The tale of the Northrop YF-23 “Black Widow II” is one big “what-if” in the world of flight. Sleek, quick, and ahead of its time, the YF-23 was an amazing work that caught many eyes in the military and aerospace fields. But after the fight in the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) test in the early 1990s, it was the Lockheed YF-22—later named the F-22 Raptor—that got the green light for production. So, what hit the YF-23? Here are the top four reasons why this cool jet ended up as a museum piece rather than flying in the sky.
4. Flexibility and All-Around Skills
The YF-23 was sure stealthy and very fast. But the Air Force was not just after a quick or sneaky plane—it wanted a plane that could grow with time. The F-22, while a bit more plain in look, had a better mix of skills. It was top in stealth but also added new avionics, sensor mixes, and a modular design for updates.
In short, the Air Force saw it as a better long-run choice that could handle new tech and tasks. The YF-23, though great in many ways, was seen as too niche and hard to change for what was coming.
3. Politics and Business Goals
Let’s face it—military deals are not just about the gear. In the back, politics, jobs, and money play big roles. Lockheed joined with big names like Boeing and General Dynamics, which meant more states, more votes, and stronger political pull.
This spread matters when votes decide where lots of money will end up. Northrop, though, was just past its over-budget and slammed B-2 Spirit project. The Air Force needed trust, and Lockheed’s big group gave leaders more trust, not just in the plane, but in the people building it.
2. Pilot Trust and Risk of Issues
When betting on a new-gen fighter, you want to be sure it will fly not just in tests but in real life too. Here, the F-22 led the way. Its look, though less new than the YF-23, was seen as safer and easier to turn into a war-ready plane. In tests, it also had fewer issues.
Pilots liked the F-22 better for its control and ease of flying. In a match where risk and trust were as key as raw power, the F-22 seemed like the safer, smoother choice—one the Air Force felt it could count on to work well.
1. Moves and Thrust Control
Being able to move well was key to the choice. The Air Force still wanted a plane that could fight well up close, and the F-22 was great at this. Its thrust control nozzles let it move very well, making sharp turns, big-angle moves, and straight-up climbs that gave it an edge in fights.
The YF-23, with no move in its nozzles, gave up stealth and speed for close fighting. While its big tail fins gave good control, it just could not match the moves the F-22 showed in the air. Most leaders, especially those who had fought before, liked the plane that could out-move any other in a fight—and that was the Raptor.
Test pilot Paul Metz, who flew both models, would say that Northrop did great in making the plane, but fell short in showing it off. Lockheed, though, knew how to put on a show. Their flights were bold, as sure as they were skilled, leaving a strong mark on those deciding. It was not just flying—it was selling a dream. And Lockheed did it well.
Today, the YF-23 lives just in the minds of flight fans and in museums. Its new design and missed chances still spark talks among pilots and builders. Was the Air Force right to pick as it did? Or did they let go of a future fighter that could have changed air fights? That’s still up in the air—just as the Black Widow once was.