YF-23 Walk Around and Design Features by Test Pilot Paul Metz

[@taofledermaus]

I remember rooting for this design. Really a beautiful plane.

[@taofledermaus]

This is a great channel. They get some amazing lectures from veteran pilots that flew everything from WWII German fighters, to B52's, and SR71's. Great to watch when nothing is on TV. I don't think this channel gets much promotional help from KZbin because they don't post HD videos, and don't monetize the videos.

[@garethwilkin5565]

+TAOFLEDERMAUS Which is why i respect them i hate this thirst for material wealth.

[@garethwilkin5565]

+TAOFLEDERMAUS She really is isn't she? She wouldn't look out of place a century from now. Faster stealthier and a longer range saving on mid air refuelling. Definitely the better bird.

[@thefreeman8791]

LOL. That is about it. In pretty much every other area the 22 was better. The 22 had better sensor fusion. The 22 had better maneuverability, especially at high altitude and at low speeds. The 22 was all original whereas the 23 had borrowed key parts from other aircraft while still being more expensive. The 22 also had a bigger payload. And while the 23 was faster, the max speed that it flew during testing was mach 1.6 and the 22 flew mach 1.58 and 15 mph is not a big difference. Yes the 23 was a good plane but the 22 deserved to win.

[@11ride4life]

@@taofledermaus I love this channel and it blows my mind how little views this great content gets..

[@InkandFish555]

This is honestly one of the best presentations on an aircraft I've ever seen.

[@simonvance8054]

Far cooler looking that the F-22! Still looks way more futuristic today!..

[@bujoun76]

I never imagined that a war machine could be so beautiful.

[@andreberetta8565]

FrakU2 There’s even more beautiful and better than this. The F 22 Raptor

[@vinylexplorer9817]

Impressive plane! I'm glad I had a chance to see it in person in California! What a day, my friends... what a day!

[@daddiodizzle8990]

Wow. A pleasure to learn firsthand from this driver. Thank you for your service.

[@ddlesk06]

What a great walk-around and detailed discussion! Thank you for taking the time to put this together!

[@mikelykan.9416]

It infuriates me that its difficult to get a decent desktop model of this beautiful piece of areonautic engineering.

[@Dr.Know_4U]

Most don't appreciate what an advanced design this is. Low polar moment makes possible this low drag, high-speed tailless configuration, giving it better speed, range, stealth, payload and maneuverability than the F-22. All with only two aft control surfaces, not 8 like the F-22. Made possible because the center of lift has been moved forward.

[@HalcyonSkies]

It was stated officially that the F-22 is more agile than the YF-23. I personally love the YF-23, probably my favorite jet after the F-8 Crusader. I think what killed the F-23 was political though. If Northrop got the contract, they'd have a monopoly on both fighters and bombers, considering they already had the B-2 contract (and they now have the B-21 Raider project. It's a shame though, this beauty needs to fly with the birds, not be stuck on the ground being crapped on by them!

[@afoose]

it was more "agile" because LM pulled 9gs in test flights- manuvers which were not requirements or in the test plan and NG understandably didn't to test something which wasnt a requirement. both the 22 and the 23 met the trimmed 60 deg AOA but the 23 did it without thrust vectoring. another bolt of wool LM pulled over the USAF procurement team/taxpayers

[@jeffchilds8050]

@@HalcyonSkies "stated officially" by whom? The AF? Lockheed? Watch the documentary on the 23 on you tube channel Western Museum of Flight. Very informative.

[@buddyculley6643]

The YF-23 would have been a very good addition to our aviation arsenal. Both the F-22 and YF-23 would make a awesome 1-2 punch in combat missions. I still believe the navy should have taken the YF-23 as their stealth fighter. It would have given the navy a deadly weapon .

[@TheUmbrex]

dont really need it to bomb arab countries for oil though ..and radar technology has come so far stealth isn't as big a deal anymore should a large scale conflict arise

[@karlchilders5420]

The YF-23 would've been terrible for a deployed stealth weapon since it was not able to fold wings and save space for forward deployment. The Marines could've used it in a non-Carrier scenarios though.

