The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 was 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 ATF (Advanced Tactical Fighter) competition, battling the Lockheed YF-22 for a production contract. Two YF-23 prototypes were built, nicknamed “Black Widow II” and “Gray Ghost”.
In the 1980s, the USAF began looking for a replacement for its fighter aircraft, especially to counter the USSR’s advanced Sukhoi Su-27 and Mikoyan MiG-29.
Several companies submitted design proposals. The USAF selected proposals from Northrop and Lockheed. Northrop teamed with McDonnell Douglas to develop the YF-23, while Lockheed, Boeing and General Dynamics developed the YF-22.
The first YF-23 was rolled out on 22 June 1990. Prototype Air Vehicle 1 (PAV-1)had the serial number 87-0800. The second YF-23, PAV-2, with serial number 87-0801, made its first flight on 26 October, same year.
The YF-23 was stealthier and faster, but less agile than its competitor, Lockheed YF-22.
After a four-year development and evaluation process, the YF-22 was announced the winner in 1991 and entered production as the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.
The U.S. Navy considered using the production version of the ATF as the basis for a replacement to the F-14, but these plans were later canceled.
The two YF-23 prototypes were museum exhibits as of 2010. PAV-1 is located in the National US Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio. The second prototype is at display in the Western Museum of Flight, located at Zamperini Airfield in Torrance California.
