F23

SONofODIN

F-23

I prefer this bird over F-22. The design is unique and more aesthetic. Too bad, this is an unwanted piece of hi tech machine.

SONofODIN

History:

In 1981, the Air Force developed a requirement for an Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) as a new air superiority fighter. It would take advantage of the new technologies in fighter design on the horizon including composite materials, lightweight alloys, advanced flight control systems, higher power propulsion systems, and stealth technology. Air Force leaders believed these new technologies would make aircraft like the F-15 and F-16 obsolete by the early 21st century. In 1985, the Air Force sent out technical requests for proposals to a number of aircraft manufacturing teams (Boeing/General Dynamics and Northrop/McDonnell Douglas). The Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) project was conceived in the early years of Reagan administration. It was pictured as being the aircraft which would replace the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle in USAF service. The competitors were Lockheed with its YF-22A and Northrop/McDonnell Douglas with its YF-23A. Like the YF-22A team, the Northrop team built two YF-23A prototypes, P[rototype] A[ir] V[ehicle] 1 (s/n 87800, known as "Grey Ghost" and 2 (s/n 878001, known as "Spider" , the first with Pratt & Whitney YF-119 engines and the last whit General Electric YF-120 engines. The first prototype rolled out in June 22, 1990 and began flight testing on August 29. This was 2 days before Lockheed had presented their competitor, the YF-22A. The flight program lasted 65 hours divided into 50 flights, ended by second prototype 18th Dec 1990. Flight testing was very successful, unfortunately the more conventional YF-22A won the competition in 1991. The YF-23A is said to have been more stealthy and faster that the YF-22A, while the YF-22A was more maneuverable and had a better thought out (and already working) missile deployment system. It is rumored that the outcome was partly due to economical reasons, and YF-23A technology might be flying today in more recent, classified developments.

Specifications:

Prime Contractor: Northrop Corp.
Subcontractor: McDonnell Douglas Corp.
Type: YF-23A "Black Widow" II
Year: 1990
Crew: 1
Number Built: 2 (PAV-1 (87-800), PAV-2 (87-801))
Engines: 2 YF-119-PW-100 (PAV-1) or 2 YF-120-GE-100 (PAV-2)
Maximum Speed: 1.6M (No AB), 2.0M (AB)
Cruise Speed: 1.45M at 36000Ft
Service Ceiling: 65000Ft
Take Off Lenght: 3500Ft
Maximum G-Loads: +9/-4 Clean at High Altitude
Combat Radius: 750Nm
Empty Weight: 29000Lb
Normal Weight: 54000Lb
Combat Weight: 62000Lb
Fuel Load: 2400Gal
Wingspan: 43.7Ft
Lenght: 67.5Ft
Height: 13.11Ft
Wing Area: 900sqFT
Weapons Load (Planned): 8+ Short/Mid Range AAM + 1 Vulcan Cannon
Remarks: Lost ATF Program to YF-22A

SONofODIN

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[ Last edited by  SONofODIN at 23-4-2007 04:45 PM ]

SONofODIN

........................DELETED........................

[ Last edited by  SONofODIN at 23-4-2007 04:46 PM ]