By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization
(Washington D.C.) During the height of high-speed Cold War competition with the Soviet Union in the 1980s, the US Air Force was working intensely to find and build a new Advanced Tactical Fighter to rival or outmatch the Su-27. Upon reflection, some might wonder why the “stealthier” option was not chosen among the two competing finalists, which were the Northrop Grumman YF-23 and the Lockheed Martin F-22.
YF-23 & F-22
Of course the F-22 was chosen, after prototypes of each were built and the Air Force conducted multiple assessments. Although potentially stealthier than the F-22 according to some observers, and better with thrust-to-weight ratio calculations, the YF-23 prototypes now sit in a museum. A look at specs of each compiled by Bill Sweetman in 1991’s “YF-22 and YF-23 Advanced Tactical Fighters,” shows that indeed the YF-23 does have a superior thrust to weight ratio listed quite high at 1.36. The F-22s ratio, however, is much lower at 1.08, according to data compiled. Simply put, thrust-to-weight ratio relates to acceleration, meaning the “bursts” with which it can take-off and maneuver in flight as needed.
Video Above: Air Force Scientists Expand AI-Enabled Data Sharing Between Bombs “In Flight”
Thrust to weight ratio would seem to determine the ability to which a fighter-jet can “thrust” into position, avoid incoming fire, and surge to lethal contact with an enemy. Both of the YF-23 and YF-22 are listed as similar speeds of Mach 2.25, however the F-22 shows superior supercruise speed at Mach 1.8 compared with the YF-23s 1.6. Speed at supercruise would prove extremely critical as it enables more dwell time over targets and an ability to maneuver for longer periods of time without afterburner. A few articles on the two aircraft claim that, despite the thrust-to-weight ratio difference, the F-22 was more agile and maneuverable. It would indeed be interesting to take a close look at data from the tests, however the F-22 has been highlighted for its agility and air-to-air maneuverability. These F-22 traits may well have been a large factor in why the F-22 was ultimately chosen.
However, despite the claims by some that the YF-23 is stealthier, a close look at the airframes certainly invites questions regarding stealth. The extent of heat signature thermal management, radar absorbent coating materials, internal weapons bay and hard-points configuration and an internally buried engine might prove difficult to discern, so perhaps the stealthier aircraft was only truly determined through detailed testing and assessments. At the same time, a look at the airframes suggests that indeed the F-22 is stealthier. The F-22 has a more blended horizontal wing-body fuselage, whereas the dual-engine exhaust on the YF-23 looks more angular and jagged with two protruding or elevated engine exhaust streams.
History may have yet to determine which aircraft ultimately performed better, as the decision likely included extensive assessments of many variables, yet the F-22 has come to be regarded by observers and proponents as the most dominant air-supremacy platform ever to exist.
Kris Osborn is the Military Affairs Editor of 19FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
