Northrop YF-23

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The Northrop–McDonnell Douglas YF-23 is an American single-seat, twin-engine, stealth fighter prototype technology demonstrator designed for the United States Air Force (USAF). The design team, with Northrop as the prime contractor, was a finalist in the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) demonstration and validation competition, battling the Lockheed-led YF-22 team for full-scale development and production. Nicknamed "Black Widow II", two YF-23 prototypes were built. In the 1980s, the USAF began looking for a replacement for its F-15 fighter aircraft to more effectively counter emerging threats such as the Soviet Union's advanced Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters. Several companies submitted design proposals; the USAF selected proposals from Northrop and Lockheed for demonstration and validation. Northrop teamed up with McDonnell Douglas to develop the YF-23, and Lockheed, Boeing, and General Dynamics developed the YF-22. The YF-23 was considered stealthier and faster, but less agile than...

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