Is the YF-23 a stealth fighter?

YF-23 stealth fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons. Key Points: The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is celebrated as the ultimate air superiority fighter, but the 1990s competition with Northrop’s YF-23 told a complex story. -Both jets excelled in stealth, speed, and combat capabilities, but perception and trust swayed the U.S. Air Force’s decision.

When did the YF-23A become a fighter?

(U.S. Air Force photo by Ty Greenlees) The YF-23A competed in the late 1980s/early 1990s against the YF-22A in the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program. During the late 1970s, a new generation of Soviet fighters and Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) prompted the US Air Force to find a replacement for the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter.

Was the YF-22 better than The F-23?

In fact, the Raptor ended up with the radar that was originally proposed for the YF-23. Ultimately, the Air Force ended up with an excellent plane with the Raptor—but both the YF-22 and YF-23 were outstanding designs. Had Northrop won the competition, the F-23 might have been a better overall performer, but it would have likely been more expensive.