Hobbyboss 81722 1/48 USAF YF-23 Aircraft Model kit

Developed jointly by Northrop and McDonnell Douglas, the YF-23 was the prototype for the F-23 fighter, designed for the U.S. Air Force to compete in the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program. It ultimately lost the competition to the Lockheed YF-22, and the Lockheed Martin F-22 entered full production.

The YF-23 was designed to meet the U.S. Air Force’s "4S" requirements: supermaneuverability, stealth, supersonic cruise, and beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat capability. Its overall form was optimized for stealth, featuring large trapezoidal wings and V-tails that gave it an unconventional appearance. The engine’s infrared-suppressing nozzles, similar to those on the B-2 Spirit, used high-temperature-resistant ceramics to rapidly reduce exhaust heat, minimizing the risk of detection by infrared-homing missiles. The flaps and ailerons worked in concert with the V-tails to provide yaw control and counter-torque; simultaneously deflecting the flaps downward and ailerons upward could also be used as an air brake.