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Lockheed YF-22
Lockheed YF-22
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The Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics YF-22 is an American single-seat, twin-engine, stealth fighter prototype/technology demonstrator designed for the United States Air Force (USAF). The design team, with Lockheed as the prime contractor, was a finalist in the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition, and two prototypes were built for the demonstration/validation phase. The YF-22 team won the contest against the YF-23 team for full-scale development and the design was developed into the Lockheed Martin F-22.[N 1] The YF-22 has a similar aerodynamic layout and configuration as the F-22, but with notable differences in the overall shaping such as the position and design of the cockpit, tail fins and wings, and in internal structural layout.

Key Information

In the 1980s, the USAF began looking for a replacement for its fighter aircraft to counter emerging threats such as the advanced Soviet Su-27 and MiG-29. A number of companies submitted their proposals, with the competition narrowing down to Lockheed and Northrop as the two finalists for demonstration/validation. Northrop teamed with McDonnell Douglas to develop the YF-23; Lockheed teamed with Boeing and General Dynamics to develop the YF-22, which, although marginally slower and having a larger radar cross-section, was more agile than the YF-23. The Lockheed team was picked by the Air Force as the winner of the ATF competition in April 1991. The U.S. Navy considered adopting a naval version of the ATF, but these plans were later canceled due to cost.

Following the selection, the first prototype was retired as an exhibit at the Air Force Flight Test Museum, while the second continued flight testing until an accident relegated it to the role of an antenna test vehicle and it was later stored.

Development

[edit]

Concept definition

[edit]

In 1981, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) began exploring concepts and developing requirements for an Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) that would eventually become a new air superiority fighter to replace the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. This was made more crucial by the emerging worldwide threats, including development and proliferation of Soviet MiG-29 "Fulcrum" and Su-27 "Flanker"-class fighter aircraft, A-50 "Mainstay" airborne warning and control system (AWACS), and more advanced surface-to-air missile systems. The ATF would take advantage of the new technologies in fighter design on the horizon including composite materials, lightweight alloys, advanced avionics and flight-control systems, more powerful propulsion systems and stealth technology.[1]

Diagram of several designs submitted for ATF RFI. Note Lockheed's large CL-2016 design with inspiration from the SR-71 family.

The USAF sent out the ATF request for information (RFI) to the aerospace industry in May 1981 to explore what the future fighter aircraft could look like, and subsequently established a Concept Development Team (CDT) to analyze the results.[2] Eventually code-named "Senior Sky", the ATF at this time was still in the midst of requirements definition with both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions in consideration, and consequently there was substantial variety in the responses from the industry. Lockheed's initial concept was a particularly large aircraft called CL-2016, nicknamed "battlecruiser" for its size, that resembled its SR-71/YF-12 with large delta wings and engines mounted in nacelles spaced away from the fuselage and would have had similarly high operating speed and altitude as a missile platform (or "missileer" per Lockheed).[3][4]

In 1983, the ATF Concept Development Team became the System Program Office (SPO) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. After discussions with aerospace companies and Tactical Air Command (TAC), the CDT/SPO narrowed the requirements to an air superiority fighter with outstanding kinematic performance in speed and maneuverability to replace the F-15.[5] Additionally, the SPO began to increasingly emphasize stealth for survivability, while still requiring fighter-like speed and maneuverability, due to the Air Force's experience from "black world" projects such as the Have Blue/F-117 ("Senior Trend") and the Advanced Technology Bomber (ATB) program (which would result in the B-2, or "Senior Ice").[6] With stealth becoming a core requirement, Lockheed's design team, led by Bart Osborne from its Skunk Works division at Burbank, California, migrated away from its initial SR-71-like "battlecruiser" concept and instead began drafting a design that resembled the company's F-117. However, the faceted shape, resulting from Lockheed using the same "Echo" computer program that it had used to design the F-117, gave the design very poor aerodynamic performance that would be unsuitable for a fighter. Lockheed would perform poorly throughout the concept exploration phase, placing among the bottom of the competing contractors.[3]

Demonstration and validation

[edit]
Early Lockheed ATF concept with faceted shape for stealth

By November 1984, the SPO had further narrowed the requirements and released the Statement of Operational Need (SON), with requirements calling for a 50,000 lb (22,700 kg) takeoff weight fighter that places strong emphasis on stealth, maneuver, and supersonic cruise without afterburners, or supercruise; mission radius was expected to be 500 nautical miles (580 mi; 930 km) mixed subsonic/supersonic or 700–800 nautical miles (806–921 mi; 1,300–1,480 km) subsonic.[7] In September 1985, the Air Force sent out technical request for proposals (RFP) to a number of aircraft manufacturing teams for demonstration and validation (Dem/Val). In addition to the ATF's demanding technical requirements, Dem/Val also placed a great deal of importance on systems engineering, technology development plans, and risk mitigation. The top four proposals, later reduced to two to reduce program costs, would proceed with Dem/Val as finalists; there was initially no requirement for prototype air vehicles. At the time, the Air Force anticipated procuring 750 ATFs at a unit flyaway cost of $35 million in fiscal year (FY) 1985 dollars (~$86.4 million in 2024).[3][7][8] Furthermore, under Congressional pressure to combine efforts with the Air Force to reduce costs, the U.S. Navy joined the ATF program initially as an observer and eventually announced in 1988 that it would use a variant/derivative of the winning design to replace its F-14 Tomcat as the Navy Advanced Tactical Fighter (NATF); the service called for the procurement of 546 aircraft.[9]

Lockheed's submission for Dem/Val RFP, designated Configuration 090P

Having performed poorly during ATF concept exploration while also losing the ATB to Northrop who had a curved surface design, Lockheed abandoned faceting in 1984 and began incorporating curved shapes and surfaces. Although its analytical tools were initially not able to calculate for such shapes, good empirical results from radar range testing at Helendale, California, gave Lockheed confidence in designing a stealthy aircraft with smooth, curved surfaces, thus greatly improving its aerodynamic characteristics. As Lockheed gradually became able to analyze curved shapes,[N 2] the final design submitted for Dem/Val, designated Configuration 090P, would have an arrowhead-like forward fuselage shape, swept trapezoidal wings, four empennage tail surfaces, S-shaped inlet ducts obscuring the engine face, and an internal rotary missile launcher.[3] In addition to the change in aircraft design, Lockheed also shifted much more engineering talent and manpower to its ATF effort, appointing Sherman Mullin as the program manager, and had its draft proposals aggressively red-teamed by a group led by retired Air Force general Alton D. Slay.[10] The resulting proposal improvements were substantial, particularly the systems engineering volume.[11]

The ATF RFP would see some alterations after its first release; the SPO drastically increased all-aspect stealth requirements in December 1985 after discussions with Lockheed and Northrop regarding their experiences with the Have Blue/F-117 and ATB/B-2, and the requirement for flying technology demonstrator prototypes was added in May 1986 due to recommendations from the Packard Commission, a federal commission by President Ronald Reagan to study Department of Defense procurement practices.[12][13] Seven companies submitted bids in July 1986.[N 3] Owing to the immense investments companies were expected to make on their own, teaming was encouraged by the SPO. Following proposal submissions, Lockheed, Boeing, and General Dynamics formed a team to develop whichever of their proposed designs was selected, if any. Northrop and McDonnell Douglas formed a team with a similar agreement.[15]

