Northrop YF-23: The Grey Ghost

[@dl6519]

In addition to the lower IR signature, and according to a conversation with an engineer who saw the data, the YF-23 beat the YF-22 by 10 DECIBELS on radar signature, which translates to a roughly 44% reduction in detection range (detection range varies with the fourth root of the radar cross section). Wind tunnel testing showed the YF-23 to already be stable to 60 degrees angle of attack, and thrust vectoring could have been added, according to Northrop engineers. The ground crew for PAV-2 (the one with the GE engine) realized that "the fix was in" early on, as the GE-engined aircraft on both teams were having maintenance issues, but the Air Force ordered General Electric to concentrate on getting the GE-engined YF-22 serviced first. So the "fly-off" was bullshit. Not that the Air Force ended up with a bad aircraft. The forthcoming 6th generation fighter may well look more like the YF-23 than the YF-22, as the former had the sort of characteristics the Air Force now prioritizes.

[@codysides7683]

When I was stationed at Whiteman AFB, one of the piolets during debrief said he was friends with a test piolet on the program. According to him the YF-23 was substantially easier to fly and the maneuverability difference was not even noticeable. In fact according to him, the YF-23 was better in every way compared to the YF-22 and the only reason they gave the contract to Lockheed was because Northrop had several active contracts and Lockheed was going under. They picked the lesser aircraft simply to keep competition for contracts.

[@JonMartinYXD]

Sounds exactly like the JSF. The fly-off between the X-32 and X-35. The X-35 was really the YF-35, DARPA and Lockheed had been working on it for years (at the request of the USMC who wanted a stealthy Harrier replacement) before the JSF program became a thing. There is a reason no other company wanted to enter the JSF "competition" despite its promise of being the most lucrative military contract ever: they knew the winner had already been chosen. Boeing was persuaded/threatened into making a token entry to provide the illusion of competition. Incidentally, the GE engine, the YF-120, was also superior to the P&W F-119 chosen for the F-22.

[@flankerchan]

Which frequency ? as RCS is also a function of frequency. The aircraft RCS in X can be different to S or L-band.

[@dl6519]

@@flankerchan I don't know which band. The context was an informal conversation between me and an engineer who had seen the data from both RCS models. At the time I would not have known enough to ask him which frequency band. And I still don't!

[@karlstathakis7786]

@@codysides7683 to be fair, it IS in the USAF’s interest to maintain a strong supplier base. I don’t like that they choose the inferior design, but I can understand the reasoning.

[@chrisgoblin4857]

YF-23 is still the most beautiful plane never to see service. Really looks like a plane that was 30 years too early.

[@angelestapuro4547]

I’m more partial to the f22 myself, not to say I don’t like the f23

[@kevinfromsales6842]

I completely agree. That thing is gorgeous. The looks alone would make other countries jealous.

[@bitrage.]

I agree, it is a sin that plane wasn't produced... Even now it looks like it's from the future... The f22 is a great looking plane too, expesully compared to Fat Amy (F-35)🤣, but it's kind of bland and the design not very original... like if someone asked me what a "futuristic" f-15 looks like I'd say f-22...

[@henrikandreason7261]

@@bitrage. Agreed. The F-35 looks like if the F-16 and the F-22 had an ugly love child together..

[@kiryu2281]

The XB-70 Valkyrie: I just entered the chat

[@ShawnHinck]

With regard to the engines, they didn’t choose to mix up the engines, the AF wanted two examples, one with each set of engines, which is why the F-22 used both sets of engines in the trials as well

[@christianoakley1686]

Opps,..sorry mate. I did not read your post before I piped up. My apologies.

[@DanielNoblett1111]

Another reason the F-22 was chosen over the F-23 had to do with reputation, Northrop developed the B-2 stealth bomber, and that program ran way over budget, and Lockheed had a reputation of sticking fairly close to their stated budget estimates.

[@pahtar7189]

A reputation that is in tatters due to enormous overruns for the F-22 and F-35.

[@DrsharpRothstein]

It seems with the B-21 that Northrop learned it's lessons about building on time and budget. Something I believe would have transferred to 23 if it went into production.

[@anydaynow01]

@@pahtar7189 Yep F-35 program = biggest military boondoggle in history!

[@AsbestosMuffins]

ya that one didn't last

[@DarthAwar]

Not anymore though hey!!!!

[@effervescence5664]

It's strange to listen to this after hearing some of the test pilots say they prefered the YF-23 because it was more agile and faster. On the bright side it's being used as a base for the new UK Tempest fighter and Japans next gen fighter.

[@kathrynck]

Tempest is more of a twin-engine F-35. Japan's design though, yeah, they're borrowing from the YF-23 pretty heavily.