[@mikeyz1080]

Yeah the Navy version would if needed canards . But they did offerer the Navy after they cancelled their contract for one of these . They offered a better if 23 think it was called a tomcat 21

[@Sphere723]

"First rule of government spending; why build one when you can have two at twice the price."

[@adrianhinds9200]

Think you mean why buy two, when you can buy one at twice the price

[@ward6070]

the Widow and the Raptor, what a team they could be!!!!!

[@zefdin101]

Awesome rundown of features of the plane Mr Metz. Just fascinating and we will never know if the correct decision was made I guess? Thank you for your service sir. You are a great American!

[@thepirate5955]

Classy interview, all the way around. Bravo!

[@everyone5724]

YF-23 Black Widow II. The only plane that was saw fit to carry the name originally given to the P-61c Blackwidow.

[@jvburnes]

This was a beautiful design. Northrup and the American people were screwed when they sidelined it. I'd like to see a modern plane that uses this design as a base and extends it. Looking at this plane and then thinking what a boondoggle the F35 is makes me wonder if a whole generation of fighters based on the YF23 wouldn't have been a much better option. (I know the F35 is a multirole fighter and the YF23 was designed as "air dominance".)

[@garethwilkin5565]

+jvburnes Yes indeed.

[@Nine-TailedFox4]

jvburnes the YF-23 was less well planned, more expensive, and more complex than the YF-22. What makes you think that this plane would not be a "boondoggle" just like he F-35 and F-22? Northrop is not well renown for not having procurement issues. The F-35 has turned out fine. No more of a nightmare than the B-2. "Look at this early prototype that didn't even have a fully fleshed out weapons bay. It would have been so much better because I just know this more expensive fighter would have turned out to be less of a development nightmare than comparatively simple fighters". Lol...

[@dadsonworldwide3238]

We literally beat the enemy to mass production of known tech always keeping the next step ready.

[@mro-aviation]

jvburnes, looks like Japan wants a modern version of this as an alternative/ complement to the F35 they're getting.

[@st3wi3D]

jvburnes - Completely agree. Our geniuses at the DOD all have stock in Lockheed so Northrop will continue to get shafted. Their should be a joint modernization project for the YF23 to offset cost; I nominate Israel, Sweden & Japan to work with Northrop-Grumman to bring this back to life.

[@karl7108]

Old rule: If it looks good, it flies good. This plane is Cindy Crawford of its days. Shame it has been cancelled.

[@sabre22b]

What a truly amazing and beautiful plane. I did enjoy the part where the pilot started to talk about "improved visibility" from the pit, choked on his confidentiality agreement and moved on. (No one look at the 360*360 enabled polymer display. Move along now.)

[@TacticsTechniquesandProcedures]

This video is a perfect piece of aviation history. Thank you!

[@chrisbishop1534]

a true work of art,i can't understand why no one wanted it .what a shame

[@rcairflr]

It was never offered to anyone. The F-22 was selected and the F-23 became a blip in history.

[@Kaname1981]

Always Thought she should have won absolute beautiful aircraft. Love the fact there a Royal navy harrier two-seater in the background.

[@nippon2003]

Those engineers are not only enginers. They are also artists!

[@chinocolwell7701]

Love the f23 would love to see it make a come back.

[@lexnicolai1442]

Such a remarkably beautifull and thoroughbred design.

[@aleccap5946]

incredible that the F22 won the compo but then due to expenses cancelled productions of the F22 if this aircraft had won then maybe we'd be seeing these YF23

[@matthewk4930]

rumors are afoot... Japan may bring the F-23 back from the dead in 2019! True Story!

[@mro-aviation]

Matthew Krawitz, in talks as we speak... I'm rooting for this to happen. If not in the USAF then in some other air force as long as it fly's.

[@st3wi3D]

That would be great only if they pay for ours also. No way Japan's Air force gets this beast unless we get it too. They have the money; let's go!

[@dominicviner6619]

No they won't stop with that, rumors no shit. What ever you hear just don't believe it. The plane most likely won't be back unless they can get something out of the airframe.

[@britishpeopleyellowteeth6071]

we can't let this beauty rot there, engineers worked hard. LET THE BEAST FLY!!!!

[@trentonr7072]

I hope that happens and the the US buys some.

[@tobyrabbit7948]

I’m really glad I found your channel! I’ve been watching your videos and they are wonderful. Great Job!

