have been more adaptive to further development or modernization.

[@JayB2]

The crazy thing is i bet even if they took the YF23 Airframe right now & did some tweaks to the weapon systems & upgraded the engine package it could still be the best fighter jet in the world.

[@ironsoldi3r913]

One of the best stealth aircraft.

[@F15ElectricEagle]

A good joke I heard about why the YF-23 lost to YF-22 in the ATF program was Northrop & McDonnel Douglas lost because they brought a 6th generation fighter to a competition for a 5th generation fighter.

[@jcdova29]

Beautiful craft. I can’t get over how every curve just flows and looks perfect! The f22 won because it performed some dogfight maneuvers that are pointless because that was the point of these generation jets. There would be no dogfights. You are suppose to down the enemy before it knew you were up there. Dogfights are a thing of the past. Just like bayonet fighting.

[@AgasChannel]

absolutely agree

[@Maxthepro1012]

I wish they accepted bolth of them F 22 for a more wide range of missions. F 23 for intercepting any aircraft and shoot them down before anyone knew it was there.

[@sonnyandreotte5721]

Northrop was over billing On the b2 an somebody Up the food chain wasn't Getting their beak wet. So as usual Lockheed Gets the contract. Don't think for one Minute a few yf-23 Aren't flying without The publics knowledge.

[@mk6315]

Allegedly the YF23 could match the F22 in most maneuvers even without TV

[@gilesellis8002]

People are so Gullible, I saw it with my own iiis

[@Andino.]

I bet sixt gen fighters will take a lot from this unit

[@bigchungus1848]

This probably is the 6th gen fighter, they just aren’t telling us.

[@leehill9922]

They are.

[@Andino.]

@BIg Chungus it isn't, this was competing for the contract the F22 won.

[@Nelis1992]

You think so? This designs comes from the early 90's. Thats over 30 years old now

[@Peichen01]

This is the base for China’s F-22 killer J-20 and Japan’s 6th gen fighter. USAF was too focused on Vietnam War tactics to realize speed, range, stealth, BVR are more important as technology advances and picked the wrong fighter

[@YesWeShould]

Look how advance US in technology

[@dariodianti8884]

The most beautifull airplane in history👍

[@jefftube58]

31 years ago they could design anf built a plane like the YF-23, and today we put up with the F-35 ?

[@michaeldelaney7271]

Oh, but the F-35 was going to be "cheap." In fact, it was wildly overweight, over cost, late for delivery and has almost got the software it was supposed to have long ago.

[@Ziggy_Moonglow]

Lockheed has a long and storied history of bribing congress, generals and foreign leaders to 'win' contracts.

[@spilledmilkgamingYT]

Is the f-35 a bad plane no it can beat an f-16 in AoA and in turn fights it can psm not as good as f-22 but pretty damn good it is a better dog fighter than the yf-23 but it has worse stealth than it even tho it is still way Stealthier than anything other than an f-22 or the yf-23

[@Boris-dd9bh]

​@spilledmilkgamingYT The YF 23 and the F22 are BETTER aircraft than the F35. HUSSEIN Obama killed the F22 project in favor of the F35 SUPPOSEDLY because it was cheaper to build and maintain. All HUSSEIN ended up doing is killing the BEST fighter in the WORLD in favor of a LESSER aircraft. HUSSEIN HATES America and he didn't want us to have the BEST in the WORLD

[@KC_Smooth]

Can’t wait to see what the NGAD looks like.

[@gino3286]

the very advantage comes from stealthiness You can't dogfight with a plane that you don't see To be able to hit at night and come back without being seen its just Amazing

[@that6.7guy30]

I believe Japan had built experimental yf-23's to test for their 6th generation fighter program. would be pretty cool to see this design actually be used, even if it's highly modified design from its original.

[@HatsuneM1ku01]

Makes sense especially with Japan’s ace combat game and macross anime series.

[@manuairborne]

No they didn't.

[@fred3965]

They're not they're working with the brits now on their 6th gen program

[@DefaultProphet]

Didn’t happen. They reportedly reached out to possibly get access to yf-23 design docs but it didn’t go anywhere

[@HTHAMMACK1]

The F-22 was supposedly more agile while the YF-23 was supposedly faster with a slightly better RCS.

[@pdrkunch]

But manuverless and high cost

[@northern_21]

@@pdrkunch Maneuver less? It was only slightly less maneuverable than the YF-22 at the time, and can you actually provide a source for the cost of developing the YF-23?