[@DefinitelyNotEmma]

Allegedly.

[@nwtruckerll]

Better back that claim up with a link. Metz is the ONLY pilot whose flown the YF-23 and the later developed F-22 and commented in any fashion regarding the two. There's no way in hell the 23 was more agile than the 22. The Tempest looks much closer to the Raptor, by far.

[@DrsharpRothstein]

@@nwtruckerll Interesting you use the word "agile" because Lockheed never defined that term. When discussing aircraft performance and maneuverability one discusses rates of yaw, roll, pitch in terms of instantaneous, and sustained rates in degrees per second. Another metric of aircraft performance is specific excess energy. Which covers the entire flight envelope. I assert that that YF-23 has a clear advantage in specific energy in areas of the flight envelope that combat will take place. Something else the YF-23 is supposed to have better roll rates over the YF-22. From what I have gathered "agility" as used by Lockheed was the ability to "point" the nose of the aircraft without changing the flight vector - ( for lack of a better term 'skid' the aircraft through the air). While that would be useful in a gunfight, agility has been replaced with helmet off-boresight missiles like AiM-9X negating the YF-22 'skidding' advantage. It seems to me that Lockheed got away with a lot of 'hand waving' about it's perceived 'agility' advantage.

[@nwtruckerll]

@@DrsharpRothstein Here's my problem with your assertions- I use Metz's quote on this, 'Neither platform was taken to their top speeds'- logic says this is due to both achieving the requirements of the USAF fully. Yes, variations between the two, but, neither 'pushed' past those requirements! Why risk it?? Something could show up beyond the requirement level that could hurt or even disqualify either one. The only, and I mean only, written documentation from the competition era was a projected top super-cruise speed for the YF-23. That speed has been well broken by the now M1.8 now the official USAF top super-cruise speed. Even the 1.8 number has been questioned based on the initial F-22 sortie into Syria where estimates on F-16.net is M2 above 60,000 feet! As far as the TV assertion goes, Metz also stated the TV was very effective at extreme altitude in that at optimum flight control settings the TV could be used to offset lift loss. I've seen quotes , again on F-16.net. where ACM was performed in Alaska at 65K!! Not level flight, ACM. That puts pressure suited level flight at 70K plus! None of this was known in the competition phase as the envelope wasn't explored until flight testing- over 20,000(?)- were run. Now....top speed. Again, who knows? Perhaps the 23 could be faster, once flight testing to the edge of the envelope might have occured if the 23 had been selected. I suggest so what? Assuming a similar level of technology, as far as RAM coating goes, between the two, the top speed of either destroys that coating and perhaps damages the radcone and the canopy. Greta Van Susreren, I believe in 2004, flew in a two seat F-16 against an F-22 and was told the Raptor would do OVER 2,000 MPH. Very hard to find that video. It isn't on KZbin. So, with TV, the 22 has a higher altitude capability, a faster super-cruise potential, a CTR of 27 degrees per second at 20K- HMCS weren't a factor in the early 2000s and the F-22 is slated to receive HMCS somewhere down the line- I suggest that we've done quite well with the Raptor. Yes, the 23 'could' have ended up superior to the 22. But maybe not. Who know what bugs that more radical design may have come to light? I don't and I suggest you don't either. No one knows and that is a fact. I'm just a fan and am proud that the US could produce two machines that left the rest in the dust. JMO, though.

[@PhilipMReeder]

I was working as an auto parts delivery driver in Torrance CA a few years ago and after dropping off some parts at a car dealership next to Zampriani Airport noticed several aircraft on the other side of a chain link fence. I initially noticed a F-14, but as I looked at the others one stood out. None other than the Northrop YF-23. My jaw literally dropped. This was actual aircraft ROYALTY. I was stunned. Yet there was one of the most advanced aircraft in history next to a fence bordering essentially an alley. I pointed out the plane to a couple of mechanics in the dealership parking lot. One said, "Oh, yeah. Cool". Then went back to his discussion. Illiterate simpleton.

[@johnabel5943]

That's awesome! Too bad 99% of people don't appreciate the coolness of seeing something so rare and beautiful. I know the feeling bro.

[@S0RELOSER]

Im sure China has been there to take photos.

[@jaybee9269]

That’s the Western Museum of Flight, if it’s still called that! Yeah, it’s astonishing that an advanced prototype is just sitting there!

[@DonMeaker]

Northrop.

[@PhilipMReeder]

@@DonMeaker Good catch! And fixed 😂

[@darvinclement3250]

I got to go to a space shuttle landing out at Edwards Airforce Base and the YF-22 and YF-23 were being tested there at the time. They were sitting by each other as we drove out to the dry lake bed. The YF-23 was the better looking plane in my opinion, but for a plane junkie such as myself, that was probably the coolest thing I have ever seen in person. They looked like they were going Mach 2.5 just sitting there.