On 31 October 1986, Lockheed and Northrop, the two industry leaders in stealth aircraft, were selected as the first and second place respectively; Sherman Mullin would credit the Lockheed's top rank to their proposal's system engineering volume, an area other contractors had not emphasized. The two teams, Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics and Northrop/McDonnell Douglas, were awarded $691 million contracts in FY 1985 dollars (~$1.71 billion in 2024) and would undertake a 50-month demonstration and validation phase, culminating in the flight test of the two teams' prototypes, the YF-22 and the YF-23; Pratt & Whitney and General Electric had earlier been awarded contracts to develop the competing prototype propulsion systems with the designations YF119 and YF120 respectively.[16][17][18] Because the requirement for flying prototypes was a late addition due to political pressure, the prototypes were to be "best-effort" vehicles not meant to perform a competitive flyoff or represent a production aircraft, but to demonstrate the viability of its concept and to mitigate risk.[N 4][20]

Design evolution

[edit]
From top to bottom, ATF Dem/Val submissions from Lockheed, Boeing, and General Dynamics (not to scale)

Work would be divided roughly equally among the team.[N 5] Because Lockheed's submission was selected as one of the winners, the company assumed leadership of the program partners. It would be responsible for the forward fuselage, cockpit, and stealthy edge treatments at Burbank as well as final assembly at Palmdale, California. Meanwhile, the wings and aft fuselage would be built by Boeing at Seattle, Washington, and the center fuselage, weapons bays, tail and landing gear would be built by General Dynamics at Fort Worth, Texas.[22] The team would also invest $675 million (~$1.54 billion in 2024) combined into their ATF effort during Dem/Val in addition to the government contract awards.[23] The partners brought their design experience and proposals with them. Boeing's design was large and long with a chin-mounted inlet, trapezoid wings, V-tail empennage surfaces (deemed sufficient due to the high operating speed), and palletized internal weapons. General Dynamics' design was smaller with fuselage and delta wings optimized for maneuver and supercruise, shoulder-mounted inlets, a large single vertical tail as the only empennage surface which compromised all-aspect stealth, and weapon bays in the center fuselage. However, much of the team's scrutiny fell on Lockheed's Configuration 090P, which was problematic due to being highly immature as a result of Lockheed's greater focus on systems engineering rather than a point design. Nevertheless, 090P was the initial starting point that the team worked to refine.[24]

Throughout Dem/Val, the SPO held System Requirement Reviews (SRR) with contractor teams and used the results of their performance and cost trade studies to develop the ATF system specifications and adjust or delete requirements that were significant weight and cost drivers while having marginal value.[25] For instance, the requirement for eight internal missiles (represented by the baseline AIM-120A)[N 6] was reduced to six. The team continually refined the design, making extensive use of analytical and empirical methods such as wind tunnel testing (18,000 hours by the end of Dem/Val), pole testing at radar ranges, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computer-aided design (CAD) software. By early 1987, the design had evolved into Configuration 095, which replaced the rotary launcher with a flatter weapons bay to reduce volume and drag, and the shapes of the forward fuselage and leading-edge root extensions were recontoured to reduce their planform area, preventing uncontrollable pitch-up moments. Around this time, the design had split into two families, the 500 prefix that represents the full system design – or Preferred System Concept (PSC) — to be carried forward for full-scale development and the 1000 prefix that represents the same external airfame shape but designed to be built as prototype air vehicles instrumented for flight testing; Configuration 095 thus became 595 and 1095 respectively.[24]

From top to bottom, Configuration 595/1095, 614/1114, 632/1132 (YF-22 design), and 645 (EMD/production F-22 design)

By mid-1987, detailed weight analysis of Configuration 595/1095 revealed that it was overweight by 9,000 lb (4,100 kg) even if it could still nominally meet maneuver parameters.[24] With weight likely to increase and compromises not forthcoming, the team chose to completely start over with a new design in July 1987, with Lockheed bringing a new director of design engineering, Richard Cantrell.[N 7][28] Various different layouts were explored and after an intensive three-month effort, the team chose a new design, Configuration 614/1114, as the starting point in late 1987 with shoulder-mounted inlets and diamond-like delta wings similar to General Dynamics' design, and four empennage tail surfaces; notably, the diamond-like delta's aerodynamic characteristics approached the original swept trapezoidal profile's while offering much lower structural weight due to the longer root chord. The design evolved through the rest of 1987 and into May 1988, when Configuration 632/1132 was frozen as the YF-22. Changes include the shapes of the empennage surfaces to diamond-like and recontouring of the fore and aft fuselage to reduce wave drag following the deletion of the thrust reverser requirement after another SRR;[29][30] the prototype thrust vectoring nozzles still retained some thrust reversing hardware provisions however, resulting in the prototype aft fuselage being bulkier than needed. Ultimately, the 50,000-lb takeoff weight still proved to be unachievable for both the Lockheed and Northrop teams, and was adjusted to 60,000 lb (27,200 kg), resulting in engine thrust increasing from 30,000 lbf (133 kN) to 35,000 lbf (156 kN) class.[31] While the YF-22 configuration was frozen at an immature state relatively soon after the redesign to begin construction of the prototypes, the team continued evolving the configuration and PSC design into the F-22 for full-scale development.[24]

In addition to the advanced air vehicle and propulsion design, the ATF required an integrated avionics system for sensor fusion to increase the pilot's situational awareness and decrease workload; this demanded a leap in sensor and avionics capability. Avionics development was marked by extensive testing and prototyping and supported by ground and flying laboratories, with Boeing being responsible for avionics integration. As the YF-22 was a technology demonstrator for the airframe and engines, it would not have any of the mission systems avionics. Boeing would build the Avionics Ground Prototype (AGP) and also provide a Boeing 757 modified with the mission systems as a flying laboratory for avionics development; this aircraft would later be named the Flying Test Bed.[32][33] The SPO would similarly adjust avionics requirements as a result of SRRs with contractors. Side-looking radar and infrared search and track (IRST) were deleted from the baseline requirement and became provisions for potential future addition, and a $9 million cap in FY 1985 dollars (~$22.2 million in 2024) for avionics per aircraft was placed by the SPO in 1989 on the baseline proposal for full-scale development.[24]

Formally designated as the YF-22A, the first aircraft (PAV-1, serial number 87-0700, N22YF), with the GE YF120 engine,[34][35] was rolled out on 29 August 1990[22][36] and first flew on 29 September 1990, taking off from Palmdale piloted by David L. Ferguson.[22][37] The second YF-22A (PAV-2, s/n 87-0701, N22YX) with the P&W YF119 made its maiden flight on 30 October at the hands of chief test pilot Thomas A. Morgenfeld.[22] The aircraft was given the unofficial name "Lightning II" after Lockheed's World War II-era fighter, the P-38 Lightning, which persisted until the mid-1990s when the USAF officially named the production F-22 "Raptor".[38] The F-35 later received the "Lightning II" name in 2006.[39]

[edit]

