Forget the F-22: How Fast Was the YF-23 Black Widow II Stealth Fighter?

Forget the F-22: How Fast Was the YF-23 Black Widow II Stealth Fighter?

Key Points and Summary – The Northrop YF-23 “Black Widow,” the prototype that lost to the F-22 Raptor, was an incredibly fast aircraft. With a top speed of Mach 2.2+ and a supercruise speed of Mach 1.6, its performance was a testament to its cutting-edge Pratt & Whitney and General Electric engines. -While it never entered production, the YF-23’s unique diamond-wing design and ability to maintain stealth at supercruise speeds were revolutionary.…