[@matchesburn]

Fun Fact: Donald Rumsfeld came out years later and said that the driving reason for adopting the YF-22 instead of the YF-23 was because the United States Navy expressed interest in a navalized version of the ATF for their carriers. And they favored the YF-22 because it was easier to get it navalized and using a CATOBAR and having stronger landing gear (the YF-23 used F-15 variant landing gear as a measure to easy logistics and cost, and would've required an extensive redesign for carrier landing gear). And once the YF-22 was declared the winner... the United States Navy kindly said, "Nah, we're not interested." and -someone in the Navy definition got a new vacation home courtesy of Lockheed Martin- the Navy went on to waste even more money on the A-12 Avenger program where they spent literally billions of dollars... only to not even make a prototype, but just a mock-up of what it might look like. The only good thing about the ATF is that both designs were so good that it didn't really matter who won - because America would win in the long run. But I still think the YF-23 would have been the better choice. And if it wasn't for the Navy... we might actually have it. The fact that stealth and heat emissions (so lower danger from infrared missiles) were taken into account means it could more viable in a more advanced world like it is today (I'm guessing most people didn't think radar systems would become as advanced as they are back in the early 1980s). The only test pilot that flew both the YF-23 and YF-22, Paul Metz, also suggested that the YF-23 was possibly even better than the YF-22 as far as capability does. And suggests that it was Lockheed Martin's marketing department -along with greasing some palms- that helped the YF-22 win. And, historically, that's quite true. Northrop-Grumman has, I think, THE best aerospace engineers on the planet. They do miraculous work. But they are engineers. They aren't salesmen. And their approach reflects this. Whereas with Lockheed... let's just say that they have a history of working backroom deals and doing some Mad Men work on their presentation and products to make up for their shortcomings in other areas. And shiny, fancy, flashy and impressive looking things tend to get more attention and sales than things that might be more dull but also better quality.

[@AMacLeod426]

Kelly Johnson's unwritten 15th rule: "Starve before doing business with the damned Navy. They don't know what the hell they want and will drive you up a wall before they break either your heart or a more exposed part of your anatomy."

[@benpurcell4935]

I love Northrop Grumman and Lockheed-Martin for similar reasons because they have made some of the most iconic aircraft that America has fielded. I do think it’s unfair to say that Lockheed got the deal because of backroom deals; however the main reason I think this is because of Skunkworks and how many ingenious answers to some incredibly difficult problems. Look at the SR-71 Blackbird as an example or any numerous aircraft from that division.

[@matchesburn]

@@benpurcell4935 "I do think it’s unfair to say that Lockheed got the deal because of backroom deals" I don't. And look at what Lockheed was willing to do in order to sell F-104s to Germany. And that's not an isolated case, either. Lockheed has had multiple, well-known and public ethically bankrupt and corrupt incidents over the years. Just in the span of 2 years alone from 2012 to 2014 Lockheed was hit with multiple fraud and corruption charges put forth by the United States government that led to them paying out millions in fines and restitution. If you want to see Lockheed's closet which is a crypt of skeletons, look up "Lockheed bribery scandals." There's case after case after case of Lockheed OUTRIGHT BRIBING heads of state and politicians to get them contracts. It was so horrendous that Kelly Johnson even threatened to resign in disgust over it. This was also before 1995 where Lockheed itself ceased to exist and merged and became Lockheed-Martin. The engineering sector of Lockheed Martin is exemplary. The marketing, board and executives are about as dirty as you can get. I would, honestly, be legitimately shocked if no one from Lockheed used underhanded means in order to win the contract. Post-1995? They've toned down their nonsense and aren't as brazen and illegal about what they do, but again, as 2012-2014 shows they're still willing to commit felonies and defraud the American government if they think they can get away with it. Since 1995, they've had to pay out over half a billion dollars in fines and restitution in over 80 incidents. That's... extreme.

[@benpurcell4935]

@UCpXlFb569l1Ckj8j7huwbOg You could pretty much say the executives and marketing team of any defense contractors that sell weapons to the US and that includes Northrop Grumman. Also the US government forcibly sold the F-104 to Germany and had little to do with the company itself. USAF knee it was a flying coffin and yet said to West Germany here buy these jets they are great, which technically speaking if you put the elevator in a standard position it would not have had the problems that it did.

[@benpurcell4935]

@@matchesburn Martin-Marietta was in of itself a merger already. The merger with Lockheed only expanded the aerospace items that both companies produced. The scandals were 20-40 years prior to the merger. Martin produced one of the first American AGMs to be fielded by the US military. Also companies that work on black projects don’t release in terms of data.