Because the NATF, which was to replace the F-14 Tomcat for the U.S. Navy, required a lower landing speed than the ATF for aircraft carrier recovery while still attaining Mach 2-class speeds, the Lockheed team's NATF design group went through several configurations to arrive at a suitable design that would achieve acceptable characteristics for carrier operations. Boeing had advocated for a fixed-wing design while General Dynamics favored variable-sweep wings. After an internal competition and extensive wind tunnel testing, the team chose to incorporate variable-sweep wings in August 1989. The design retained the thrust vectoring nozzles and four tails.[40] The resulting aircraft would have been heavier, more complex, and more expensive than the Air Force ATF counterpart.[41] The Lockheed team would submit its NATF design along with its F-22 full-scale development proposal in December 1990, although the Navy would withdraw from the program shortly afterwards due to cost.[40]

Design

[edit]
The YF-22 design (Configuration 1132) with diamond-like delta wing planform and four tails

The YF-22 was a prototype air vehicle intended to demonstrate the viability of the ATF air vehicle and propulsion design, which was ultimately meant to meet USAF requirements for survivability, supercruise, stealth, and ease of maintenance.[42] The airframe has large diamond-like delta wings with leading edge swept back 48°, shoulder-mounted inlets, three internal weapons bays, and four empennage surfaces: canted vertical tails with rudders and all moving horizontal stabilizers. All major edges were aligned at a common set of angles for stealth. It had a tricycle landing gear, an aerial refueling receptacle centered on its spine, and an airbrake between the vertical tails.[43] The cockpit had a completely frameless bubble canopy. Compared with its Northrop/McDonnell Douglas counterpart, the YF-22 has a more conventional design – its wings have larger control surfaces, such as full-span leading edge,[44] and, whereas the YF-23 had two tail surfaces, the YF-22 had four, which made it more maneuverable than its counterpart.[45]

Two jet aircraft with outward-canted vertical stabilizers parked on an angle on ramp.
Both YF-22 aircraft on a taxiway at Edwards AFB

The YF-22 was powered by two engines, with the General Electric YF120 mounted on the first aircraft and the second with the Pratt & Whitney YF119.[1][46] The fixed-geometry caret engine inlets were spaced away from the forward fuselage to separate and bypass the boundary layer and generate oblique shocks with the upper inboard corner for efficient supersonic compression; the serpentine inlet ducts fully shield the engine faces from any exterior view. The two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles reduce the infrared signature by flattening the exhaust plume and facilitating its mixing with ambient air.[47][48] Chines run from the nose along the sides of the forward fuselage where they eventually meet the upper edge of the inlets; those then transition to sharp leading edge root extensions of the wings further aft. These produce vortices that improved high angle-of-attack characteristics. To reduce supersonic drag for supercruise, area rule was applied to the airframe shape and most of the fuselage volume lies ahead of the wing's trailing edge, although the late configuration redesign meant that the prototype shaping was immature and not quite refined.[29]

The aircraft had relaxed static stability and was controlled via fly-by-wire, integrated into the vehicle management system (VMS). The cockpit had a throttle and sidestick arrangement similar to the F-16 and simulated an operational fighter layout with a heads-up display (HUD), two 6 in × 6 in (15 cm × 15 cm) primary multifunction displays (MFD) and three 4 in × 6 in (10 cm × 15 cm) secondary MFDs. Some of the MFDs could be replaced by instrument panels as needed for specific flight test events. The prototype avionics incorporated a software-controlled stores management system (SMS) to test missile launching from internal weapons bays and its integration into the VMS; the weapons bays were also instrumented to measure vibration and acoustics.[49][50]

NATF-22

[edit]
A model of the Lockheed team's NATF design

The Lockheed team's design for the Navy Advanced Tactical Fighter (NATF), sometimes referred to as "NATF-22" or "F-22N" (the design was never formally designated), would have differed from the Air Force version in many ways. Because the NATF needed lower landing speeds than the F-22 for aircraft carrier operations while still attaining Mach 2-class speeds, the design would have incorporated variable-sweep wings; furthermore, the Navy placed greater emphasis on loiter time for fleet air defense rather than supercruise, so the variable-sweep wings also improved endurance.[40][41] The fuselage shaping was similar to the Air Force version, while the landing gears and arresting hook were strengthened for aircraft carrier landings; all of these changes would have resulted in a heavier, more complex, and more expensive aircraft. It retained four empennage surfaces and thrust vectoring nozzles, and the avionics would initially have been largely common with the F-22, although additional sensors and mission avionics had also been planned for maritime missions. The design would have had a similar weapons bay arrangement but with expanded weapons carriage, including the AIM-152 AAAM, AGM-88 HARM, and AGM-84 Harpoon.[51][52]

From left to right, PSC F-22, NATF-22, and subsequent Lockheed/Boeing A-X and A/F-X designs; the latter two drew heavily from the NATF-22.

While the Lockheed team would submit the NATF-22 design with its F-22 full-scale development proposal in December 1990, the Navy began backing out of the NATF program in late 1990 to early 1991 and fully abandoned NATF by FY 1992 due to escalating cost and thus the design never progressed beyond Dem/Val to full-scale development, or engineering and manufacturing development (EMD). Lockheed and Boeing would leverage aspects of the design, such as the variable-sweep wings and the shaping of the fuselage, for several concepts for the Navy's Advanced-Attack (A-X) program, which later became the Advanced Attack/Fighter (A/F-X) program with added fighter capability, the successor to the canceled A-12 Avenger II; however, A/F-X would also be canceled as a result of the 1993 Bottom-Up Review due to post-Cold War budget pressure.[53][54]

Operational history

[edit]

Evaluation

[edit]
Two different jet aircraft in flight towards right of screen.
The YF-22 (foreground) and YF-23 (background)

Testing began with the first flight of PAV-1 on 29 September 1990. During the 18-minute flight, PAV-1 reached a maximum speed of 250 knots (460 km/h; 290 mph) and a height of 12,500 feet (3,800 m), before landing at Edwards AFB.[35] Following the flight, test pilot Dave Ferguson said that the remainder of the YF-22 test program would be concentrated on "the manoeuvrability of the aeroplane, both supersonic and subsonic".[35]

During the flight test program, unlike the YF-23, weapon firings and high (60°) angle of attack (AoA, or high-alpha) flights were carried out on the YF-22.[55] Although not a program requirement, the aircraft fired AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles from internal weapon bays.[55][56] Flight testing also demonstrated that the YF-22 with its thrust vectoring nozzles achieved pitch rates more than double that of the F-16 at low-speed maneuvering as well as having excellent high angle-of-attack characteristics, with trimmed alpha of over 60° flown. The first prototype, PAV-1 with the General Electric engines, achieved Mach 1.58 in supercruise on 3 November 1990, while PAV-2 with the Pratt & Whitney engines reached a maximum supercruise speed of Mach 1.43 on 27 December 1990; maximum speed was in excess of Mach 2.0.[57][58] Flight testing continued until 28 December 1990, by which time 74 flights were completed and 91.6 airborne hours were accumulated.[18][59] Following flight testing, the contractor teams submitted proposals for ATF full-scale development, with the Lockheed team's PSC F-22 design being significantly refined and evolving to Configuration 638 for its submission.[60]

On 23 April 1991, the Lockheed team was announced by Secretary of the Air Force Donald Rice as the winner of the ATF competition. The Lockheed team was rated higher on technical aspects, was considered lower risk (the YF-22 flew considerably more hours and sorties than its counterpart), and was considered to have more effective program management.[61][62] Both designs met or exceeded all performance requirements; the YF-23 was stealthier and faster, but the YF-22 was more agile.[63] It was speculated in the aviation press that the Lockheed design was also seen as more adaptable to the Navy's NATF, but the Navy abandoned NATF by FY 1992.[55][64] Instead of being retired, as with the case of PAV-1, PAV-2 subsequently flew sorties following the competition – it amassed another 61.6 flying hours during 39 flights.[55] On 25 April 1992, the aircraft sustained serious damage during a go-around attempt as a result of pilot-induced oscillations. It was repaired but never flew again, and instead served as a static test vehicle thereafter.[65][66] In 1991, it was anticipated that 650 production F-22s would be procured.[67]

F-22 production

[edit]
F/A-22 Raptor test and training flight operations resumed here March 22 after a brief delay following a nose-gear-retraction incident in 2003.