[@fishbed_]

@@northern_21 The decision ultimately came down to politics. Northrop had gone overbudget with their B-2 program, so they chose the F22 to save money, I suppose.| Oh, and advertising. While the F-22 was demonstrating all these thrust vectoring capabilities, actual fire tests, Northrop was very lazy with marketing.

[@killingyouwithlogic5808]

@@northern_21 It wasn't really even less maneuverable really, they just did a bad job in the demonstration. and WAS CHEAPER then the f-22

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

@@killingyouwithlogic5808 which is too expensive

[@user-oo4io2qy4g]

90년대에 이런 디자인의 실기체가 등장한다는게...어메이징하다.

[@jhgfzuh2542]

This was 6th generation fighter. But we didn't know at that time...

[@aptwo916]

Man I wish this jet would exist side by side with the F22 with slightly different role.

[@Villainislife]

Futuristic aircraft

[@exAirMover]

Fingers crossed, a modernised and even more potent F23 will succeed the F22 Raptor

[@allgood6760]

Beautiful!👍✈️

[@jamieharmer5654]

Its amazing to think that the Raptor was possibly not the best aircraft.....

[@manofchaitea6904]

Lockeed Martin has been in the brass wallets for a long time now, this is a result of it.

[@Teknopuls3]

Back in the 90s, I did a report on the testing between the 22 and 23 based off articles that were released n other public records. My fav remains the 23 for many reasons, but mostlyl because it looks intimidating AF.

[@michelbrown1060]

The YF-23 suffered the same fate as our CF-105 Arrow in the end of the 1950's the very best there was and was abandonned. . 😌

[@Nurhaal]

You mean that Northrop was infected with Soviet spies just like the CF-105 program? That's not good.

[@piotrd.4850]

Nothing comes close in terms of certain rugged, original beauty and boldness of concept alone.

[@drill_fiend1097]

They should modify the design to carry bigger radars and enter the competition again when F-22 needs replacement. This was one of the most beautiful fighter.

[@Accuaro]

There's a design already in place for the replacement of the F-22, and it's going to be a 6th gen aircraft under the name NGAD. It has a rough shape that people are aware of (thanks to a silhouette), but who knows what it actually will look like.

[@rugbynimbus]

Sadly, the loss of this potential contract was the last nail in the McDonnell-Douglas coffin.

[@georgefitzhugh6455]

Beautiful airframe

[@nakakapagpabagabag8341]

futuristic aircraft

[@jeffwilliams6374]

What are the buckets of water for? This is now a Navy plane.

[@andrewlight6786]

It's what they do when you solo a plane for the first time.

[@loadingnewads]

But no one using it now… it’s sleeping in the museum.

[@RedLP5000S]

Much more attractive than the Raptor.

[@razony]

We would be saying the EXACT same thing of the F-22 if the F-23 had won. 'Why is it so expensive...' we are such babies.

[@bertg.6056]

The YF-23 was half a generation ahead of the YF-22. The AIM-260 and AIM-9X almost preclude the need to dogfight anyway.

[@jesperohlrich7090]

I have a feeling we will be seeing it again, but as a 6 gen fighter

[@PatriotPlus179]

or flying over the skies of Japan.

[@Boris-dd9bh]

​@@PatriotPlus179or CHINA more than likely

[@JamaicanMeCrazy]

That thing was just so cool

[@aldito7586]

My favorite airplane.

[@may_laytrucker3127]

Another deadly stealth aircraft

[@nynthworld4152]

I own 2 of these. Wait a minute, that was a dream. Dang it!👍

[@Zulu4impi]

This plane lost because of PR campaign and very well executed political strategy. All the right states had the right number of contract so the senators and congressmen would pressure the approval of the YF22. Given the Gray Ghost and Black Widow's performance (range & speed) RCS signature and weapons bay capacity (even considering the initial issues loading it) we would be phenomenally further ahead to a 6th Gen with these with small Tweeks. Looking at the design Mach 5+ could be achieved. Have you noticed the fuselage similarity to the SR71?

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

Well said and spot on. The real flight data and performance of the YF-23 was priceless for the 6th gen development. The NGAD prototypes look like versions of the YF without vertical angled stabilizers.

[@logyz450]

I think he meant Mach 2.5. Because Mach 5 is not even in the realm of possibilities.

