High-tech aviation does have some planes that leave an indelible impression without ever quite reaching the full extent of service. The Northrop YF-23 Black Widow II is one of the most dramatic examples. Built during an unprecedented crisis in American military life, this potential jet fighter was Northrop’s bold entry into the Air Force Advanced Tactical Fighter competition, the war of wits that would determine the path of the future of American air supremacy.
By the late 1980s, tensions in the global community were shifting, and it was realized by the Air Force that the F-15 Eagle would no longer suffice in the future. With advanced Soviet aircraft such as the MiG-29 and Su-27 leading the way, it was clear that the next generation of aircraft had to be faster, stealthier, and more powerful than any airplane ever flown.
The new design had a plane that would travel supersonically cleanly, avoid detection by radar, and carry out both distance-fighting combat and dogfighting at close combat range. Northrop, in its partnership with McDonnell Douglas, was set to deliver just that, and in all but one or two ways, managed to do so.
The YF-23 was a fighter without precedent in the experience of the world. Diamond-shaped wings and a V-tail made it a leap-of-time design. The lines of the smooth body were accurately chiseled to bend radar waves, and the engines were nestled within the fuselage to minimize noise and heat. The effect was an airplane that could slip past defenses almost undetected, an air ghost.
But stealth was only part of the story. The YF-23 had been designed to be fast, too. One was tested with Pratt & Whitney’s YF119 engine, the other with General Electric’s YF120, both pushing the aircraft to Mach speeds without afterburner thunder and boom. This supercruising gave it a range and efficiency advantage, allowing it to strike and then be gone in a hurry. Its internal weapon bay preserved its sleek look, never sacrificing stealth for punch.
Competing against Lockheed’s YF-22, the competition was a hair’s breadth. Northrop had designed with stealth and speed in mind, while Lockheed emphasized agility and responsiveness. The YF-22 had thrust-vectoring engines, which allowed it to make incredible acrobatics in a dogfight—a feature much valued by the Air Force. After inspection later concluded that the dogfighting close combat superiority, along with Lockheed’s overall track record of success with large defense projects, influenced the decision in its favor.
However, the YF-23 test-flew magnificently. The lead prototype, dubbed “Black Widow II,” made its maiden flight on August 27, 1990, climbing so aggressively that the F-16 chase plane had to use afterburners to stay with it.
The second prototype, dubbed “Gray Ghost,” was not far behind. Both flew to Mach 1.8, demonstrated air-refueling, and performed high-speed handling in a nonchalant manner. There were a number of early teething issues, like windshield stress fractures and engine failure, which were quickly smoothed out. Being a prototype, it was extremely promising.
When the decision was made by the Air Force, the YF-22 emerged victorious. It wasn’t a failure in anyone’s opinion—it came down to priorities. The YF-23 was more agile and stealthier, but the Air Force wanted an airplane that would dominate the close-combat, and Lockheed’s thrust-vectoring design was the one that would do it. There were political reasons, also, and faith in the industry, because Northrop still had problems with its B-2 bomber program.
Though the YF-23 never reached production status, its influence did not cease. The technological leaps it took—stealth design, high-performance engines integrated into the aircraft, and supercruise—began influencing the next generation of fighter aircraft. The engineers who worked on the program carried their knowledge over to future programs like the F-35 and came back with ideas that altered the design of long-range bombers. Black Widow II was not just a losing contestant; it was a stepping stone to future developments.
Today, the two YF-23 prototypes int in museums, still drawing the attention of aviation enthusiasts and inspiring future designers. They never did see action, but their legacy demonstrates what can happen when designers are willing to push the envelope and take a few risks. The YF-23 lost the fight, but it secured its place in history as one of the most unusual ideas of air war ever designed.