YF-23 Black Widow II
Specs, top speed, range and facts
The YF-23 Black Widow II is a stealth fighter prototype built by Northrop / McDonnell Douglas in the USA. It first flew in 1990, but it never entered regular service. Push stealth and supersonic speed even further than the rival YF-22.
Photo: Northrop YF-23 on Wikipedia (free licence)
- Top speed2,335 km/h (1,451 mph)
- Range4,500 km (2,796 miles)
- First flight1990
- Wingspan13.3 m (44 ft)
YF-23 Black Widow II specs
| Top speed | 2,335 km/h (1,451 mph) · Mach 2.20Prototype; published figures are estimates. |
|---|
| Range | 4,500 km (2,796 miles) |
|---|
| Length | 20.6 m (68 ft) |
|---|
| Wingspan | 13.3 m (44 ft) |
|---|
| Max takeoff weight | 29 t (63,933 lb) |
|---|
| Crew and capacity | 1 pilot |
|---|
| Engines | 2 × prototype turbofan |
|---|
| First flight | 1990 |
|---|
| Entered service | Never entered regular service |
|---|
| Built by | Northrop / McDonnell Douglas (USA) |
|---|
YF-23 Black Widow II facts
- It lost the advanced fighter contest to the design that became the F-22.
- Only two were built, nicknamed Black Widow II and Gray Ghost.
Quick quiz
When did the YF-23 Black Widow II first fly?
In 1990.
Who built the YF-23 Black Widow II?
Northrop / McDonnell Douglas, in the USA.
How fast can the YF-23 Black Widow II fly?
Its top speed is 2,335 km/h (1,451 mph) · Mach 2.20.
How far can the YF-23 Black Widow II fly?
About 4,500 km (2,796 miles).
Photos, a true-scale silhouette, quizzes, flashcards, the Size Lab and the Sky Run game.
YF-23 Black Widow II vs similar aircraft
More rare aircraft and prototypes
All rare aircraft and prototypes · All aircraft