[@Quietruck]

Simply the most beautiful and well designed plane of our century. And if they it had been chosen who knows how much better it would be by now, with more time to farther development. I certainly think that the computerized operation of this craft would have blossomed considering how far we have come since then in that area of our military. Also, we might take note that many countries hostile to the US are attempting to design jets not much different then the YF-23. Chalk up another bad decision by the powers that were then and still are now. Finally I also doubt that it would been as over budget, behind schedule and fault ridden as the F-35 Lightning II is now.

[@Erik-rp1hi]

Torrance airport museum needs a nice big home/building for all the military planes (and stuff they have) in that gated sun drenched lot. Just like out at march a few years ago to see a SR-71 out in the elements. Now it is inside thank god.

[@rockkitty100]

Beautiful plane!!! I had read several articles that stated the YF-23 was slightly superior to the YF-22, however, Lockheed Martin needed the contract as Northrop was going to get the B-2 contract. There has been rumors for years that the F-23 was going into production in a JV with Japan. That would be great as clearly the Air Force is now kicking itself for not securing as many F-22's as they wanted. An updated F-23 with Japan would be amazing but likely will never happen. Thank you for this great video!!!

[@garyrapp5645]

Thamk you very much Mr.Metz. I always preferred the Northrop YF-23 over the Lockheed design. I was deeply disappointed by the final choice of the F-22. I always wondered which plane Chuck Yeager would have chosen.

[@SortaProfessional89]

Such a shame they never made this. Such a beautiful aircraft. Funny part is the Su-57 looks like a rip off of this airframe.

[@jimsteele9289]

While I do appreciate understanding some of the stealth techniques used to design these aircraft, my sense is that you have given our enemies a few tips regarding stealth design.

[@Rob-vv5yn]

Or they could just go to the museum and see the other first hand to take notes. Paul said nothing super duper that’s unknown just basic facts.

[@urtwietii]

The real secret is the manufacturing process and math. To trupy copy this plane would take reverse engineering, not a walk-around.

[@nbertf]

Spider was an alternate name to Gray Ghost, both of PAV-2 (the one in video). PAV-1 was called Black Widow

[@gilbertgonzalez9950]

It looks more arodynamic than the Raptor and shows to have more stealth capability. Its shear size can carry more ordnance than the 35.....

[@Scalettadom]

It looks completely organic. Beautiful. Way cooler than the F-22.

[@CongrexesPrime]

Sexiest plane ever built!

[@debbiekoenke5079]

I remember this A/c well... the weapons bay were opened by rotary actuation modified from F-16 and F-18 leading edge actuation systems. IF I remember correctly the bay doors opened and closed in one second.

[@kevin.a.goff.39]

Bring Back YF23

[@mikelykan.9416]

Yeap just make it bigger to eventually replace the Lancer another beaut.

[@JohnSmithExtra]

Best plane on the planet, I was hoping it would be chosen back in the day over the 22.

[@jaromeunrooski6963]

Reminds me a little of Firefox.

[@ppipowerclass]

The YF-23 was far and beyond a better aircraft than the YF-22 / F-22. Lower RCS, better engines, longer range, more payload.

[@NMdesertracer]

Very true! it should have won...

[@mattwalden4020]

Wonder if the Lockheed bribery scandals has anything to do with the YF-22 YF-23 fly off. The F22 focuses on agility The YF-23 focuses on speed and stealth I think these planes would have worked well together in service

[@Jojo_Bee]

But no thrust vectoring.

[@williamkillingsworth2619]

No the issue was Northrop screwed the pouch on the B-2, not only that they own the drone market.

[@antonyborlase3965]

Better engines, that failed in prototype resting. It had to make do with 110’s I think

[@herosjourney8725]

A team of f-35, f-22 and yf-23 would be amazing and deadly. F-35 being multirole. F-22 being air to air combat. Yf-23 being bomber. But thatcant happen because air force never put this into production. Plus all that would be missing from the 3 aircraft team above would be a stealthy a-10 thunderbolt replacement and a f-15 2040c.