[@Zulu4impi]

@@logyz450 Actually I did mean 5+ could be achieved, however it would take substantial development. The comment is based on the observation of the similarities between the YF23 and the SR71. Form follows function. That being said to illustrate the point I'll use a Fast & Furious reference, the YF23 would be like a base Skyline GTR 34 and you want to turn it into a 5 second car. The lapsed time from initial development of the 23, + 20 years of evolution (engine combined cycle, construction materials and avionics) we might have been near the Mach 5 point or better.

[@logyz450]

@@Zulu4impi 3,836.35 mph. That is Mach 5. For reference the SR71 Blackbird's top speed is 2,200 mph or Mach 3+. You believe the P&W F119 engine can push the YF-23 1,800 mph FASTER than the top speed of the fastest known plane in the world? Naaa dude. Just stop...

[@Zulu4impi]

@@logyz450 No that PW engine couldn't ever; however I am intrigued by this dialogue and can see your point. Yes, that $peed racer M5 number seems unattainable given current 'known" engines and the SR71's published performance; the point I'm making is... Start with same house which developed the 71; followed up with the production of Gray Ghost 23, we could be there. Knowing that the XB43 has demonstrated the capability of Scram technology, merge these aspects into a 6th gen where would we be? Yes that is a tall order, but the 71 was built on paper and slide ruler. What is probable might just be possible.

[@DevaOscura]

the YF-23 is still the stealthiest Fighter Jet ever made. in terms of stealth: YF-23 > Y/F-22 > F-35 >>>>>> SU-57>>J-20

[@mustafaozturk3343]

J20>Su 57 SU 57 is very bad in terms of stealth design.

[@ahmadalastal5303]

F35 should be comparable to J35 that still in development but with better RCS than J20, Chinese reached tech level very close to the US even better in some aspects, J20 has 0.05 RCS and can be detected by AESA radars 22 nm +- 5nm while F35 with 0.005 RCS can be detected 15 nm +- 5nm the difference is only 7-10 nm, this is not a very huge distance in fact a fighter with speed of 900 km/h can overcome this distance in 15-25 seconds which means that the F35 pilot has 15 seconds to make a decision otherwise he will merge with J20, now J35 has RCS of 0.01 >

[@Boris-dd9bh]

​@@ahmadalastal530315 seconds is a LONG TIME in a dog fight

[@emgiusti88]

The greatest jet to never be made

[@UnicornMeat512]

I think most of us were hoping the 23 would get picked.

[@michaeldelaney7271]

It was picked by the selection team. It just wasn't picked by the politicians.

[@user-nk5ge6ey7y]

ESPETÁCULO GRANDE AVIÃO GRANDE VISAGE P.S

[@Madhuntr]

looks futuristic even for todays standards

[@williamtetrault1300]

Always felt that the Air Force made a mistake, a serious one, with this decision!

[@saville1712]

It looks like the Sr-71 and F-15 had a baby.

[@tangoshowcast]

We could invite Northrop/McDonnell Douglas to come to Argentina, now that Milei is in charge, so we can use some of that knoledge to build our own 5th Gen Fighter too and maybe start our 6th Gen fighter project aswell

[@seanchang1202]

“But would that have been worth the price differential?” Maybe not so back then, but definitely would be right now.

[@michaeldelaney7271]

Compare Lockheed's predicted price versus what they actually ended up charging the USAF. I'd suspect the F23 would have actually been cheaper to produce since it didn't carry the silly thrust-vectoring system. The F-23 was faster, stealthier and had longer range and more efficient super-cruise. The F-22 could dogfight with a Fokker Triplane and had better political "connections." The plane that shot down the most Japanese fighters in WWII, was NOT successful because it was more agile than a Zero. The F6F was faster, tougher, more powerful and carried a better armament suite. Most important the Navy Aviators used tactics that optimized their aircraft's strengths. It is foolish for a stealth fighter to get within visual range of an enemy. That just negates its lower RCS advantage.

[@springfieldbearpatrol2937]

Always felt that the engine exhaust was an interesting design- made to counter IR homing missiles. Tiles lined up to absorb/dissipate heat. So, no way to add thrust vectoring but a nice defensive touch.

[@jerrypadilla4384]

Its large tail planes, did the job of "Vectoring" for it, without sacrificing IR, like the 22 does.

[@ChrisZybeZ]

This should be the design for a mini spaceship

[@fredintexas8561]

BEST PLANE BUILT, corruption in the USAF. Who pockets got lined and why. This was the plane we needed.

[@andyhughes1776]

In general, the sleeker the jet fighter, the more likely it will win in battle (everything else being equal - pilot training and experience, advanced avionics, stealth, etc.). They need to produce this plane!

