YF-23A at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force:

🚀 YF-23A at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force: A Stealth Legend Unveiled! ✈️🖤 Deep in the halls of Dayton’s National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23A “Black Widow II” rests as a silent titan—a cutting-edge stealth fighter that nearly won the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter competition in the 1990s. Though it lost to the F-22 Raptor, its legacy as an engineering marvel endures. Here’s why it’s a must-see for aviation buffs and history lovers! 🌟 Key Features of the YF-23A • Stealth Design: • Diamond-shaped wings and V-tail reduce radar signature—sleeker and more angular than the F-22. • Weapons bays hidden internally to maintain stealth during combat. • Speed & Altitude: • Capable of Mach 2.2+ and supercruise (supersonic without afterburners). • Designed to operate at altitudes exceeding 65,000 feet. • Prototype Power: • First prototype (PAV-1): Used Pratt & Whitney YF119 engines. • Second prototype (PAV-2): Used General Electric YF120 engines. 🏛️ Exhibit Details • Location: Research & Development Gallery (Gallery 4) at the NMUSAF. • Display: Suspended mid-air alongside other experimental aircraft like the XB-70 Valkyrie. • Context: Placards explain the ATF competition, design choices, and why the YF-22 was selected. 📸 Why It’s Photogenic • Gothic Elegance: All-black paint, sharp angles, and a menacing stance—like a stealth bat! • Rare Bird: Only two YF-23s were ever built—this one (PAV-1) is the sole survivor on public display. • Lighting: Spotlit against a dark backdrop, creating a dramatic, almost cinematic effect. 💡 Behind the Competition • ATF Showdown: • YF-23 focused on stealth and speed. • YF-22 (winner) prioritized maneuverability and dogfighting. • Legacy: Though never produced, the YF-23 influenced future stealth designs—including the B-2 and F-35. 🗺️ Visit Practicalities • Museum Address: 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, OH 45433 (1 hour north of Cincinnati). • Hours: 9 AM–5 PM daily (free admission!). • Pro Tip: Join a guided tour (offered daily) to hear untold stories about the YF-23’s test flights. 🧭 Nearby Must-Sees • XB-70 Valkyrie: Mach 3 bomber with folding wingtips. • Presidential Planes: JFK’s Air Force One and Eisenhower’s Columbine III. • Space Gallery: Apollo capsules, moon rocks, and ISS modules. The YF-23A isn’t just a plane—it’s a “what if” of aviation history, a symbol of ambition and innovation that pushed the boundaries of stealth technology. Stand beneath its wings and imagine the skies it might have ruled! #StealthFighter #AirForceMuseum #AviationHistory #DaytonOhio #MilitaryTech