As the Lockheed team won the ATF competition, it was awarded the full-scale development, or Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract in August 1991 initially worth about $11 billion (~$22.5 billion in 2024), which would ultimately allow it to proceed with production of operational aircraft. The EMD/production design would be further refined and evolve into Configuration 645.[24][68] The EMD initially called for seven single-seat F-22A and two twin-seat F-22Bs, although the latter was eventually canceled to save on development costs and the orders were converted to single-seaters. On 9 April 1997, the first of these, Spirit of America, was rolled out. During the ceremony, the F-22 was officially named "Raptor". Due to limited funding, the first flight, which had previously been scheduled for mid-1996, occurred on 7 September 1997.[65] Flight testing for the F-22 continued until 2005, and on 15 December 2005 the USAF announced that the Raptor had reached its initial operational capability (IOC); with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Department of Defense focused on counterinsurgency at that time, F-22 production only reached 195 aircraft — 187 of them operational models — and ended in 2011.[69][70]

In many respects, the YF-22s were different from EMD/production F-22s as the design progressed from relatively immature Configuration 632/1132 to the final Configuration 645. Contrary to the F-117 Nighthawk, which was initially difficult to control because of small vertical stabilizers, the YF-22 had its fin area over-specified by Lockheed. Therefore, the company reduced the size of those on F-22s by 20–30 percent. Lockheed and its partners recontoured the shape of the wing and stabilator trailing edges to improve aerodynamics, strength, and stealth characteristics; the wing and stabilitor sweep was reduced by 6° from 48°. The shapes of the radome and fuselage were changed to improve radar performance and aerodynamics. The dedicated airbrake was eliminated in favor of feathering control surfaces using the control laws. The systems arrangement and structural design were refined. Finally, to improve pilot visibility, the canopy was moved forward 7 inches (178 mm), and the engine inlets were moved rearward 14 inches (356 mm).[71][72][24]

Accidents

[edit]

In April 1992, the second YF-22 crashed on the runway while executing a landing go-around demonstration at Edwards AFB. The test pilot, Tom Morgenfeld, escaped without injury. The cause of the crash was found to be a flight control software error that failed to prevent a pilot-induced oscillation while performing a low altitude demonstration flight. The aircraft was superficially repaired but never flew again and was later used as an antenna test model. In light of this mishap, the F-22 flight control laws, the algorithms governing how control inputs translate into aircraft motions and reactions, were altered to better account for non-linear effects of control surface rate/position saturation and PIO triggering mechanisms.[73]

Surviving aircraft

[edit]
Starboard view of jet aircraft in museum among suspended aircraft and an American flag.
YF-22 on temporary display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force

Specifications (YF-22A)

[edit]
Lockheed YF-22 3-view diagram

Data from Miller,[76] Pace,[77] Baker,[78] Sweetman,[79] and Aronstein & Hirschberg[80] (note, some specifications are estimated)

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 64 ft 2 in (19.56 m)
  • Wingspan: 43 ft 0 in (13.1 m)
  • Height: 17 ft 8.9 in (5.41 m)
  • Wing area: 840 sq ft (78.04 m2)
  • Empty weight: 31,000 lb (14,061 kg) contractor weight (without engines)
  • Gross weight: 62,000 lb (28,123 kg) takeoff
  • Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney YF119-PW-100L or General Electric YF120-GE-100L afterburning turbofans, 23,500 lbf (105 kN) thrust each (YF120) dry, 30,000 or 35,000 lbf (130 or 160 kN) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: Mach 2.2, 1,452 mph (1,262 kn; 2,337 km/h) at altitude
  • Supercruise: Mach 1.58, 1,043 mph (906 kn; 1,679 km/h) at altitude (military power only)
  • Range: 2,000 nmi (2,300 mi, 3,700 km)
  • Combat range: 700–800 nmi (810–920 mi, 1,300–1,500 km)
  • Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (19,800 m)
  • g limits: +7.9 g (highest tested)
  • Wing loading: 73.8 lb/sq ft (360 kg/m2) (61.9 lb/sq ft at combat weight)
  • Thrust/weight: 1.13 (1.35 at combat weight)

Armament
Provisions made for:

See also

[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

  • Northrop YF-23 – Prototype demonstrator aircraft for the US Air Force Advanced Tactical Fighter program

Related lists

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Lockheed YF-22, also designated as the Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics YF-22, was an American single-seat, twin-engine prototype stealth fighter aircraft developed for the Air Force's (ATF) program during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It served as a technology demonstrator to validate key innovations for future air superiority, including low-observable stealth design, capability (sustained supersonic flight without afterburners), and high maneuverability enabled by two-dimensional thrust-vectoring nozzles on YF119-PW-100 engines. Two prototypes, known as Prototype Air Vehicles (PAV-1 and PAV-2), were constructed between 1989 and 1990 at Lockheed's Palmdale facility, with the first (PAV-1, serial 87-0700) unveiled on August 29, 1990, and making its maiden flight on September 29, 1990, piloted by Dave Ferguson from Palmdale to . The second prototype (PAV-2) followed with its first flight in October 1990. The YF-22 emerged from the ATF program's Demonstration/Validation phase, which began in 1986 following initial concept exploration in 1981, as part of a competition to replace the F-15 Eagle with a emphasizing stealth, integrated , and . Lockheed's team, partnering with for wings and aft fuselage and for the forward fuselage, was awarded the contract in November 1986 after submitting a that prioritized balanced over extreme stealth. Over 19,000 hours of wind-tunnel testing and extensive material evaluations informed its diamond-shaped wing planform, canted twin tails, and radar-absorbent composite structures, which reduced its radar cross-section while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency. The prototypes underwent rigorous flight testing at Edwards AFB, completing 74 test flights and accumulating 91.6 flight hours during the Demonstration/Validation phase by early 1991 to demonstrate supercruise at Mach 1.5+, post-stall maneuvers, and short takeoff/landing . On April 23, 1991, the USAF selected the YF-22 design over the competing Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 for full-scale and Manufacturing Development, citing its superior overall demonstrated capabilities in maneuverability, maintainability, and operational suitability despite the YF-23's slight edge in stealth. This decision launched the F-22 program, with the prototypes serving as precursors; PAV-1 was ferried to Lockheed's Marietta facility in June 1991 for use as an , while PAV-2 continued limited evaluation until it was damaged in a crash landing on April 25, 1992, and subsequently repaired for ground-based testing. The YF-22's innovations directly influenced the production F-22 Raptor's first flight in 1997 and operational debut in 2005, establishing benchmarks for stealth fighters that remain unmatched in air dominance roles. Today, PAV-1 is preserved at the Flight Test Museum at Edwards AFB, symbolizing a pivotal era in U.S. advancement.

