YF23

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The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 was an American single-seat, twin-engine stealth fighter aircraft technology demonstrator designed by the United States Air Force for the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition. The design battled Lockheed's YF-22 for a production contract and emerged as one of two finalists in the highly competitive ATF program. Two prototypes were built, nicknamed "Black Widow II" and "Gray Ghost," showcasing cutting-edge stealth technology. In the 1980s, the USAF sought a replacement for its aging fighter aircraft to counter the advanced Sukhoi Su-27 and Mikoyan MiG-29 from the USSR. Multiple companies submitted design proposals, with Northrop and Lockheed emerging as top contenders. The USAF selected these two companies to move forward with their designs: Northrop partnered with McDonnell Douglas to develop the YF-23, while Lockheed teamed up with Boeing and General Dynamics to create the YF-22.