Posted on 11/13/2015 2:50:19 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
That is one beautiful aircraft.
It looks like it has faint resemblance to the SR-71.
What a beautiful aircraft.
I think Northrop lost mainly because the B2 was being built at the time and LockMart was hurting for contacts.
Boeing’s “Monica” never had a chance.
Look's like a high-school age aerospace nut's sketch of a "cool looking" airplane.
Actually, it looks better than that.
Diamonds are a pilot’s best friend.
Although it would have been expensive, the US would have been better off to have completed development of both the F-22 and F-23 to keep the contractors putting out their best efforts on price, quality, and schedule. Moreover, even with the F-22 as the preferred type, a relatively small production run of the F-23 would provide US commanders with the relative advantages of both.
In combat, for example, a five to one ratio of F-22s and F-23s would give the US the ability to use the speed of F-23s for a rapid initial contact and missile volley, with the F-22s then arriving in order to use its maneuverability in a dogfight or its larger internal weapons capacity for bombing missions. Having both types available would also complicate mission planning by our adversaries.
Some observers suspect that US built a small number of F-23s for strategic reconnaissance purposes. Or at least that may be why key performance data remains secret for an aircraft that -- officially -- never went into production.
I look at that picture and my first question is where would they put all the weapons and fuel?
Both the F-22 and F-23 have internal weapons bays like a bomber does, except that the fighters carry less ordnance but sometimes the fighters will carry the same types of ordnance that some bombers do. As for their fuel capacities and where they’re situated, I have no idea but I’m sure if you Googled for a cutaway illustration of either of these fighters, you’ll be able to see where they are.
YF-23 Walk Around and Design Features by Test Pilot Paul Metz
YF-23 DEM/VAL Presentation by Test Pilots Paul Metz and Jim Sandberg
discussion of the aero & RCS features and the V-Tails that I have never heard before are in one of these...
I remember following the competition between these two. I always liked the YF-23 better. Beautiful plane, up there with the B1.
Ah, a fan of Mr. Witcomb I see, ;-) are you aware of the "poor man's area rule" via John Thorp? Google: adverse pressure gradient matching ar-5 to find the link...
But given the shape, there isn’t much internal room, and that’s my point. Consider how they’ve put conformal tanks on the later F16s.
The YF-23 is a pretty and sleek plane, but there isn’t much volume to it.
I remember reading old articles about the USN’s involvement in the ATF selection, but could never remember where. Thanks for posting this.
As to the YF-23, there were rumors for years that a variant had been put into limited production as a black-world/silver bullet strike-interdiction replacement for the F-111 and F-117 fleets. I figure some day we’ll find out ;-)
I think you’d be surprised. The trapezoidal wings of the YF-23 have a LOT of internal volume dedicated to fuel, and there were big side saddle tanks outboard of the engines. Plus the aircraft’s weapons bay was long but shallow. The “hump” behind the cockpit was mostly a big fuel tank too.
The production F-23 was going to be larger than the YF-23 as well.
Am I supposed to be impressed?
Well, I don’t know, but I am UNimpressed with your understanding of what more than one of us is trying to help you with.
Sorry-
...what more than one of us WAS trying to help you with.
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