Development

Origins and Concept Formation

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the U.S. Air Force faced growing concerns over its air superiority amid escalating tensions, as Soviet advancements in fighter aircraft challenged the dominance of American designs like the F-15 Eagle. The introduction of the Fulcrum and Flanker, both entering service in the mid-1980s, represented a significant leap in Soviet capabilities, offering comparable aerodynamic performance to U.S. fourth-generation fighters while incorporating advanced radar and missile systems that could neutralize NATO's technological edge in beyond-visual-range engagements. These threats, coupled with projections of even more advanced Soviet interceptors by the mid-1990s, underscored the need for a next-generation platform capable of maintaining U.S. control of the airspace in high-threat environments. To address this imperative, the formally established the (ATF) program in November 1981, with the explicit goal of developing a successor to the F-15 Eagle that would ensure air dominance through superior range, speed, and survivability. The program emerged from broader studies initiated in the late 1970s, focusing on integrating emerging technologies to counter numerical Soviet advantages with qualitative superiority. Early conceptualization emphasized air-to-air combat effectiveness against large-scale enemy formations, including standoff jamming and high-speed intercepts, while prioritizing operational requirements for sustained supersonic performance without afterburners—known as —and enhanced maneuverability. Lockheed's involvement began with internal studies at its division, led by Ben Rich, whose prior success with the Have Blue demonstrator in the late 1970s had validated practical stealth technologies through low-observable radar cross-section designs tested in flight. This foundation directly influenced Lockheed's ATF concepts, integrating stealth as a core survivability feature alongside and to enable undetected penetration of defended airspace. In response to the Air Force's in 1981, Lockheed proposed derivatives of high-speed designs like the YF-12A, evolving toward stealth-optimized configurations by the mid-1980s. The program's timeline accelerated with the issuance of a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) in July 1986, inviting industry teams to submit detailed designs for the demonstration/validation phase, with proposals due by October of that year. Lockheed, partnering with and , refined its concepts through 1988, iterating on blended wing-body shapes and engine integrations to balance stealth, speed, and agility while meeting criteria for a operational ; this phase culminated in the selection of two competing teams for prototype development.

Advanced Tactical Fighter Competition

In October 1986, the United States Air Force selected two industry teams to compete in the Demonstration/Validation phase of the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, following an initial concept exploration involving proposals from multiple aerospace companies. The Lockheed-led team, comprising Lockheed (prime contractor), Boeing, and General Dynamics, was chosen alongside the Northrop-led team, which included McDonnell Douglas as a key partner. These teams were tasked with developing and demonstrating prototype aircraft to meet the program's demanding requirements for air superiority in contested environments. The Lockheed team submitted its refined YF-22 concept proposal in 1988, emphasizing innovations such as integrated stealth shaping derived from earlier Have Blue experiments and two-dimensional thrust-vectoring nozzles to enhance post-stall maneuverability without compromising low-observability features. This design incorporated radar-absorbent materials and faceted airframe geometry to minimize radar cross-section, alongside engine technologies enabling efficient high-speed flight. Over the subsequent years, the teams advanced their demonstrators, with the YF-22 and YF-23 prototypes completing construction and beginning flight tests in 1990 after a downselection process that narrowed initial broad concepts from eight competing proposals to these two finalists. Evaluation criteria focused on critical performance attributes, including significant reduction in and signatures for stealth penetration of defended airspace, sustained capability at Mach 1.5+ without use to extend range and reduce detectability, and advanced to integrate data from , search-and-track, and electronic warfare systems for superior . These metrics were assessed through ground simulations, tests, and the 1990 flight demonstration program, where both prototypes accumulated over 100 flights to validate their designs against projected threats from advanced Soviet fighters like the MiG-29 and Su-27. On April 23, 1991, the selected the Lockheed YF-22 as the winner of the ATF competition, along with the YF119 engine. The Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract, valued at approximately $11 billion, was awarded on August 2, 1991, leading to production as the F-22 Raptor. This decision was based on the YF-22's balanced demonstration of maneuverability, stealth, and integration, outperforming the YF-23 in overall operational effectiveness despite the latter's edge in raw speed.

Prototype Construction

The construction of the two YF-22 prototypes, designated Prototype Air Vehicles (PAV-1 and PAV-2), began following the Lockheed// team's selection in the (ATF) program, with final assembly commencing at Lockheed's facility in January 1990. The effort involved a valued at $691 million, allocated for the design, fabrication, and ground testing of the demonstrators, including subsystems integration and extensive materials validation. This phase emphasized stealth-oriented manufacturing techniques, utilizing radar-absorbent materials (RAM) coatings and advanced composites to achieve low observability while maintaining structural integrity. Key innovations in the prototypes included the first implementation of integrated flight/propulsion controls (IFPC), which synchronized engine with for enhanced maneuverability, and fully digital systems that eliminated mechanical linkages for precise handling. The construction relied heavily on (approximately 39% by weight) for high-stress areas and graphite-epoxy composites (about 24% by weight) for lighter, radar-signature-reducing components, marking a significant advancement over prior fighters. These materials were subjected to over 13,000 sample tests to ensure durability under extreme conditions, with titanium-graphite laminates specifically developed to balance strength and weight. A major challenge during fabrication was achieving the program's weight targets, as initial ATF requirements aimed for a gross takeoff weight around 50,000 pounds, with the prototypes achieving an empty weight of approximately 31,000 pounds and gross weight of about 62,000 pounds through optimized composite layering and precise welding techniques. Engineers overcame this by iterating on composites, which allowed for a 20-30% weight savings in sections compared to traditional aluminum structures, without compromising stealth or performance margins. Assembly milestones progressed rapidly: PAV-1 entered final integration in January 1990, followed by PAV-2 in April, with the first prototype rolling out in a public unveiling ceremony on August 29, 1990, at Palmdale. The second prototype was unveiled in October 1990, completing the demonstrator build phase ahead of . Ground validation, including engine runs and systems checkouts, confirmed the prototypes' readiness, validating the $691 million investment in innovative manufacturing processes.

