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<i>Northrop Grumman's "forgotten" advanced tactical fighter leaves museum and could be heading for bomber contest

Northrop Grumman's long-abandoned YF-23A advanced tactical fighter (ATF) is emerging as the possible basis for a surprise contender for the US Air Force's interim bomber requirement.

The company recently retrieved the second of the two YF-23A "Black Widow II" prototypes (PAV-2) from the Western Museum of Flight in Hathorne, California, ostensibly for repainting for display at a forthcoming Northrop Grumman-backed air fair in August. However, the restoration is also thought to include several changes, including new cockpit displays and other possible cosmetic modifications.

Northrop Grumman confirms restoration of the General Electric YF120-powered PAV-2 is taking place, but declines to comment on whether the revived YF-23A is linked to any USAF proposal. But sources close to the studies, which were kicked off by the USAF's recently issued request for information, say Northrop Grumman now includes a YF-23-based "regional" bomber concept among its raft of proposals and that the USAF "is interested".

Until now, the company's offerings are known to include an upgraded B-2, X-47B unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) -based studies and possible designs based on its quiet supersonic technology programme. The distinctive, rhomboid-winged YF-23A lost out to Lockheed Martin's YF-22 in the ATF competition in 1991, but proved a valuable technology testbed for Northrop Grumman, which gave it all-aspect stealth. The company says it "drew upon a wide range of experience for its response to the interim bomber RFI, and the YF-23 is one".

Other contenders include a Boeing's B-1R (regional) re-engined bomber studies and a larger D-model version of its X-45 UCAV, while Lockheed Martin is considering various derivatives of the F/A-22. These include single- and two-seat, re-winged and tailless versions dubbed the FB-22, the larger of which would be able to cruise at Mach 1.8 and have 75% of the range of the B-2 carrying up to 30 115kg (250lb) small-diameter bombs. Lockheed Martin is also understood to be offering a variety of other manned designs, including a flying-wing concept.

The interim bomber is intended to bridge the gap between the current bomber fleet and a next-generation aircraft planned for 2037. The present timetable calls for a development effort to start in 2006, with an initial operating capability by 2015.

GUY NORRIS / LOS ANGELES
</i>

Sweet...I loved the YF-23...she just looked so damn cool....

<img src="http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v70/prkiii/70th.jpg" border=0><img src="http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v70/prkiii/Mav_shot.jpg" border=0><img src="http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v70/prkiii/25.jpg" border=0>

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God that was a beautiful plane.

Two points wasn't the yf-23 faster, and more stealthy? Not to mention it looked alot bigger with more internal capcity to carry bombs.

Beautiful...

<img src="http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v70/prkiii/yf235.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v70/prkiii/yf23-1.jpg" border=0>
<img src="http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v70/prkiii/yf-23-headl.jpg" border=0>

<img src="http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v70/prkiii/70th.jpg" border=0><img src="http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v70/prkiii/Mav_shot.jpg" border=0><img src="http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v70/prkiii/25.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - prkiii on Jul 15 2004 08:30 AM

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The YF-23 was a super cool looking plane, but the F-22 was the right choice.

As a F-111 type bomber, the YF-23 would have some real merit.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction"

Ronald Reagan

Looks wise, I always favored the F-22.
It was a little more traditional looking, guess that's just me.

A look at the YF-23 in profile is something less than beautiful. Compared to the YF-22 the 23 had no TV ability, as an enlarged striker that wouldent be important and the 23 should definatly be stealthier. The weapons bay behind the cockpit could be extended much farther to the rear.

"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us". George Orwell

Fighting For Justice With Brains Of Steel !
<img src="http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/atengun2X.GIF" border=0>

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<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Why can't they just build more B-2's? <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>I believe it's because they cost like a billion apiece.

"Some pup"
Nickname by Fenderstrat72

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Evil is evil, no matter how small.

The idea is for a FAST bomber.

The B-2 is many, many things...but fast is not one of them.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction"

Ronald Reagan

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> A look at the YF-23 in profile is something less than beautiful. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>Bah, we need another ugly plane in the inventory. That way you don't need to go slow to go ugly.

"Some pup"
Nickname by Fenderstrat72

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Evil is evil, no matter how small.