Summary and Key Points: The YF-23 Black Widow II remains the most debated “what-if” in aviation history, not for its specs, but for its philosophy. -While the F-22 Raptor offered an evolutionary path ...

The YF-23’s emphasis on stealth and long-range engagements over dogfighting cost it the race with the YF-22—but in hindsight, its vision was the more influential one. The YF-23 Black Widow II is a ...