Initial Flight Testing

The initial flight testing of the Lockheed YF-22 prototypes, designated Prototype Air Vehicles (PAV-1 and PAV-2), commenced shortly after their rollout in mid-1990, following completion of prototype construction at Lockheed's Palmdale facility. PAV-1, powered by General Electric YF120 engines, achieved its maiden flight on September 29, 1990, piloted by Lockheed test pilot Dave Ferguson, who ferried the aircraft from Palmdale, California, to Edwards Air Force Base for further evaluation; the 18-minute flight confirmed basic airworthiness and control systems functionality. Preceding this, ground taxi tests had been conducted earlier in September to validate propulsion and systems integration. The primary objectives of the early test campaign focused on envelope expansion to verify the aircraft's limits, including speeds exceeding Mach 2, altitudes above 50,000 feet, and initial stealth validation through cross-section (RCS) measurements conducted during flight profiles to assess low-observability features. On October 25, 1990, PAV-1 reached supersonic speeds for the first time, advancing toward the full Mach 2 milestone achieved on December 28, 1990, during a high-speed dash that also pushed altitude boundaries. RCS data collection emphasized baseline signatures in various attitudes, confirming the effectiveness of the airframe's shaping and radar-absorbent materials without revealing classified specifics. PAV-2, equipped with Pratt & Whitney YF119 engines and incorporating two-dimensional thrust-vectoring nozzles for improved maneuverability, followed with its first flight on October 30, 1990, again from Palmdale to Edwards, piloted by Thomas Morgenfeld; this sortie prioritized propulsion integration and early handling qualities assessment. Thrust vectoring was demonstrated on PAV-1 on November 15, 1990, and on PAV-2 on December 1, 1990, enabling controlled pitch adjustments that enhanced stability at high angles of attack. By the end of the 1990 demonstration/validation phase on December 28, the two prototypes had completed 74 flights totaling 91.6 flight hours, with data emphasizing stability and control derivatives derived from high-angle-of-attack maneuvers reaching 60 degrees in December tests. Key milestones included the achievement of —sustained supersonic flight above Mach 1.5 without afterburners—first on PAV-1 on November 3, 1990, and on PAV-2 on November 23, 1990, validating fuel-efficient high-speed operations central to the design. These early efforts laid the groundwork for subsequent evaluations, accumulating additional flights through 1991-1992 before program transition.

Design Characteristics

Airframe and Stealth Features

The Lockheed YF-22 was designed with a focus on achieving low while supporting high-performance , measuring approximately 62 feet 1 inch (18.9 meters) in overall , 44 feet 6 inches (13.6 meters) in , and 16 feet 8 inches (5.1 meters) in height. Its planform, featuring leading-edge extensions and blended wing-body configuration, contributed to reduced reflectivity by minimizing sharp angles and promoting wave deflection. This was integral to the aircraft's stealth mandate during the program, prioritizing survivability in contested environments. Stealth was further enhanced through specific shaping elements, including precisely aligned edges along control surfaces and panels to prevent returns from corner reflections, serpentine inlet ducts that obscured the engine compressor faces from ground-based s, and canted vertical tail fins angled outward to scatter incoming waves away from the source. These features, validated through testing, achieved a low frontal cross-section (RCS), though higher than the production F-22's approximately 0.0001 square meters due to incomplete radar-absorbent material (RAM) coatings on the prototypes. The airframe's incorporated radar-absorbent materials integrated into the skin where possible, ensuring broadband signature reduction across X-band frequencies typical of air-defense s, but prototypes lacked the full RAM treatments applied later. Material composition emphasized durability and low observability, similar to the production F-22 with titanium alloys comprising 39% of the structure for high-temperature resistance in engine-adjacent areas, and composites accounting for 24% to provide lightweight radar-attenuating surfaces, though prototypes used more conventional materials to expedite construction. The canopy featured a thin metallic coating, including gold elements, to suppress infrared emissions and reflect radar energy without compromising pilot visibility. Aerodynamically, the design omitted forward canards to preserve a clean stealth profile, instead employing relaxed static stability managed by a digital fly-by-wire system for enhanced maneuverability and precise control during supersonic flight. In contrast to the production F-22, the YF-22 prototypes included internal weapons bays for stores testing, though full integration was deferred to focus on evaluation; external hardpoints were available for non-stealth assessments. This configuration allowed rapid iteration on shaping and integration while deferring weapons system maturation to later development.

Propulsion System

The Lockheed YF-22 prototypes were powered by different engines during testing: PAV-1 (serial 87-0700) used two YF120-GE-100 afterburning turbofans, while PAV-2 (serial 87-0701) used two YF119-PW-100 afterburning turbofans, each delivering up to 35,000 lbf (156 kN) of thrust with in an axial-flow configuration optimized for and stealth integration. These low-bypass engines provided a high , enabling the aircraft to achieve superior acceleration and maneuverability while minimizing detectability through efficient dry-thrust operation. A key feature of the propulsion system was its supercruise capability, allowing the YF-22 to sustain Mach 1.5 without afterburners during early flight tests, which conserved fuel and reduced the infrared signature by avoiding the high-heat exhaust associated with afterburner use. This performance was supported by the engines' advanced compressor and turbine designs, which maintained efficiency at supersonic speeds. The YF-22's second prototype (PAV-2) incorporated experimental pitch-axis thrust-vectoring nozzles with approximately ±20° deflection, enhancing post-stall controllability and enabling maneuvers at angles of attack up to 60°. These two-dimensional nozzles flattened the exhaust plume for better mixing with ambient air, further lowering the infrared signature. PAV-1 lacked thrust vectoring during initial tests. The system featured an internal capacity of 18,000 lb (8,200 kg), distributed across fuselage and tanks to balance the center of during flight. Conformal tanks were tested during development to extend range without compromising stealth, though they were not integrated into the prototypes. Engine testing validated reliability through the prototypes' 91.6 total flight hours across 74 sorties, with ground endurance trials demonstrating specific consumption of approximately 0.61 lb/lbf·h in dry conditions. The inlets, shaped for low observability, efficiently managed airflow to the engines during these evaluations.

Avionics and Cockpit

The Lockheed YF-22 prototypes incorporated an AN/APG-70-based radar for initial multifunctionality, including air-to-air search and track, while integrating with the aircraft's stealth features to maintain a low radar signature; the production AN/APG-77 AESA with approximately 1,200 transmit/receive (T/R) modules was developed later. The cockpit represented a significant advancement in human-machine interface, utilizing an all-glass display system with multiple liquid crystal panels to present fused sensor data directly to the pilot. Concepts for helmet-mounted cueing, voice-activated controls, distributed aperture sensors for 360-degree situational awareness, and infrared search and track (IRST) were explored but implemented in production F-22, with IRST/DAS upgrades as recent as 2025. Central to the avionics suite was an integrated central processor that performed , combining inputs from the and electronic warfare systems into a unified picture; full with IRST was validated later. This capability was tested during prototype flights to validate its role in minimizing cognitive overload during high-threat missions. The flight employed a quadruple-redundant digital architecture, enabling precise control in aerodynamically unstable flight regimes that optimized maneuverability and stealth. This redundancy ensured continued operation even with multiple channel failures, a critical feature for the YF-22's demanding demonstration profile. As prototypes focused on airframe and propulsion validation, the sensor systems did not incorporate full low-observable coatings, with signature impacts assessed through separate ground and flight tests to inform production refinements.