[@allanlansdowne340]

Japan could be restarting this planes development in 2019

[@Dakers11]

A Naval Variant that's Ideal to me, would have been to keep the same body and Wing plan. However, with folding wings, Like the YF-17 Cobra/ FA-18 Hornet. The Navy was never going to purchase (Y)F-22 . Or the presented Naval version of the YF-23, which was a very different design from PAV 2 shown here & PAV 1 . Which is why the Navy cancelled their contract the very next day, after the (Y)F-22 was selected as the winner.

[@ward6070]

there was/is enough money for both YF23 and f22. could have split the order between both. both fighters would really be an unstoppable, unseen , lethal complement to each other!!!!

[@andreberetta8565]

Rodon Howard No, they chose the superior one. That’s why the program was called Superior Air Fighter

[@MotoroidARFC]

The F22 program came in just as the Cold War ended. The military was denied the funding it had gotten earlier and cut backs took place. Many military units were disbanded, bases closed, ships decommissioned and the number of people in uniform reduced. Even the number of F22s ordered was reduced. Supporting two fighter programs in an age of cutbacks and the primary opponent's military falling apart?

[@RICKYCHAVEZ1980]

Beautiful aircraft. I really wish that the YF-23 was the winner of that contract. I personally think that it was a better aircraft than the Raptor.

[@jacksavage197]

Really informative, thanks.

[@MrCool-qi7cy]

The only aircraft to ever threaten the F-22.

[@nippon2003]

“if it looks good, it will fly good” This thing is flying good...

[@super_slav91]

This should have been chosen instead of the yf-22

[@johnharris7353]

Well most everyone realizes that all these are going to diminish in favor of unmanned aircraft, which will be cheaper and much, much faster, and more deadly. Cheaper, smaller, faster, better. No cockpit, no ejection seats, no armour, no design limits-we're gettin' there.

[@larrynla]

Correct. A likely scenario is a wo/manned "shepherd" plane trailing a herd of attack "dogs" and directing them in combat. (A remote controller has disadvantages which an on-scene controller lacks.)

[@davemiller6155]

Gorgeous bird!

[@NotMyAccount]

...Does it come in black?

[@codered5431]

Usaf should build 10 yf23 so they can compare and use them for taking out sam sights

[@bobbeckel5266]

It looks like it could fly a lot higher that any other fighter.

[@frankcrawford416]

It is really thought out!

[@joshshanks4550]

Paul saw your old nothrop video flying yf 23 did you ever go to anthill

[@velerof1fyt993]

YF 23 was to anime ahead of its time

[@maricidevamega939]

4:38 This Pitot tube is one of the questions I have for F-35. Since Mr. Metz said it is a temporary test device for F-22 and there is a stealthy version of it, then why F-35 still have them on MP aircrafts?

[@anonymousperson2110]

For reliability and cost reasons. Those small, flush holes can get clogged easily, and therefore have to be maintained more. Also, because those holes are much closer to the jet, the jet's disturbance on the airflow near the holes not negligible, so the numbers that those holes give aren't actually accurate - experimentation is required to get a correction factor that's applied to the sensor readings to get the true air data. This experimentation drives cost up. Also, nobody's really used this technology before, so R&D cost is also very high.

[@ChevyBM]

The YF-23 looks more stealthy than the F-22

[@zacharyjones1285]

Originally the f23 was better all way round but at the time the airforce didnt know what they wanted and they thought the f23 wasn't agile enough so they ended up with the 22 cool fact the engines and stealth used in the 23 they incorporated it into the 22

[@chahinebinsaleh6954]

Such a beautiful babe the YF-23 is!

[@AvatarSampai]

Why are they explaining everything that they did for this ridiculous craft when the F22 is secretly kept from the public? Even if the YF 23 isnt used in the military its still really advanced for even todays standards... I think

[@MotoroidARFC]

No. This is an almost 30 year old design which no one has stolen and copied. The reason for the F22's secrecy is obvious: it is on active front line service. It is not sitting in various musems.

[@sheepleofusa9627]

Amazing how I was watching video so long ago on this aircraft, VHS style! No way in hell did this aircraft just "end". I bet 100% it went to the black projects. This aircraft was beating the f22 on so many levels! This plane can shoot to 100ft in seconds, one pilot said "it almost doesn't need wings"

[@rifletwist]

No Gatling gun on the YF-23?

