YF-23 Black Widow II
United States Air Force (USAF)

Operator: Northrop / McDonnell Douglas
Date: 1990
Loadout: Test & Evaluation
- Internal Bays: Closed

Personal Interest: The YF-23 Black Widow II was Northrop’s entry in the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, competing head-to-head with the YF-22 to define the next generation of air superiority. The YF-23 featured an innovative stealth-focused design, high-speed capability, and low infrared signature. Though ultimately not selected for production, its advanced engineering and bold design choices left a lasting impression on the future of fighter development. The YF-23 stands out in my collection as a reminder of how competition drives innovation—and how even unselected prototypes can shape the evolution of modern air combat.

Model Specifications: This model represents the first of two YF-23 prototypes (87-800), including the legendary black widow marking that was carried underneath the aircraft for a short time.