Northrop/McDonnel Douglas YF-23A "Black Widow" II - REFERENCE INFORMATIONS

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NOTES:

Generally the throttle is only opened to maximum thrust on take off and acceleration to high altitude. For maneuvering, a more conservative throttle setting is advised. Typically you can achieve most of your mission flight goals with half to two thirds throttle.

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TAXIING:

Open the throttles a quarter and then close it when you reach 10 knots. That should keep you taxiing at between 15 to 20 knots. Apply a little power when turning. Note that the nose wheel is very sensitive. In fact the YF-23A requires very little control input to keep things in balance. Line up on the runway, close the throttles, apply brakes, and await clearance.

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TAKE OFF:

Flaps are to be fully retracted (up) for take off. When cleared for take off, open the throttles about two thirds. Ignite the afterburner if required. At about 160 KIAS pull back gently but deliberately. Rotate to about 10 degrees at which point the YF-23A will leap into the sky. Retract the gear before 250 KIAS and deactivate the afterburner if you used reheat for take off. Continue to raise the nose and hold steady at 15 or 20 degrees nose up attitude.

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CLIMB TO CRUISE ALTITUDE:

Accelerate to cruise or attack altitude with full power and about 20 degrees nose up attitude. A more moderate climb profile can be achieved with two thirds throttle and 15 degrees nose up attitude. The YF-23A will respond very favorable to correct trim input. Cruise speed of Mach 1.8 is safe to achieve from 18.000 Ft and higher. Below this, the is better to reduce the speed to avoid hull stress. Immediately close the throttles and lift the nose to decelerate if this happens. Prolonged operation above 1200 KIAS below 10,000ft will cause severe airframe damage and will overstress the aircraft.

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FLIGHT:

You will notice that the YF-23A responds very quickly to the slightest input. This becomes even more apparent at supersonic speeds. Be light with your stick movements. When you reach the desired attitude, do not allow the stick to snap back to neutral. The snapping of the stick is interpreted by the flight computer as a quick movement and the aircraft will behave accordingly. Instead, slowly move the stick back to neutral.

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DECELERATION AND DESCENT:

The YF-23A is a slippery beast, and closing the throttles will not slow you down in a hurry. Often you will need a very shallow descent profile, including some level flight segments to reduce your speed accordingly. The speed brakes can be deployed at 450 KIAS below 10,000ft. The brakes are quite powerful. When speed decreases to below 300 KIAS, drop the flaps 2 notches and stow the speed brake. Below 250 KIAS, you can lower the landing gear.

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PREPARING FOR LANDING:

4 miles from touchdown, lower the flaps all the way and arm the speed brake. Set throttle as needed to maintain 140 KIAS. Use trim as required to maintain 1000fpm or less descent rate.

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LANDING:

Above the runway threshold, close the throttles and flare to 5 degrees nose up pitch. The YF-23A will settle quite quickly. If armed, the speed brakes will deploy upon landing. Otherwise manually release them to reduce speed after touch down. Apply brakes and taxi clear of the runway when able.

 


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SPECIFICATIONS:

Prime Contractor: Northrop Corp.
Subcontractor: McDonnell Douglas Corp.
Type: YF-23A "Black Widow" II
Year: 1990
Crew: 1
Number Built: 2 (PAV-1 (87-800), PAV-2 (87-801))
Engines: 2 YF-119-PW-100 (PAV-1) or 2 YF-120-GE-100 (PAV-2)
Maximum Speed: 1.6M (No AB), 2.0M (AB)
Cruise Speed: 1.45M at 36000Ft
Service Ceiling: 65000Ft
Take Off Lenght: 3500Ft
Maximum G-Loads: +9/-4 Clean at High Altitude
Combat Radius: 750Nm
Empty Weight: 29000Lb
Normal Weight: 54000Lb
Combat Weight: 62000Lb
Fuel Load: 2400Gal
Wingspan: 43.7Ft
Lenght: 67.5Ft
Height: 13.11Ft
Wing Area: 900sqFT
Weapons Load (Planned): 8+ Short/Mid Range AAM + 1 Vulcan Cannon
Remarks: Lost ATF Program to YF-22A

 

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SERVICE VELOCITIES:

VMO  - Max Operative Vel = 1514 KIAS

MMO  - Max Operative Vel (Mach) = 2.10 Mach

VLO  - Max Gear Operative Vel = 255 KIAS

VLE  - Max Gear Extracted Vel = 300 KIAS

VFE  - Max Flaps Extracted Vel = 400 KIAS

V1   - Decision Vel On Takeoff (dry runway, standard temperature) = 140 KIAS

VR   - Rotation Vel (dry runway, standard temperature) = 160 KIAS
       
V2   - Safety Vel On Takeoff (dry runway, standard temperature) = 180 KIAS

VAPP - Approach Vel (maximum flaps at 20 degrees, landing gear up) = 290 KIAS
                 
VREF - Landing Approach Vel (flaps full extended, landing gear down) = 140 KIAS
                 
VBG  - Best Gliding Vel = 220 KIAS (flaps and landing gear retracted, both engines off)

VA   - Maneuver Vel At Full Load = 1.20 Mach (Sea Level)
                                                        1.80 Mach (20.000 Ft)
                                                        2.00 Mach (36.500 Ft)