[@whatcher8151]

20 mm , plus this is my choice over the 22. But there are other considerations we are not privy to.

[@clydecessna737]

It makes you wonder what 6th Gen will look like.

[@mrrolandlawrence]

& faster than the f22 by some margin! had this won, they might have had a chance of volume production. the f22 was cut short because of construction difficulties.

[@MotoroidARFC]

and short sighted penny pinching. How are you supposed to defend a nation as large as the US with 187 of these (less now by 4)?

faster and lighter then f22 I don't know why they don't give green light for its production this is true stealth machine a fighter for total war

[@willielukowsky8470]

I got a really good question Is the Yf 23 Black Widow still in service for the United States Air Force?

[@murdrrr9677]

Never went into production. F22 or won the completion and the f23 went to museums.

[@LordDigz12]

Pav-2!!

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

This was my fav..

[@edwin3928ohd]

When talking about the plane, he says words like "IS" and not "WAS" like alot of "documentaries" out there.

[@fw1421]

Is that a real prototype or a mock-up?

[@MotoroidARFC]

That is one of two that were built and flown in evaluations competing against the YF22.

[@marcellomassaro3675]

Watch the documentary of the YF-23. Its real maximum speed is unknown but it hits 1.8 Mach from what we are told. Watch the Documentary, hear it for yourself. Real speed isn’t allowed to be known, this things fast. Common sense it probably hit around 2-2.5 Mach but we’ll never know...

[@Rip-Tear-Lacerate64]

This Jet was built to do exactly what is needed to attack an enemy We don’t need stealth to protect the mainland. This plane looks the part. Thrust Vectoring seems more appropriate for Jets that protect within the US

[@samrathore9396]

Good one

[@fatdoi003]

i was quite sad when YF22 won the comp...... but now seeing it closer, it lacks thrust vector and those heat tiles would be pain to service

[@garethwilkin5565]

+William Ng But for a mission requiring stealth and speed thrust vectoring shouldn't be an issue the considerably longer range between refuelling should negate all the cons.

[@MrBioniclefan1]

+Gareth Wilkin you have a point.

[@widg3tswidgets416]

Gareth Wilkin You have to be able to fight too. If i told you that you were entering hostile airspace, and had to choose between a place that is uber stealthy, but couldn't fight very well, or a plane that is nearly as stealthy, but knocks the block off of anything else in the air, which would you choose? You might add that planes inevitably get stealthier with time. The YF23 was supposed to have been slightly stealthier, and slightly faster (slightly is estimated to be at around 20 percent). But it wasn't just 20 percent less capable at fighting. It was more like 50 to 75 percent less capable. You essentially had a stealth jouster going up against a mediocre ninja. It just pays to be a ninja more often.

[@garethwilkin5565]

Widg3t's Widgets The YF-23 was just as if not more so. PAV 2 was faster and had a considerably longer range. Jim Sandberg the test pilot for PAV 2 said it was the best plane he had ever flown and would ever fly.

[@thefreeman8791]

Well according to yf23.net, hardly supporters of the F-22, the YF-23 flew mach 1.6 without afterburners and the YF-22 flew at mach 1.58 without afterburners during testing. That is a 15 mph difference. Not exactly a huge deal. The 23 did have farther range because it had more fuel. But Northrop sacrificed weapons for fuel. So the 22 had room for eight missiles and the 23 only had room for six. Why? Because they used that space for fuel. And it is obvious that they knew that they lacked in that area because their Dem'Val proposal adds to the length of the 23 and adds a weapons bay under the cockpit. The production 22 is three meters shorter than the YF-23 was and it is a foot shorter than the YF-22. All with the same fuel and weapons. And the 23 would have been a good fighter but the 22 could fly just as high and just as fast and was certainly more maneuverable especially at high altitude. And as far as the stealth of each aircraft... that is still classified so those that know how stealthy each aircraft are/were can not say. the fact of the matter is that the 23 was a great plane but it was handled horribly by Northrop and the 22 flat out outclassed it in key areas like in it's weapons payload and in it's sensor fusion ability which was superior to Northrop's and that is a pretty big deal with 5th gen aircraft.

[@imthefuckinglizardking4590]

They should build the f28 alongside f22s and f35s they'd keep air superiority for the next 20yrs

[@P51]

that was cool

[@jimmycarter2492]

Need to build a couple wings of this aircraft with the threats in the world today.

