YF-22A Lightning II
United States Air Force (USAF)

Operator: Lockheed / Boeing / General Dynamics
Date: 1990
Loadout: Test & Evaluation
- Internal Bays: Closed

Personal Interest: The YF-22 Lightning II was the prototype that led to the development of the F-22 Raptor, the world’s first fifth-generation air superiority fighter. Competing in the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program of the early 1990s, the YF-22 demonstrated a powerful blend of stealth, supercruise, agility, and integrated avionics. Its successful flight tests secured its selection over the YF-23, setting the stage for a new era of air dominance. Watching the evolution of air combat capabilities through aircraft like the YF-22 fueled my fascination with how technology shapes the future of aerial warfare.

Model Specifications: This model represents the single YF-22 prototype (N22YF).