[@RobertPRobinsonJr]

What they're working on and trying to actually get it to work is running a plasma field completely through the outer structure and what that does is it literally makes the craft invisible to any radar infrared an electronic warfare because what it does is it actually absorbed all electrical static it absorbs it into it and you have to actually discharge it or use that power somewhere

[@hukedonfonix1671]

I saw something about the test pilots who tested this beauty, and argued heavily that it was their preference over the F-22

[@jaym4290]

Doesn’t the f22 raptor share some parts with the f35 ? Just a question ? Because than i could understand their choices

[@terryd2061]

What a beaut 😍

[@TheOtteroo]

I find it interesting the yf23 was fashioned after the sr71 and the speed of it is still classified to this day.

[@ezras4216]

This Magnificent Aircraft came ahead of its time..!! The 6th gen Fighters will look more like it..!

[@saquist]

The YF 23 could only carry 6 missiles. YF 22 carries 8. That could have something to fo with the loss aswell

[@user-vg5cg3qq1r]

It was the Dreamliner but all controls went into defense of the Y2F intelligence then defense is no more than a bird leaving a nest the first-time. The B1 Raider is flying the mission it was designed for. I had hope the YF 23 could take off and land by itself if necessary with a pilot or without a pilot? Northrop Gruman is power. I had guessed the dimension of the security stick my dad instantly knew of, ten more just like that one, angstrom!

[@marquette6944]

Just remember the yf23 is still in our back pockets!!!

[@chillxxx241]

All of the technologists that I know that were involved with this program preferred the YF-23, but they said the pilots preferred the YF-22.

[@keyboard_g]

Northrop also had the B2 Spirit contract at the same time which was late and over budget. Lockheed had nothing else around that time. Giving the F22 the contract made sense.

[@swynty5767]

Cant wait to fly this some day in war thunder

[@YorktownUSA]

The only reason the F-22 won is because the D.o.D. at the time was considering a Navalized Raptor. Obviously that was a mistake, but, hey, hindsight. Hopefully the NGAD and Navy's FA-XX are kept separate, as they probably shouldn't be. Who knows, perhaps the 7th generation can be standardized across services, but definitely not the 6th.

[@trevorfloth6672]

My favy

[@RobertPRobinsonJr]

The radar signature that the F-22 leaves is about the size of a marble the radar cross-section that the f-23 leaves is the size of a BB

[@radomirmilivojcevic7332]

Najbolji avion na svetu

[@fallinginthed33p]

From the front and in side profile, it looks like the fictional Firefox interceptor from the movie of the same name.

[@PabloIbanez-cd2mm]

ひとつめの言葉は夢 眠りの中から 胸の奥の 暗闇を そっと 連れ出すの

[@american4890]

Can they develop the 23 with some of 22 parts like landing gear and missile launching platform to better the 23 in costs

[@joshtheking1772]

The timing of the competion for an ATF program is what doomed the YF23. If this competion was held just 5 years later, the YF23 would have won. The Air Force really needed to get pilots out of the F15 and put into a new airframe to maintain air dominance. On hindsight, the YF22 was the better choice. The NGAD is what will change the whole theatre of warfare though, well at least until we need an Orbital Global Dominance Aircraft.

[@trob1173]

F-22 looks "advanced". YF-23 still looks straight out of a sci-fi movie.

[@ThexBorg]

Way ahead of its time. Didn't it go back into production?

[@ThexBorg]

Japan wants to revive it as their fighter jet.

[@carlosalbertogarciamartine4150]

Pretty nice bird they did.

[@logyz450]

I've always wondered... Why not take both??? Obviously both the 22 and 23 are phenomenal aircraft. So why waste money on not producing both?

[@Ramirez83786]

I can assure you it was never a waste of money. 6th gen will pick things up from yf-23 (but improved)

[@shawlork]

F-23 should make it's comeback as the next 6th gen fighter

[@existencewarrior2920]

This is the plane that should have won the contract. I believe the F-22 won is probably Lockeed has someone in Washington that has a good lobbyist for the Lockeed.

[@JTV84]

did they even consider the difference in IR signature from below? i know the F22 has good overall stealth characteristics but this thing would be invisible to IR guided SAMs.

[@billy2nasty]

i'd feel a lot safer had we a fleet of YF-23's

[@paulallen-01]

The YF should have been chosen. The F22 won due to dog fight maneuverability. However the whole point of a stealth fighter is to avoid a dogfight altogether because these stealth fighters totally negate the need to dogfight.