Lockheed Martin YF-23

20 Feb 2026 · © Unknown

Visible here is a museum-displayed YF-23, illustrating its sleek stealth profile and twin-tail configuration. The display emphasizes its pivotal role in modern air combat evolution.

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General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon

Aircraft

YF-23 YF23

USAF grey stealth livery

Airline

United States Air Force

Manufacturer

Lockheed Martin

Insights

Aviation History

First operational fifth-generation stealth air superiority fighter; regarded as the most advanced air dominance fighter ever built.

Fleet Rarity

Less than 190 airframes built; only ~120 active as of 2024.

Record Flights

Flew as part of the first operational combat missions flown by the F-22 during Operation Inherent Resolve (2014).

Safety & Events

No F-22s have been lost in combat; several have crashed in training or routine operations. Notably, the F-22 was grounded fleet-wide for oxygen system issues in the early 2010s.

Future Outlook

To be gradually replaced by the NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) fighter; preserved examples in major aviation museums.

Specifications

Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100

Engine

13.56 meters

Wingspan

18.9 meters

Length

3,000 km (with 2 drop tanks; ferry range)

Range

1,960 km/h (supercruise Mach 1.82)

Speed

1 (pilot only)

Capacity

38,000 kg

MTOW

5.08 meters

Height

156 kN (35,000 lbf) with afterburner (each engine)

Thrust

Classified (stealth jet; details not publicly available, but meets US military standards for combat aircraft)

Noise

Exact serial number not visible, so some details may be museum-exhibit generic rather than frame-specific.