[@718EngrCo]

I think they should have kept the red hourglass....

[@Pvillarama]

Configure this to a 6th gen fighter. There is no need to wait 10 years for the next gen fighter. It would be cost effective to reconfigure this plane than spending more of the tax payers money building a new design.

[@mijemumijemu4466]

That plane can take down the F-22 Raptor.

[@sinfakealexito2954]

I love this plane on air combat game on cellphone I could imagine it in real life

[@altonwilliams7117]

Better than the F22. More stealthy, just as maneuverable, faster, longer range.

[@Flashblade]

Why doesn't the Air Force use this magnificent aircraft as a replacement for the B-52?

[@play_station_kid5997]

+Justin DeMatteo The YF-23 is super stealthy, but it cant carry out that kind of payload.

[@garethwilkin5565]

+play_station_kid I agree but i do believe the weapons bays are a little larger than the F-22.

[@scottb1381]

It isn't a heavy bomber. As capable as it was, it could only carry only a fraction of the payload of the BUF. Paul definitely has the Right Stuff!. It is a shame that politics and possible production issues lead to choosing the F-22.

[@johnleyland338]

Enjoyed that, shame they couldn't have had both planes. It certainly would make the Russians think!!

[@GiantRock62]

Hey, the country Turkey needs a new 5th Gen fighter urgently instead of bumble bee f35 ripoff junk, they want to develop and build it on home soil, an updated f23 would b a great candidate as a ready design which is much better option than developing one from scratch that they have started already anyway..

[@insolentstickleback3266]

It is a stunning aircraft I hope Japan builds it!

[@29LiveZ]

Anybody got a read on that hat?

[@rcairflr]

F119, it is the engines used on F-22 and on one of the YF-23

[@dadsonworldwide3238]

America builds just enough to dominate but not so much that a downed jet can advance the enemys knowledge.

[@chuckmiller5763]

We should have used both the f-22 and this one. As tax payers flipping the bill, I say, lets do it. at least 100 of them. Update them with updated technology.

[@coldhart79]

Both the US YF23 and Russia SU47 ended in a waste due to human greed politically. Put the Su47 aside, people used the manuvuerrablity lost to the YF22 compared to the YF23. By how much? Only the YF22 has the limited thrust vectoring unlike the Russian 360 degrees thrust vectoring. But if you take a closer look at YF23, the tail fins and the rudders are combined making it very manuvuerable unlike what those people said. Its really a waste to see this beautiful "bird" become a thrash parked instead of using it and dumped the JSF aside.

[@geemonster9179]

I think it's better than the F-22

[@e.l.norton]

It's a shame. It was the superior aircraft. But, it's a game of politics and relationships and not who built the better mousetrap.

[@thefreeman8791]

I really like the 23 but those that say that it was eons better than the 22 need to do some research and look at it objectively. The 23 had many great qualities but to say that the 22 did not merit to win is absurd. The 22 outperformed the 23 in just as many fields. That is why the DoD said that in the end they decided on the platform that gave them the biggest bang for their buck.

[@whatcher8151]

The Pentagon was pissed about cost over runs and that was a big factor.

[@larry_arcanist5251]

how to Destroy F-22 Use YF-23

[@michaelmckinnon427]

The YF-23 was rejected because it didn't have the wings it would use in service (it would have used the same wings as the Raptor in service)

[@TacTechMic]

This type video needs not be out in public.

[@SilverSpoon_]

i think one of the factors that made it a failure was the fact it was too stealth, even during the test, on american hardware they might have preffered to still be able to keep an eye on their fighters, who knows... you wouldn't steal a perfectly stealth plane, wouldn't you Anon?

[@imthefuckinglizardking4590]

Silver Spoon they just didn't have confidence that stealth would actually work and wanted the better manuverability that the F22s had because of vertical thrust vectoring.

[@monaco6961]

any truth to the rumour that the f35 [turkey] is taking to long and costing billions is because thay are trying to fit yf23 avionics which is so advanced thay redesigned the [turkey] for it to fit

[@mikelitoris3438]

Just casually reveals all its shit in public xD Very interesting tho & unformative