Armament Integration

The Lockheed YF-22 prototypes incorporated internal weapon bays for testing, primarily configured to carry beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles and short-range missiles. These bays were positioned in the fuselage, with the main bay accommodating up to six AIM-120s and side bays holding two AIM-9s, allowing launches without external protrusions that could increase radar detectability. The bay doors featured rapid-opening mechanisms and radar-absorbent materials to limit RCS exposure during the brief open interval, ensuring the aircraft retained low-observability characteristics essential for its role in the program. Live firings of AIM-120 and AIM-9 missiles from internal bays were successfully executed during flight tests in 1990-1991. To support non-stealth testing scenarios, the YF-22 design included four underwing external pylon stations, each rated for loads up to 5,000 pounds, enabling of conventional weapon configurations that would compromise stealth but expand payload options for comparative assessments. These pylons were not intended for operational use but facilitated ground and flight trials of diverse ordnance, including additional missiles or fuel tanks, during the phase. The design included provision for a single 20mm M61A2 Vulcan in a port-side fairing, with 480 rounds of ammunition, though not installed in the prototypes. The gun's installation in production employed serrated cowling edges and composite materials to align with the airframe's stealth profile, minimizing reflections from the barrel and muzzle while maintaining firing rates up to 6,000 rounds per minute in bursts. The YF-22's interfaced with its prototype —derived from the AN/APG-70 family—for guiding AIM-120 engagements at beyond-visual-range distances, with integrated enabling automated target tracking and launch authorization. Simulations during the demonstration phase demonstrated high hit probabilities, often exceeding 90 percent in representative scenarios against maneuvering targets, validating the system's effectiveness for first-look, first-kill tactics. The suite provided targeting cues that supported both -guided and modes. Armament integration testing emphasized stealth preservation, including ground firings in the late focused on weapon bay door sequencing to achieve cycle times under one second for open-launch-close operations. These trials, conducted at facilities like , confirmed reliable ejection of missiles via linear actuators while keeping door exposure minimal to avoid RCS spikes beyond operational thresholds.

Testing and Evaluation

Performance Trials

The performance trials for the Lockheed YF-22 prototypes, conducted primarily at from late 1990 to early 1991, rigorously evaluated the aircraft's core aerodynamic and propulsion capabilities to validate its suitability for the program. These tests built on the initial envelope expansion flights by pushing the prototypes through structured assessments of speed, agility, and endurance under controlled conditions. Over 74 flights totaling 91.6 hours, the two prototypes (PAV-1 and PAV-2) demonstrated metrics that exceeded program requirements, reducing risks for subsequent development. Speed evaluations highlighted the YF-22's advanced integration, achieving a top speed of Mach 2 with afterburners engaged during a December 1990 sortie with PAV-1. A pivotal achievement was the demonstration of sustained at Mach 1.5 without afterburners, first accomplished on November 3, 1990, by the GE YF120-powered PAV-1, and repeated with the Pratt & Whitney YF119-powered PAV-2 on November 23, 1990. This capability allowed efficient supersonic dash for approximately 150 nautical miles, minimizing and fuel consumption compared to afterburner-dependent flight. Maneuverability trials underscored the YF-22's agility edge, with the aircraft sustaining 9g turns and executing high angle-of-attack maneuvers up to 60 degrees. Thrust-vectoring nozzles, integrated into both prototypes, enabled these feats, including post-stall cobra maneuvers at around 50 degrees angle of attack; initial demonstrations occurred on November 15, 1990 (GE variant) and December 1, 1990 (P&W variant). Such performance validated the design's potential for superior energy management in dynamic flight regimes. Endurance and range assessments confirmed a ferry range of 1,850 nautical miles without external tanks, supported by internal fuel capacity and efficient cruise . The prototypes loitered for over 2 hours at 40,000 feet during dedicated trials, with first successfully tested on October 26, 1990, using a KC-135 tanker to extend mission profiles. These results emphasized the YF-22's balanced operational flexibility for long-duration patrols. Notable sorties in December 1990 at Edwards AFB measured key aerodynamic parameters, including lift-to-drag ratios peaking at 10:1 in subsonic cruise, which optimized and range extension. In comparative evaluations, the YF-22's provided a clear maneuverability advantage over the YF-23 in close-quarters simulations, contributing to its selection despite the competitor's edge in raw speed and stealth.

Combat Simulation Assessments

The YF-22 prototypes underwent evaluation through and supporting ground-based simulations during the program's 1990-1991 phase, assessing integrated systems for air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. Radar cross-section (RCS) validation occurred via ground tests at in 1990, confirming low-observable features that reduced detection ranges significantly compared to non-stealth designs. Weapon system demonstrations included successful missile launches from internal bays in early 1991, preserving stealth while validating beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagement potential. Computer-based and pilot-in-the-loop simulations further evaluated and maneuverability in contested scenarios, highlighting the YF-22's advantages in and over competitors. These assessments, combined with flight data, informed the USAF's selection decision by demonstrating the design's operational suitability without full-scale exercises, as the prototypes focused on validation rather than tactical simulations. In the late , the U.S. Navy initiated the Naval (NATF) program as a parallel effort to the Air Force's (ATF) initiative, aiming to develop a carrier-capable variant of the emerging stealth fighter designs to replace the aging F-14 Tomcat fleet. The NATF sought to leverage the ATF prototypes, including Lockheed's YF-22, for a shared concept that could meet joint service needs while incorporating naval-specific adaptations. Proposed modifications to the YF-22 for naval operations focused on enhancing structural integrity and carrier compatibility, including reinforced to withstand launches and arrested landings, folding wings for compact storage in hangars, an enlarged tailhook for deck arrests, and additional corrosion-resistant coatings to combat maritime environments. These changes were evaluated in USAF/USN studies to assess feasibility, with early concepts also exploring variable-sweep wings to balance low-speed carrier handling and high-speed performance, though fixed-wing designs were prioritized to preserve the YF-22's baseline . Between 1991 and 1992, testing and conceptual analyses were conducted to quantify the impact of naval features on the YF-22's , revealing trade-offs in drag and stealth but confirming overall viability for a shared platform. A key joint USAF/USN report examined the potential for common development, highlighting benefits in cost-sharing but noting challenges in reconciling agility requirements with carrier demands. The NATF program was canceled in 1992 amid escalating costs—estimated at billions for adaptation and production—and the Navy's decision to prioritize the more affordable F/A-18E/F Super Hornet as its primary multirole fighter. This termination ended exploration of a YF-22-derived naval , redirecting resources to existing platforms and underscoring the difficulties of joint-service development in a post-Cold War budget environment.

Selection and Program Transition

In April 1991, the selected the Lockheed YF-22 prototype as the winner of the (ATF) competition, with the announcement made by Secretary of the Air Force Donald Rice on April 23. The selection was based on comprehensive evaluations where the YF-22 demonstrated superior agility and maneuverability compared to the , particularly through its two-dimensional thrust-vectoring nozzles that enhanced close-combat performance. Although the YF-23 offered advantages in stealth and speed, the YF-22's overall technical maturity and lower perceived risk in development tipped the balance in its favor. Following the selection, the program transitioned to the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase, with Lockheed receiving a $9.55 billion contract on August 2, 1991, to refine the YF-22 design into the production F-22 Raptor while incorporating lessons from prototype testing. The two YF-22 prototypes conducted a total of 113 flights accumulating over 150 hours, providing critical data on , integration, and flight control systems that directly informed the F-22's core architecture. Prototype operations concluded in the early 1990s, with the aircraft retired to support ongoing EMD refinements rather than extended flight testing. The F-22 program evolved through subsequent contracts, culminating in low-rate initial production approval in 2001, when was awarded an $862 million deal on September 20 for the first lot of 10 . The total program cost was estimated at approximately $62 billion, encompassing development, procurement, and operations for the planned fleet. Key milestones included the F-22 achieving initial operational capability (IOC) on December 15, 2005, validating the foundational technologies proven during YF-22 evaluations.