[@michaelpipkin9942]

I've been asking for this FOR MONTHS. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lakedude5961]

Yes!!! I’ve been waiting for this !!!!

[@newman977]

This video has been a long time coming. Thanks Simon, and his team! I have always been of the mind that the YF-23 was the superior aircraft.

[@nvhds3j8vs]

Always felt the same. It was a shame to see her just sitting on the ramp at Edwards being neglected.

[@oldmech619]

There is a YF-23 at Torrance airport.

[@budyeddi5814]

Same

[@Mobius118]

Cope harder

[@advayakandpal8550]

@@Mobius118 says the guy with an f-22 pfp

[@RANDassociatesinc]

I am spoiled living here in Southern, CA. I went over to visit the YF-23 on display at the western air museum over the weekend. It truly is a magical and masterful piece of engineering. Thanks for the story!!

[@cleverusername9369]

I've been seeing the same person begging for this video for weeks, it's really genuinely lovely to know that SimonCo reads the comments and listens to the fans.

[@sandybarnes887]

Yeah. Michael Pipkin. He is really happy according to his comments 😄

[@vustvaleo8068]

I think the Japanese offshoot will have the ability to transform into a robot.

[@kayatoast0927]

Macross Anime irl

[@toddlerj102]

I thought it looked a bit drone like.

[@drakonos79]

@@toddlerj102 or rather drones look more like this.

[@vukasinjovanovic1679]

YF-21

[@rob8379]

Auotobot or Decepticon?

[@MRCruise24]

To be fair, experts say that even though the YF-23 did bot have Thrust vectoring which was the thing that made the F-22 stand out, the large surface off stabilicers would have made it as manouverable as the F-22 just without the tech. I can highly recommend a video from Ward Caroll regarding the ATF program, he has an interview with the program leader, a bit long but worth it!!!

[@robertfw1951]

My son's father-in-law (FIL) was on the design team of the YF-23. In fact he was one of the Northup Brass that sat on the stand when the YF-23 was introduced to the public. He told me that the Air Force Chief Engineer who ran the technical program recommended the YF-23 to the Air Force as being the better platform. However, the Air Force came back and instructed him to recommend another plane. For those who know anything about what was going on, you will know that Northrup was in the doghouse and was not everyone's favorite contractor. Plus, Northrup had been the B-2 contractor and there was the notion of spreading the wealth around. Paul Metz, one of the Northrup test pilots, went on to fly the F-22. However, my son's FIL said that Metz was reported to have said that the YF-23 was a better flying jet. Many years later my son's FIL told me he was talking to someone at Wright Patterson who said that in the next competition, Northrup ought to present the YF-23 again, and it would still be ahead of its time. The decision to pick the F-23 was politically motivated. The YF-23 was ahead of its time.

[@scheimong]

One of the coolest military planes to never see service IMO, right up there with the likes of XB-70 and Su-47.

[@quakethedoombringer]

The Su 47 was never going to enter service though. The forward swept wings bring too many drawbacks for very few benefits. It's practically a experimental testbed for the Su 57

[@DarthAwar]

@Megaprojects Thankyou so much for doing this video!!!!!

[@midiandirenni8315]

I've been asking for a while now, thank you very much Simon! I have been looking forward to this video

[@glenn_r_frank_author]

"Grey Ghost" was just the name of ONE of the two concept prototypes of the YF-23. The name given by Northrop to the aircraft was "Black Widow II" Both were not called "Grey Ghost", only the lighter colored one had that nickname. It seems in this video he switched back and forth between noting that one of the planes had that name and calling the type that name.

[@HavocStylesJoe]

2:27 lol this true on so many levels, the most evil thing on this planet is a marketing CRT team.

[@MrTweaksTV]

FACTS , sir.

[@HavocStylesJoe]

Wait? Something tells me this was ghosted by .... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXmUh2V9hMxmi5o

[@HavocStylesJoe]

@@MrTweaksTV Weather paperclips. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXmUh2V9hMxmi5o

[@HavocStylesJoe]

@@MrTweaksTV Драйв по русскому комментарию. Трамп спасет Украину. # Государства # Права. Байден - команда трансвеститов по плаванию.

[@perrylevac9949]

Another Great job. Keep it up. I really like the way you do your videos......

[@nitroxide17]

What a damn shame. There was a documentary on YF-23 and someone stated the YF-22 was not that much more maneuverable. It was perceived that way because Lockheed’s demo had more high angle of attack demonstrations. But the YF-23 could perform all the same AoA maneuvers.

[@jacobstewart3428]

My favorite plane of all time. Bar none. I heard someone say they made a 6th Gen plane for a 5th Gen competition

[@AeroGuy07]

The YF 23 is an imposing and intimidating machine, even if only on display at Wright-Patt AFB in Ohio.

