Forum: F-22A Raptor

If the F-22 supercruises at M1.78 as per the AvWeek article of Feb. 2, 2009, would a developed version of the YF-23 supercruise at M2? In Dem/Val it was said the fastest YF-22 supercruised at a lower speed than the fastest YF-23. Does anyone remember those speeds?

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Elite 1K Joined: May 26, 2005 - 08:39 PM Posts: 1496

Quote:

Does anyone remember those speeds?

I don't recall specific performance details of the YF-23 program ever being released.

Well, it certainly is possible, but I think the RAM won't hold up for long at those speeds... Apparently the Raptor's max speed (or max supercruise speed) is right at where the coatings will wear off due to wind friction...

Those speeds were never disclosed as far as I know. I would truely love to know what the yf-23's capabilites were considering what was published about the program. Some say it was the riskier of the 2 programs, but obviously it was built with the same funds that were available to the F-22 so it makes me skeptical about that answer. I think it was basically down to the point that the F-22 had TVC and it fired weapons during the demval phase. Too bad we can't have split buy contracts as is being dicussed with the tanker program. I think a F-22/F-23 mix would be something else indeed!!! Devil

yeah - then we'd only have 60 of each

LOL, now that's the truth!

As I recall the GE YF120-powered YF-23 supercruised at 1.86Mn... That the press release was immediately pulled afterward. SP

Point taken viperwzl. Just wishful thinking. I think the 23 would have been a great fighter/bomber replacement for the strike eagle.

Guysmiley wrote:

Quote:

Does anyone remember those speeds?

I don't recall specific performance details of the YF-23 program ever being released.

Guy is correct.

Specific numbers for the YF-23's performance are still classified. To this day, many of the engineers will not talk about the actual performance achieved by the YF-23s. Same with the YF-22. Despite the numbers publically released, you won't hear Sherm Mullins or Dick Abrams say anything different.

cywolf32 wrote:

I think the 23 would have been a great fighter/bomber replacement for the strike eagle.

I also agree.

In my world, a stretched, 2-seat "FB-23" would be an ideal "2018" long range strike platform if they tweak it right.

If you pay for all the development cost of the F-23 in addition to the F-22, there won't be any money left over for building airplanes. So you don't get 60 of each, you get NONE!

Forum: F-22A Raptor

An offshoot on the F-22 Specs released by AvWeek thread