Boeing Military
YF-118G Bird of Prey
Boeing Military Airplanes YF-118G Bird of Prey
Role Experimental stealth testbed
Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas / Boeing
First flight September 11, 1996
Retired April 1999
Status On display
Number built 1
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History Boeing YF-118G Bird of Prey
The Boeing Bird of Prey was a black project aircraft, intended to demonstrate stealth technology. It was developed by McDonnell Douglas and Boeing in the 1990s. The company provided $67 million of funding for the project; it was a low-cost program compared to many other programs of similar scale. It developed technology and materials which would later be used on Boeing's X-45 unmanned combat air vehicle. As an internal project, this aircraft was not given an X-plane designation. There are no public plans to make this a production aircraft. It is characterized as a technology demonstrator.
Development of the Bird of Prey began in 1992 by McDonnell Douglas's Phantom Works division for special projects, at Area 51. The aircraft's name is a reference to the Klingon Bird of Prey warship from the Star Trek television series.[2] Phantom Works later became part of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems after the Boeing–McDonnell Douglas merger in 1997.0
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Boeing YF-118G Bird of Prey
Boeing Military Airplanes
YF-118G Bird of Prey
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 46 ft 8 in (14.22 m)
- Wingspan: 22 ft 8 in (6.91 m)
- Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
- Wing area: 220 sq ft (20.4 m2) (estimated)
Powerplant
- Max takeoff weight: 7,400 lb (3,356 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5C , 3,190 lbf (14.2 kN) thrust
Specifications
- Maximum speed: 260 kn (299 mph, 482 km/h)
- Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
Armament
- None
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YF-118G Bird of Prey
Links to Youtube & Others
The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is an American twin-turboprop light attack and observation aircraft.
YF-118G Bird of Prey
After World War II, thousands of surplus PT-17s were auctioned off to civilians and former military pilots. Many were modified for cropdusting use.
Youtube Link
Throughout the 1990s, a team of engineers from McDonnell Douglas’ Phantom Works developed and tested a unique stealth fighter shrowded in the secrecy of Area 51, known to most as the Bird of Prey.
Read more in USAF / USA Air Force
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