[@jaybee9269]

There’s one at the Western Museum of Flight, too.

[@AeroGuy07]

@@jaybee9269 I know, I watched the video.

[@blurglide]

In 2002, I worked at Wright Patterson AFB. One day I saw this airplane sitting outside of the restoration hanger. I damn near drove off the road. It'd be crazy seeing a whole flight line of these things.

[@glenn_r_frank_author]

The selection of the F-22 over the 23 was tainted with politics as much or more than actual comparison of the worthiness of the designs. But... as it turned out the F-22 while still the top shelf fighter for the USAF... lost its purpose when the Soviet Union dissolved that would have happened to the 23 if it had been chosen too. The cut back manufacturing of the F-22 was a reflection of the loss of the real need for the "ATF" and the F-35 design was started to become the "workhorse" plane, intended to be slight a lesser fighter to the F-22... but as it has come along the 35 was upgraded a lot more from the original plan. Would be nice to see an F-35 video too!

[@SilentShark]

He did a F-35 vid previously kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3y1Xox3htZ5qas

[@glenn_r_frank_author]

@@SilentShark cool thanks for the link

[@carlosandleon]

F23 was inferior

[@slevingaius]

Welp and in hindsight a good thing the YF-23 didnt make it to production. As fate would have it either because of out sourcing or cyber espionage the F-22 was copied reversed engineered to the J-20... And in this age UAVs will soon be the choice for aerial domination. I agreed with both comments from both sides about the performance of the planes. YF-23 had better stealth and better super cruise (even the engineers who were distraught after the announcement mention the classified figures placed it well ahead), the YF-22 was more conventional as a spiritual sucessor to the F15 eagles and could most likely make it back with one wing. However the glaring points is that its choice was made because of politics and economics. As like most things even in the commercial world the saying goes "meet all requirements, cheapest price".

[@adithyansunil1153]

Lol even without political influence the f22 raptor still beats the YF 23...YF 23 was good but not better cuz f22 raptor was tested so many times not only for agility and performance and stealth..but for dogfight as well...YF 23 was not built for dogfight and was not agile

[@michaelpipkin9942]

Thank you for making my request come true. I seriously appreciate it. Obviously I was serious, I spent WEEKS requesting it..... haha!!!!!! I'm so happy.

[@sandybarnes887]

😆 I knew you'd be very happy. I saw you day after day for weeks asking for the yf 22 and yf 23. Nice

[@deoon247]

I was asking for this plane about two months ago. Literally posting it after every video he posted but eventually gave up as I wasn’t receiving too many upvotes for it. Thank god you continued and we finally got it!

[@bantazmo1978]

YF-23 was a joint venture with McDonald Douglas. Not the other way around. Thanks for what you do

[@RAS_Squints]

First time I ever hear this was when I was a kid playing the SNES game 'UN Squadron' (Area 88) I always just bought the F-14 then saved up all my money for the YF-23

[@hewhoshallnotbenamed5168]

I might be in the minority but I actually prefer the design of the YF23 over the YF22.

[@KirtFitzpatrick]

I don't believe you're in the minority at all.

[@M3PH11]

the YF-23 imo was the better plane. The AF's requirement for agility was just a way of fixing the contract so Lockhead could win. Modern air combat is mostly beyond visual range. Agility is not required when you can fire and forget.

[@simonm1447]

At the end even Lockheed wasn't a real winner, since they built less than 200 aircraft, and now they plan to retire them in the 2030s when the successor NGAD is ready. The F-22 fleet is too small for expensive modernization programs and the Avionics of the F-22 seem to be hard to upgrade, so the F-15 (the F-22 was planned as a F-15 successor) will survive the F-22 in service I the latest F-15 EX variant, which is the bomb truck in a future high/low mix.

[@brianchiasson2465]

If it’s a minority, it’s one I’m perfectly happy being a part of.

[@bantazmo1978]

Only people that disagree like back door politics vs real capability

[@OffTheWall1320]

Still would rather have seen this plane in production than the F-22. There’s strong argument the YF-23 was a better plane.

[@Housetian2]

in tests, the Northrop plane was much farther along and doominated the other craft in testing, but politics.....

[@NationChosenByGod]

Who knows?

[@SonOfAB_tch2ndClass]

The Air Force wasn’t going to trust Northrop that just got busted for lying about it’s missile performance

[@Blackreaper95]

Doesnt really matter at this point, I like both planes but by the time the F-22 was in service it wasn't needed same would have happened to the YF-23

[@laramieslater9433]

Wish they found a compromise and went with both

[@herosjourney8725]

Finally!!! The yf-23 video.

