The Advanced Tactical Fighter competition is often remembered as a clean win for the F-22 Raptor, but the losing prototype, Northrop’s YF-23, has only grown in stature with time. As air combat shifts ...
-The YF-23 was arguably stealthier and possessed a significantly longer range than its Lockheed competitor. -However, the YF-22 was perceived as more maneuverable due to its thrust-vectoring engines ...
The YF-23’s emphasis on stealth and long-range engagements over dogfighting cost it the race with the YF-22—but in hindsight, its vision was the more influential one. The YF-23 Black Widow II is a ...