YF-23 Black Widow

[WildMage]

Web of Secrecy- 1


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7702239593155948559

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7702239593155948559

[WildMage]

Web of Secrecy- 2


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=166235699620634029

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=166235699620634029

[WildMage]

Web of Secrecy- 3


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2382873972361573871

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2382873972361573871

[WildMage]

Web of Secrecy- 4


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2982499773989613938

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2982499773989613938

[WildMage]

Web of Secrecy- 5


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1356876023405764574

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1356876023405764574

[WildMage]

This video can be purchased here, worth every penny if you ask me ;)

This is the only complete account of the TOP SECRET story behind the creation of the incredible supersonic ATF stealth fighter designed by the Northrop and McDonnell Douglas team, competing against the Lockheed designed YF-22, in competition for the hundred billion dollar prize contract with the Air Force.....and why the U.S. Government decided not to buy it!

Directed by: Peter Facer
Runtime: 52 minutes
Release year: 2011
Studio: CreateSpace


http://www.amazon.com/Web-Secrecy-YF-23-Black-Declassified/dp/B005JWGG16

[norenrad]

I can't help but feel sad for that team of people, such accomplishment wasted. But the information and technology they developed will, hopefully, become a valuable experience.

[WildMage]

While filling up for gas in Beatty Nevada in the summer of '88 i saw what could have easily been the 2 YF-23s. They were the fastest aircraft I have ever seen. They were flying at the same altitude a commercial jetliner would be at to still be able to make out their markings. 35,000 feet -- maybe 50,000 feet. I tracked them as 2 small specks coming off the horizon, they flew directly overhead, (so i got a really good look at their underside profile), and continued to track then into the opposite horizon. Their speed was like the seconds hand on a clock. I did not hear the engines until they were at least 5 seconds past my position and 5 seconds later they were specks in the opposite horizon. The whole thing took 20-25 seconds, and no sonic boom. These were some amazing birds. The only thing that would have made the moment even more spectacular would have been to have the National Anthem playing in the background.

The YF-23 did not officially fly for another 2 years...

I'm fairly positive the technology was not lost nor did it go to waste. It probably just went black, because the technological edge being demonstrated was well beyond anything expected.

Here is picture of what the horizon looks like out of Beatty Nevada

http://www.justoutsidephotography.com/gallery/3855232_4mviw#!i=214611160&k=dGiPJ