[@marklnz]

I drive past Grey Ghost every time I go grocery shopping...it's parked outside in the sun in Torrance, California, next to a YF-17 and a few others. It's still gorgeous, even after all these years sitting there inactive.

[@adamproductions4529]

One of the most beautiful planes to ever fly.

[@PhycoKrusk]

Imagine if the Air Force had opted to purchase _both:_ The YF-22 for air-to-air, and the YF-23 (with some adjustments to the avionics and possibly the airframe) for air-to-ground and electronic warfare. The pair would've been unstoppable, probably.

[@aarondeboer]

I'm seeing elements of this aircraft inspiring several next gen designs, so luckily elements will live on. It was my favourite in that competition with the F-22.

[@Beardroid91]

Heard somewhere that they wanted the YF-23, but it would have taken engineers from the B2 spirit bomber that Northrop had alot of issues with at the time. But hyped about Japan making a version of it, think it was called the (Northrop)-Mitsubishi F3.

[@Aldairion]

You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this. Thank you so much.

[@eddielopez3041]

If I remember correctly, it was also a little payback because of the how Northrop tried to sell the F-20 to foreign countries after the government declined to purchase it. That PO’d the government so much that they stamped TOP SECRET on the fighter so Northrop couldn’t do anything with it. Ironically I might add, the F-20 was the most advanced fighter by far at the time.

[@philipsilano3947]

A few things to clarify, mainly that the production decision was political, it had nothing to do with the performance of the aircraft. The YF-23 was faster and met all the requirements for maneuverability. The Air Force evaluation pilots from the Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB were told that they would have the primary vote for the winner of this competition. They were lied to, as they picked the YF-23. A very interesting fact, the EMD spec for signature that both companies were designing to meet was very different from the final signature spec that the production aircraft needed to meet. The YF-23 exceeded the EMD spec, The YF-22 could not meet that spec, (so I have been told). So the Air Force changed the rules.

[@nwtruckerll]

The tie-breaker, as both met the USAF requirements was a missile test. The 22 was capable, the 23 was not. Political choice? Maybe so. Maybe not. Six-foot rear view mirrors? Nothing to this day beats the Raptor 1 v 1. That is more than good enough for me.

[@DrsharpRothstein]

I have seen it before - redefine success.

[@DrsharpRothstein]

@@nwtruckerll The selection was based on industrial base requirements followed by the thought that Boeing/Lockheed could produce it within budget.

[@nwtruckerll]

@@DrsharpRothstein YOU seem bent on redefining success. Not me.

[@DrsharpRothstein]

@@nwtruckerll Just calling them as I see them.

[@t.l.robinson2162]

The only aircraft that I have seen out perform the F-22.

[@Yourejusatube]

I've been requesting this video for a while ! Thank you so much !

[@shotoka81]

The Navy Seabees are not well known. As a Veteran who served during the Iraq War attached to the Marine Expeditionary Force in 2003, it would be cool to see you do a video on us. A lot of great history starting from WW2.

[@gogoida1280]

Finally!!!

[@simonrigg8391]

Simon says 'machinegun' M61 Vulcan cannon says 'hold my beer'

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@paulricketts1089]

.....they have/had an YF-23 on ststic display at Zamperini Field in Torrance California. It was behind a chain-link fence. We got them to let us in for a closer inspection. I was amazed at how big it is. It is a beautiful airplane for sure........

[@tumakbaluk]

Thank you, Simon & Team!!! I love this video!

[@firefoxussr31]

Thanks for making this video. I just got back from a trip to Ohio to see this in person (and the X-29, XB-70, B-2.... Wright-Patterson AF Museum is worth a few days for aviation fans or pilots, I'm both 😊).

[@fishdisc7022]

One main reason for the f22 was it was too be cheaper. But they had to add so much to it the cost went way up, so they bought less. If you compare the yf22 to the f22 you can see the changes. Some of those features came from the yf23 development.

[@whodatsaddle]

Probably my all time favorite aircraft. Absolutely beautiful

[@michaelgautreaux3168]

As always, top shelf Simon 👍👍. A GR8 vid . Many thanx.

[@michaelkennedy5803]

The YF-23 is still a groundbreaker in my view. There was not much else in the air that came close to this at the time, and I'm not sure there's much now that could.

[@Quetzalcoatl_Feathered_Serpent]

When it came to the actual stealth. The YF-23 literally is at the time the end all of stealth fighter design. Now if someone was to revive the YF-23 now with all the updated tech it likely would fit comfortably as a 6th Gen fighter.

[@EAWanderer]

Yeah another aircraft!! 🛩️ Didn't I suggest this 1 a while ago too? YF23a black widow ii I'm sure I did somewhere on another megaprojects aircraft video! Exellent! Love this! 👍👍👌😁 Such a shame Looked so Much cooler than F22 raptor

[@mikeyoung9810]

I'd love to see a video about the canals of England. They have a very interesting and long history and now serve as home for narrowboat enthusiasts.

