I've heard stories about the RCS. It depends on what aspect you are using.
The F-22 certainly has more surfaces that counter a lower signature from
certain aspects. I have also heard where the YF-23 was lower. Several of the
engineers were even mad that they concentrated too much on a low RCS when
the USAF seemed to dismiss it's importance when the selection was made. Then
again, the production F-23A had different inlets to adress the lower RCS .
Internal stores? I doubt it. The YF-23 had two huge bays. The claim I heard
was that the F-22 was a little bit more maneuverable, due to it's extra
surfaces. I wish I kept a copy of the report that came back from the USAF,
after the selection was made, giving their reasons for their choice.

The YF-23 was also much faster than the YF-22 in mil power, and able to
accelerate to supersonic speeds without afterburner or going into a dive.
This indicates it had less transonic drag, and would use less fuel over it's
lifetime. Supercruise was a driving point of the RFP. And Northrop was just
coming out of a period where they were not living up to their promises on
past projects. Even Druyan (SP?) was giving Northrop a hard time, which
didn't help politically.

But, if the aircraft are close, they make the selection based on the
aircraft they want, and then use the parameters they want, to justify their
decision. We saw this decision making again with the CSAR competition.

But, that was 14 years ago, and the YF-22 is finally going into service. I
hope it always works well, and everyone will be happy with it, because it's
really about the pilots.

"Leroy Jackson" wrote in message
...
The reason the F-22 won is based on the RCS part, they both were in the 5%
range on all factors except for one. but the truth is that the 22 was 6
feet smaller than the 23 and had more room for internal stores, it makes a
big diffrence in operations.


"Ron Monroe" wrote in message
ink.net...
What's ironic is the the YF-23 looks more like a Lockheed product than
the YF-22 does.
Ron

"Bob Harrington" wrote in message
...
"E.D." wrote in
. net:

I know I'm going get a lotta flack for this but I think the 23 was the
best aircraft and that the 22 was a congress pay off to someone.

The YF-23 sure wins the 'wicked looks' competion. The F-22 looks a tad
waddle-ish from some angles...

Bob ^,,^