Northrop YF-23
Real Vehicle Profile

Northrop YF-23

车辆背景与资料

Northrop–McDonnell Douglas YF-23 是一款为美国空军(USAF)设计的单座、双引擎、隐身战斗机原型技术验证机。以 Northrop 为主承包商的设计团队是美国空军先进战术战斗机(ATF)演示验证竞赛的入围者,与 Lockheed 领衔的 YF-22 团队竞争全尺寸开发和生产权。该原型机被昵称为“Black Widow II”,共制造了两架。

20世纪80年代,美国空军开始寻找其 F-15 战斗机的替代品,以更有效地应对苏联先进的 Su-27 和 MiG-29 战斗机等新兴威胁。多家公司提交了设计方案;美国空军选择了 Northrop 和 Lockheed 的方案进行演示验证。Northrop 与 McDonnell Douglas 合作开发了 YF-23,而 Lockheed、Boeing 和 General Dynamics 则开发了 YF-22。YF-23 在隐身性和速度方面优于其竞争对手,但机动性稍逊。经过四年的开发和评估过程,YF-22 团队于1991年被宣布为获胜者,并开发了 F-22 Raptor,该机型于1997年首飞,2005年服役。美国海军曾考虑使用 ATF 的海军版本作为 F-14 的替代品,但这些计划后来因成本问题而被取消。

试飞结束后,两架 YF-23 被封存,同时多个机构考虑了利用它们进行进一步研究的计划,但均未实施。2004年,Northrop Grumman 使用第二架 YF-23 作为其提议的区域轰炸机的展示模型,但该项目因需要更远航程的轰炸机而被放弃。目前,两架 YF-23 原型机分别陈列于美国国家空军博物馆和西部飞行博物馆。

关联 GTA 载具

图片资料

Diagram of several designs submitted for ATF RFI, showing the comparatively small sizes of Northrop's initial designs
Diagram of several designs submitted for ATF RFI, showing the comparatively small sizes of Northrop's initial designs
From left to right, flat-plate models of Northrop's AMF, USF ("Christmas Tree"), and HSF design concepts. HSF was the preferred concept by 1985.
From left to right, flat-plate models of Northrop's AMF, USF ("Christmas Tree"), and HSF design concepts. HSF was the preferred concept by 1985.
Northrop's DP110 submission for Dem/Val RFP, which was similar to the eventual YF-23
Northrop's DP110 submission for Dem/Val RFP, which was similar to the eventual YF-23
Artwork of Northrop partner McDonnell Douglas' submission for Dem/Val RFP; this design had little influence on the YF-23.
Artwork of Northrop partner McDonnell Douglas' submission for Dem/Val RFP; this design had little influence on the YF-23.
Top view of the YF-23 (DP117K), showing the diamond wings and separation between the forward fuselage and engine nacelles
Top view of the YF-23 (DP117K), showing the diamond wings and separation between the forward fuselage and engine nacelles
The red hourglass painted on the YF-23 PAV-1 for its maiden flight
The red hourglass painted on the YF-23 PAV-1 for its maiden flight
A front view of PAV-1 87–0800 showing the curving exterior of the design
A front view of PAV-1 87–0800 showing the curving exterior of the design
A rear view of a YF-23, showing its tile-lined exhaust channels
A rear view of a YF-23, showing its tile-lined exhaust channels
YF-23 S-duct engine air intake with the porous suction panel in front
YF-23 S-duct engine air intake with the porous suction panel in front
Cutaway drawing of the EMD F-23 design (DP231)
Cutaway drawing of the EMD F-23 design (DP231)
Perspective CAD drawing of NATF-23 DP527, showing the drastic departure from the YF-23's HSF configuration
Perspective CAD drawing of NATF-23 DP527, showing the drastic departure from the YF-23's HSF configuration
Northrop Grumman concept art of the FB-23 "Rapid Theater Attack" regional bomber
Northrop Grumman concept art of the FB-23 "Rapid Theater Attack" regional bomber
The two YF-23s flying over the Mojave Desert. They were nicknamed "Gray Ghost" (background), and "Spider" (foreground).
The two YF-23s flying over the Mojave Desert. They were nicknamed "Gray Ghost" (background), and "Spider" (foreground).
A YF-22 in the foreground with a YF-23 in the background
A YF-22 in the foreground with a YF-23 in the background
YF-23 3-view drawing from Northrop/McDonnell Douglas
YF-23 3-view drawing from Northrop/McDonnell Douglas
YF-23 PAV-1 in flight
YF-23 PAV-1 in flight