[@ComaDave]

Rest easy, Sir. Your weary search is at an end. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2S0XmZ9mbWAjpI

[@deoon247]

Finalllyyyyyyy!!

[@TheJoeSwanon]

I’m in love with this plane!

[@o.joei.b9929]

Looking how beautiful and powerful it looks...I don't think the world was ready for something so magnificent.

[@thomasrichardson-hall8139]

Love your work 👍 suggestion to do the Great Laxey Wheel, it’s the biggest working water wheel in the world 😎

[@JC-fz2pv]

Yaaaas. Thank you, been asking about this one for awhile because its such a fascinating plane. Good work as always.

[@apex_blue]

Simon you covered the Bismarck and Yamato can you pls do Enterprise or Iowa.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

0:55 - Chapter 1 - Design 4:45 - Chapter 2 - Rejection

[@colbroon1975]

Love ALL the channels you do Simon. 👍👍👍

[@sputumtube]

Can you do one on the Sukhoi SU47 Berkut please..?

[@TheEvilCommenter]

Good video 👍

[@Johnnyboi0001]

'...also known as BLOODY quick!' Haha love it. So my request would be the USS Enterprise Super Carrier. A one off rather than the Nimitz class.

[@NismoPhx]

Love the RC model used in the thumbnail 🤣

[@kashishwadhawan6193]

please make a video on HAL Tejas and Hal Marut

[@raugasai9135]

The YF-23 & the F-22 Raptor were designed & first flew in the early 90s. Even today, they look highly advanced. Someone said the military have weapons platforms 40, even 50 years ahead of what they have at any particular point in time. One can only imagine what they have right now that the public won't know about for another 40 years. Can you say flying saucers? Or perhaps Tic-Tac shaped UFOs?

[@MontytheHorse]

The P-61 was not the first aircraft to carry a radar. It was apparently the first to be designed with a radar as a standard fit. AFAIK, the first operational aircraft to carry an airborne radar was the Bristol Blenheim. Though an HP Heyford was fitted with a radar for testing.

[@bullpupgaming708]

One of the other random beliefs as to why the YF-23 lost out was because Northrop had soured its reputation with the USAF after the B-2 Spirit came out with some major teething problems. But new subject, you've already done a video on the P-47 Thunderbolt, you need to finish it out by doing a video on the O/A-10 Thunderbolt II.

[@johnforsyth7987]

Excellent video. It will be interesting to see what Japan comes up with.

[@pwmiles56]

2:16 the Northrop P-61 was the first aircraft ever to be equipped with radar? Actually RAF aircraft had air-to-air radar from 1940, e.g. Bristol Blenheim and Beaufighter

[@Jimmy-gd5ho]

This episode was fun to watch. Take that how ever you'd like too

[@andersjjensen]

I'll take it as it was fun to watch.

[@Moonshark92]

When’s the A-10 video

[@fluffyninja6380]

Hey Simon, can we get a video on the A-10 Warthog? It's almost as funky looking as the YF-23.

[@alfnoakes392]

2:15 The Black Widow was a long way from being the "first aircraft to be equipped with radar". It was not even the first US aircraft to carry radar (PBY5), but may have been the first US aircraft to carry Interception Radar (the Brits having supplied details of radar they had developed). The first aircraft to carry radar was the British 1939-45 War aircraft the Bristol Blenheim, with continued development in the Bristol Beaufighter nightfighter. Or were the Germans first? Anyone?

[@simonm1447]

The Black widow was the first US aircraft developed from scratch as a night fighter to carry a radar, which was integrated into the nose to maintain a good aerodynamic and not just retrofitted somewhere. The Germans also had night fighters, but here the radar antennas were located outside the fuselage, causing drag and slowing down the aircraft.

[@alanhelton]

I was so infatuated with this jet!

[@randyrobertson6116]

I love the F-22 Raptor, however I still can't figure out why this jet wasn't chosen over the Raptor. Let's face it, it's one bad ass looking machine. The Raptor is also a beautiful fighter but there's something about the Black Widow and Grey Ghost that makes me think, WOW....this thing looks like it will just vaporize any opposing military hardware. This thing had super cruise of mach 1.3 I think it said, the Raptor does too but I'm not sure if it's as fast. Anyway, In my humble opinion I think the top Brass picked the wrong fighter. There's a pretty good documentary about the competition between the two jet makers and how disappointed they were when they realized they didn't get the contract.

