Northrop YF-17 Cobra
Specs, top speed, range and facts
The Northrop YF-17 Cobra is a lightweight fighter prototype built by Northrop in the USA. It first flew in 1974, but it never entered regular service. A small twin-engine fighter that turns hard and is easy to fly.
Photo: Northrop YF-17 on Wikipedia (free licence)
- Top speed2,120 km/h (1,317 mph)
- Range4,500 km (2,796 miles)
- First flight1974
- Wingspan10.7 m (35 ft)
Northrop YF-17 Cobra specs
| Top speed | 2,120 km/h (1,317 mph) · Mach 2.00Sources give about Mach 1.95 to Mach 2. |
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| Range | 4,500 km (2,796 miles)Ferry range. |
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| Length | 17.1 m (56 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 10.7 m (35 ft) |
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| Height | 4.4 m (15 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 14 t (30,644 lb)Sources differ. |
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| Crew and capacity | 1 pilot |
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| Engines | 2 × General Electric YJ101 afterburning engine |
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| First flight | 1974 |
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| Entered service | Never entered regular service |
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| Built by | Northrop (USA) |
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Northrop YF-17 Cobra facts
- It lost the Air Force lightweight fighter contest to the YF-16 in January 1975.
- The Navy then chose a bigger version of it, which became the F/A-18 Hornet.
Quick quiz
When did the Northrop YF-17 Cobra first fly?
In 1974.
Who built the Northrop YF-17 Cobra?
Northrop, in the USA.
How fast can the Northrop YF-17 Cobra fly?
Its top speed is 2,120 km/h (1,317 mph) · Mach 2.00.
How far can the Northrop YF-17 Cobra fly?
About 4,500 km (2,796 miles).
Photos, a true-scale silhouette, quizzes, flashcards, the Size Lab and the Sky Run game.
Northrop YF-17 Cobra vs similar aircraft
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