Lockheed YF-22
| YF-22 "Lightning II" | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Role | Prototype fighter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Corporation / Boeing /General Dynamics |
| First flight | 29 September 1990 |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Developed into | Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor |
The Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics YF-22 was a prototype fighter aircraft designed for the United States Air Force. The YF-22 was a finalist in the United States Air Force'sAdvanced Tactical Fighter competition, and examples were built. The YF-22 won the contest against the Northrop YF-23, and entered production as the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. The YF-22 is similar to the F-22, but with differences in the cockpit, tail fins and wings.
[edit]Design and development
The USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program was conceived in the early 1980s, to provide a replacement for the F-15 Eagle.[1] The Air Force issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the fighter in September 1985, then modified the RFP to include flying prototypes in the final selection.[2] Proposals were submitted by Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed,Northrop, and McDonnell Douglas in July 1986.[3] Lockheed and Northrop were selected in October 1986 for the demonstration phase, ending in a flyoff of prototypes. The companies had previously agreed to form the Lockheed/ General Dynamics/Boeing team and Northrop/McDonnell Douglas team.[4]
The Lockheed team designed the YF-22 and the Northrop team designed the YF-23. Two examples of each prototype were built for the Demonstration-Validation phase: one withGeneral Electric YF120 engines, the other with Pratt & Whitney YF119 engines.[5][6]
The YF-22 was given the unofficial name "Lightning II", after the World War II fighter P-38, by Lockheed, which persisted until the mid-1990s when the USAF officially named the aircraft "Raptor".[7] The F-35 later received the Lightning II name in 2006.[8]
The YF-22 first flew on 29 September 1990.[9] Flight testing began afterwards and added the second aircraft for each competitor in late October 1990.[10] The YF-22 with GE engines achieved Mach 1.58 in supercruise.[11] Flight testing continued until December 1990. Following flight testing, the contractor teams submitted proposals for ATF production.[10]
[edit]Aircraft on display
- YF-22 Raptor, s/n 87-0700, is on display at the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum, Edwards Air Force Base, California.[12]
- YF-22 Raptor, s/n 87-0701 was being used as a promotional aid during the major festival to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the USAF held at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Its current status is unknown.
[edit]Specifications (YF-22)
Note some specifications are estimated.