[@recoilrob324]

The AF likes evolutionary more than revolutionary when choosing an aircraft design....and the YF-22 was based on much more conventional construction methods which were well proven. Also remember that at the same time as the fly-off Northrop was building the B-2's and having massive problems and cost over-runs so their ability to build the YF-23's was jaded in the eyes of the AF...especially when they had a competing jet that met all the specifications as well and no doubt could be built. The YF-22 had also developed to the point of successfully firing internally stored missiles which the YF-23 had not as yet been able to and this was also a Major factor in the decision as this is not a simple thing and has the potential to cause massive cost over-runs as they worked through the problems. Again the YF-22 looked to be the safer bet and while we at P&W also thought the YF-23 was the cooler looking of the aircraft....when looking at the whole program I think the AF chose the right aircraft to produce. Also speaking of the engine competition between P&W and GE....we lost in several areas of performance to the GE (though not by much) and they thought they had the contract in the bag....until the service crews got their say as to which engine they preferred to work on....and this is what pushed the decision to buy the P&W 5000 as it was designed with servicing and lower parts count as a priority. When choosing a new platform you need to look at the 'Big Picture' and not just go with the best looking by stats...build, fly and service all go together and the best PACKAGE is the one to choose. The AF chose wisely with the F-22....it's just a shame we don't have more of them and instead a whole bunch of F-35's....ugh.

[@randyrobertson6116]

@@recoilrob324 thanks for your comment. I agree with your reasoning. I just almost wished they could have built both. But you know how it goes, the bottom line and cost savings is king in the USAF. Look at the F-35. That plane almost seemed like it was going to be scrapped due to overbudget issues and technical problems. But it ended up getting completed. So you swayed me, I think it retrospect that the f-22 was the wiser decision when looking at it from more than just the aspect of it "looking bad ass". Thanks again

[@Garganzuul]

Suggestion: TERCOM :)

[@kevinb1574]

Could you do a video on the Navy's Deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV)?

[@weirdguy564]

Rumor has it that the YF-23 didn't die a quiet death like we think. There are reports that it was taken as the new SR-71 replacement plane. The YF-23 was enlarged, now having dual tandem cockpits up front, and a bigger bomb bay. It is the new "Stealth bomber" that replaces the F-117 for attack bombing missions, and the SR-71 for photo recon missions.

[@mayoite160]

SUGGESTION: Ilyushin IL-2 - The single most produced military aircraft in aviation history - Visionary WWII ground-attack "flying tank" and spiritual predecessor to the A-10 Warthog - Some WWII German nicknames for it: "meat grinder", "butcher", "black death", "slaughterer", "concrete bird" - What Stalin had to say about it: "Our Red Army now needs IL-2 aircraft like the air it breathes, like the bread it eats."

[@izaac1312]

Great video

[@adamgajewski81]

Hell even politics are really what killed that tomcat. We were finally doing mods on that jet that should have been done decades ago 6 months before were decommissioned them. Fuel system maintenance was one on the highest man hou consumers. Motive flow (high pressure) fuel lines and we would eat up 12 hours minimum

[@cleverusername9369]

I have a suggestion for a Megaproject! Would've been more apropos earlier this week, but Pearl Harbor! The planning, the attack, and the cleanup/rebuild

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you

[@ancientjuan1043]

I like how they used an rc plane in the thumbnail…u can see the motor just behind his head

[@nickhawkes2188]

I think this was the shortest Mega Projects video so far lol still didn't miss

[@mardukmd2274]

those side by side shots of the yf23 flying with the yf22 are hard to look at. in the looks department, the yf23 is a 10 while the yf22 is a 6.

[@marvwatkins7029]

How Simon so loves to roll up his sleeves.

[@mirthenary]

Always wanted the YF23 to win🙁, it just looks so much cooler

[@pilotman012]

Cool. Saw it this past summer at the Museum of the Air Force. Right next to the XB-70

[@henrikandreason7261]

I freakin' love this aircraft. One of the most beautiful ever made.

[@77cemoore]

Love the jet fighter videos!

[@LtBRS]

The most beautiful aircraft I've ever seen!

[@michaelrunnels7660]

The Chief Engineer in charge of the ATF program, Rick Abell, has stated for over 30 years that the competition between the YF-22 and YF-23 was NOT determined solely by which airplane was better. The capabilities of the manufacturers to build the airplane to the design specs efficiently was a huge part of the decision. The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas team came up lacking in that area behind the Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics team.

[@Ghoststriker107]

My dad actually worked on those aft deck tiles! Can only imagine the engineering challenge of having the exhaust from after-burning engines mere inches away from a composite skin.

[@nathanielcharbonneau9083]

Love the channel. How about a video about Ft Drum in the Philippines?

[@JohannesSebastian]

Great video However from the comments it is clear that with better research this video would have been better - and longer 👍 Keep it up