Operational Aftermath

Accidents and Safety Issues

The Lockheed YF-22 prototypes experienced one major accident during their phase. On April 25, 1992, the second prototype (PAV-2, powered by the YF119 engine) crashed at , , while performing a maneuver. The suffered violent pilot-induced oscillations, leading to a loss of control approximately 40 feet above the runway; it subsequently belly-landed with the gear retracted, skidded 8,000 feet, and was destroyed by fire. The incident was attributed to a software malfunction in the flight , which caused erroneous commands during the low-altitude maneuver. Test pilot Tom Morgenfeld, a Lockheed employee, escaped without injury after safely egressing from the . No fatalities occurred, and the crash did not result from any fundamental design flaw in the or systems. An investigation board reviewed the mishap and recommended updates to the flight control software to enhance stability during high-angle-of-attack operations and thrust-vectoring maneuvers. These modifications were incorporated into subsequent development, influencing the control laws of the production F-22 Raptor. The overall safety record of the YF-22 prototypes remained strong, with zero fatalities across approximately 91.6 total flight hours accumulated by both aircraft during the demonstration/validation phase, underscoring the robustness of the testing protocols despite the inherent risks of advanced stealth and features.

Surviving Prototypes

The Lockheed YF-22 program built two prototype air vehicles (PAVs), but only one remains intact following the program's conclusion in the early 1990s. The second prototype, PAV-2 (S/N 87-0701, registration N22YX), equipped with YF119 engines, was severely damaged in a crash at on April 25, 1992, during a maneuver. The incident, attributed to pilot-induced oscillations exacerbated by a flight control software issue, resulted in the aircraft sliding off the runway and catching fire, rendering it a with no subsequent rebuild efforts. Although not rebuilt for flight, the wreckage was sent to the Air Force's Rome Laboratory for evaluation of stealth coatings and materials. The sole surviving example is PAV-1 (S/N 87-0700, registration N22YF), the initial prototype powered by General Electric YF120 engines, which conducted limited flight testing before the program's transition to full-scale development. After retirement from active evaluation in 1991, PAV-1 was stored and periodically relocated for preservation and display purposes. It was placed on temporary exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, around 2004, before returning to its origins at Edwards Air Force Base, California, in 2010 for permanent installation at the Flight Test Historical Foundation Museum (formerly the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum). Preservation of PAV-1 emphasizes its historical significance as a static exhibit, with original stealth coatings and structural features maintained to reflect the demonstrator's configuration during the competition. The , approximately 100% complete as of 2025, supports ongoing research into early stealth technologies and serves as a reference for aviation heritage without any plans for restoration to flyable condition. Public access occurs via guided museum tours at Edwards AFB, providing educational opportunities to examine prototype-specific design elements that influenced the operational F-22 Raptor.

Legacy in F-22 Development

The YF-22 prototype laid the groundwork for the F-22 Raptor's development, with key technologies such as the integrated architecture, supercruise-capable engines, and stealth-optimized shaping directly carried over to the production model. These retained elements enabled the F-22 to achieve seamless integration of , sustained supersonic flight without afterburners, and low-observable characteristics that defined its role as an air dominance fighter. The prototype's , which included 153 hours of evaluation, significantly reduced technical risks in the F-22 program by validating core design principles and avoiding substantial rework expenses estimated in the billions. Building on this foundation, the F-22A prototype conducted its on September 7, 1997, and achieved initial operational capability in December 2005, incorporating performance attributes proven during YF-22 trials, including a superior that supported exceptional maneuverability. The transition from prototype to production emphasized the YF-22's demonstrated agility in close-quarters combat scenarios, which influenced the final selection over the competing YF-23 design despite the latter's advantages in top speed. The YF-22's legacy through the F-22 continues to shape U.S. airpower strategy as of 2025, informing export policy debates where the Raptor's advanced stealth and have prompted a congressional ban to safeguard sensitive technologies from proliferation risks. This emphasis on agility over raw speed in the prototype phase has drawn for prioritizing dogfighting prowess in an era increasingly focused on beyond-visual-range engagements, indirectly contributing to the F-22's restricted international availability and heightened the program's role as a benchmark for sixth-generation initiatives like the (NGAD).

Specifications

General Characteristics

The Lockheed YF-22 was configured for a single pilot, reflecting its role as a technology demonstrator for advanced fighter capabilities. Its overall dimensions included a of 64 ft 6 in (19.65 m), a of 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m), and a height of 17 ft 9 in (5.39 m). The aircraft featured a wing area of 840 sq ft (78.04 m²) and an empty weight of 33,000 lb (14,970 kg). Power was provided by 2 × YF119-PW-100 engines, each with 35,000 lbf (156 kN) thrust with .

Performance Metrics

The Lockheed YF-22 prototypes demonstrated superior aerodynamic and propulsion performance during the evaluation flights, establishing benchmarks for capabilities in speed, endurance, and agility. These metrics were critical in validating the design's potential for air superiority roles, with test data confirming the aircraft's ability to operate effectively at high altitudes and speeds while maintaining stealth characteristics. The YF-22 achieved a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 (1,450 mph; 2,334 km/h) at altitude, enabling rapid transit and interception in contested . It also featured capability at Mach 1.5+ (approximately 1,000 mph; 1,600 km/h) without afterburners, which reduced and extended range during missions. The ferry range extended to 1,850 mi (2,980 km) with external tanks, supporting transcontinental deployments, while the service ceiling reached 65,000 ft (19,812 m) for operations above most threats. Maneuverability was highlighted by g-limits of +7.9 (highest tested), which permitted aggressive tactics without structural compromise. The thrust-to-weight ratio stood at 1.13, providing exceptional acceleration and vertical performance derived from the Pratt & Whitney YF119 engines.
MetricValueNotes/Source Context
Maximum SpeedMach 2.2 (1,450 mph; 2,334 km/h) at altitudeDemonstrated in flight tests
Supercruise SpeedMach 1.5+ (approx. 1,000 mph; 1,600 km/h)Sustained without afterburner
Ferry Range1,850 mi (2,980 km)With external fuel tanks
Service Ceiling65,000 ft (19,812 m)Maximum operational altitude
g-Limits+7.9Highest tested structural maneuver limits
Thrust-to-Weight1.13At typical weight

Armament and Avionics

The Lockheed YF-22 prototypes featured provisions for a single 20 mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon with a capacity of 480 rounds, although the gun was not installed during to prioritize other demonstration objectives. This internal cannon was designed for close-range air-to-air engagements, reflecting the aircraft's emphasis on stealthy, high-agility . The YF-22's primary armament focused on air-to-air missiles carried in internal weapons bays to maintain low observability. These bays could accommodate up to six medium-range missiles in a full air superiority configuration, or a mixed load of two and two short-range missiles for balanced beyond-visual-range and within-visual-range engagements. For non-stealth missions, external stores were possible, including up to 2,000 lb bombs on underwing pylons. The YF-22 utilized four internal hardpoints within its two side bays and two main bays, enabling a total internal weapons payload of 3,800 lb. Complementing these were four external hardpoints, primarily under the wings, which allowed for additional ordnance during testing phases where stealth was not prioritized. In terms of avionics, the YF-22 prototypes incorporated integrated avionics systems for testing sensor fusion and flight controls, including early radar and electronic warfare provisions that informed production developments. These systems were tested on the YF-22 airframes and supported by ground and flying testbeds, laying the foundation for production-level integration.

References

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