FSD YF 23 BLACK WIDOW [FSX]

toto117

Operating System:
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 10

Use of this product in any other version of Windows is not supported at this time.

Processor:
Intel i5 or AMD equivalent 2.6 Ghz or higher

Memory:
4 GB RAM

Graphics:
DirectX®9 compliant video card
1 GB video RAM or higher

Hard Drive Space:
1 GB available space

Supported Platforms:
FSX Acceleration
FSX: Steam Edition

In the late 1970's, US officials were becoming increasingly concerned after reconnaissance satellites began spotting the first advanced Soviet fighter prototypes of the Su-27 and the MiG-29. It was widely thought that these new aircraft were about to negate or reduce the previously enjoyed manoeuvrability advantage of current US fighter aircraft. By the 1981, the US Air Force began exploring possible features for an Advanced Tactical Fighter that would eventually replace the F-15 Eagle. A decision was made that this new fighter aircraft would focus primarily on an air-to-air combat role, and would utilize emerging composite and stealth technologies.

In July 1986, after proposals by five different defence contractors, both Lockheed and Northrop were selected as finalists and given a little over four years to build and test their prototypes, respectively the YF-22 and the YF-23.

An unconventional-looking aircraft, with diamond-shaped wings, a cockpit placed high for good pilot visibility, and an all-moving V-tail, the YF-23 was designed to meet the prototype requirements for supercruise, stealth, survivability and ease of maintenance. Powered by two turbofan engines with each in a separate engine nacelle, numerous stealth technologies were employed, such as S-ducts to shield engine axial compressors from radar waves, and engine exhaust routed through troughs lined with heat-ablating tiles to dissipate heat and shield the engines from infrared homing missile detection.

Interestingly enough, despite the novel appearance of the YF-23, a number of readily available components were used to save on project costs, such as parts from the F/A-18 main landing gear, a F-15 nose wheel, and forward cockpit components from the F-15E.

Two YF-23 airframes were produced: PAV-1, equipped with P&W YF-119 turbofans and painted charcoal grey, was nicknamed 'Spider' and 'Black Widow'. At one point, it featured a red hourglass marking which resembled it's namesake black widow spider, before Northrop management had the marking removed. PAV-2, equipped with General Electric YF120 turbofans, was painted in two shades of grey and nicknamed the 'Grey Ghost'.

During evaluation, the YF-23 tests demonstrated Northrop's predicted performance values. Although maximum top speeds remain classified to this day, sources suggest a maximum speed greater than Mach 2 at altitude and a supercruise speed greater than Mach 1.6. From September 1990 to December 1990, the pair of YF-23 aircraft flew over 50 flights for a combined airtime of 65.2 hours. Ultimately, although the YF-23 had a slight edge in speed and stealth, the competition in the form of the YF-22 was deemed to be more agile and won the competition, entering production as the F-22 Raptor.

Both YF-23 aircraft are found today as museum displays, with PAV-1 displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force near Dayton, Ohio, and PAV-2 currently located at the Western Museum of Flight in Torrance, California.