YF-23 Archieve:
YF-23 ATF PAV Characteristics, Common
Empty weight 35,000-50,000lb set on UFC envelope menu flight parameters , 38,000lb
Max weight 44,000-60,000lb , 55,000lb
Fuel at least 18,000lb set on UFC scratchpad
Basic Dimensions:
length 67'6"/ 67.4ft
wing span 43' 7" / 43.6ft
v-tail span 34' 2"
height 13.9 ft
weapons bay 160in/ 13.33 ft length x 48in width x 38in height
Flying Surfaces:
wing modified NACA 65A airfoil. area: 950 sq ft, aspect ratio: 2.00, no angle of incidence, mean aero chord: 322.9, leading edge 40°, trailing edge 40°
v-tail modified NACA 65A airfoil. area: 197 sq ft, aspect ratio: 2.55, -1° angle of incidence, mean aero chord: 120.6, dihedral 40°
forebody chine 7.5°
Performance Estimates:
The maximum flight performance characteristics are classified and only of academic interest since the aircraft was not tested to its maximum limits, only those sufficient to demonstrate USAF requirements within the Dem/Val structure. The actual flight parameters required to be demonstrated where much lower than what the aircraft was theoretically capable of. Performance figures have never been publically released so all figures in the public domain are estimates.
Vmax at high altitude Mach 1.8+
Vmax at low altitude 915 mph
Vcruise Mach 1.6+
Vmin 140 KCAS
AoA for glideslope 10°
AoA limit on landing 12.5°
AoA max tested 25°
AoA max theoretical 55°
combat radius 800-900 miles
service ceiling 50,000ft tested, 60,000ft proposed
Weapons Provisions:
3 AIM-120A AMRAAM LAU-106 launch adapter, 4.5° down on launch
2 AIM-9L Sidewinder LAU-114 launch adapter
1 GE M61A1 Vulcan 20mm cannon with 500 rounds
The only way I see this ambitious project to succeed would be if we invest heavily into avionics/electronics/sensors and data management. And also start training pilots to process a universe of information they will get through all sensors, avionics and optimally utilize the necessary data while discarding the rest, which I believe will be a hell of a task. My own prediction is that, if the aircraft is to enter production after 2030, we might go to make it a 5.5 Gen jet keeping in mind it will support guided laser weapons.
It looks very similar but final design will look different. We are in the 2nd stage of design phase. Once the design is finalized then we will work toward building the infrastructure to prepare for prototype phase.
We have a total of 4 design cycles in designing phase only and stage 1 only got completed in 2018/2019. TBH, objectively, I am pessimistic of prospects of this project completing. To me, its outcome might be similar to Indian Tejas but only 25 times worse.