OVERVIEW
Originally a product intended for the USAF, the YF-17 Cobra earned her wings with the USN as the FA-18 Hornet.
Originally a product intended for the USAF, the YF-17 Cobra earned her wings with the USN as the FA-18 Hornet.
YEAR: 1972
STATUS: Cancelled
MANUFACTURER(S): Nothrop Aviation - USA
PRODUCTION: 2
OPERATORS: United States (cancelled)
SPECIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Northrop YF-17A (Cobra) model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Northrop YF-17A (Cobra) model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 1
LENGTH: 55.77 feet (17 meters)
WIDTH: 114.83 feet (35 meters)
HEIGHT: 16.40 feet (5 meters)
WEIGHT (EMPTY): 17,196 pounds (7,800 kilograms)
WEIGHT (MTOW): 34,348 pounds (15,580 kilograms)
ENGINE: 2 x General Electric YJ101-100 afterburning turbojet engines developing 14,400lb thrust each.
SPEED (MAX): 1,496 miles-per-hour (2407 kilometers-per-hour; 1,300 knots)
RANGE: 2,989 miles (4,811 kilometers; 2,598 nautical miles)
CEILING: 49,213 feet (15,000 meters; 9.32 miles)
RATE-OF-CLIMB: 50,000 feet-per-minute (15,240 meters-per-minute)
ARMAMENT
AS TESTED/PROPOSED:
1 x 20mm Vulcan internal cannon
2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder Air-to-Air (AA) missiles on wingtips
AS TESTED/PROPOSED:
1 x 20mm Vulcan internal cannon
2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder Air-to-Air (AA) missiles on wingtips
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• YF-17 "Cobra" - Technology demonstrator
• F/A-18 "Hornet" - Larger / heavier variant based on the YF-17.
Series Model Variants
• YF-17 "Cobra" - Technology demonstrator
• F/A-18 "Hornet" - Larger / heavier variant based on the YF-17.
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the Northrop YF-17 (Cobra) Technology Demonstrator Aircraft. Entry last updated on 10/23/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Northrop YF-17 (Cobra) Technology Demonstrator Aircraft. Entry last updated on 10/23/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
The YF-17 Cobra was a Northrop Aviation creation through NASA to support further testing and research of aircraft at transonic speeds (meaning just underneath the speed of sound, or 700-780mph / 1,127-1,255kph). The YF-17 Cobra was, itself, born from the United States Air Force's Lightweight Fighter Program.
The Lightweight Fighter Program called for a prototype that was small and low cost / maintenance, with the capabilities of an air superiority day fighter. Though losing out to the General Dynamics YF-16 (later to become the F-16 Fighting Falcon), the YF-17 would see bluer skies in the form of the later F/A-18 Hornet aboard the carrier of the United States Navy.
After the failed LWF fly-off competition for the YF-17 Cobra, tests began with NASA over a seven week period that included in-flight pressure data recorded through sensors from all over the aircraft airframe, studies in transonic maneuverability, and stability and control factors in controlled forty-five minute long flights.
In the end, the YF-17 Cobra would set the stage for the first prototypes and production models of the highly successful F/A-18 series of aircraft, leading up to the "Super Hornet" design and the eventual successor to the much regarded F-14 Tomcat series of carrier-based interceptors.
The Lightweight Fighter Program called for a prototype that was small and low cost / maintenance, with the capabilities of an air superiority day fighter. Though losing out to the General Dynamics YF-16 (later to become the F-16 Fighting Falcon), the YF-17 would see bluer skies in the form of the later F/A-18 Hornet aboard the carrier of the United States Navy.
After the failed LWF fly-off competition for the YF-17 Cobra, tests began with NASA over a seven week period that included in-flight pressure data recorded through sensors from all over the aircraft airframe, studies in transonic maneuverability, and stability and control factors in controlled forty-five minute long flights.
In the end, the YF-17 Cobra would set the stage for the first prototypes and production models of the highly successful F/A-18 series of aircraft, leading up to the "Super Hornet" design and the eventual successor to the much regarded F-14 Tomcat series of carrier-based interceptors.
MEDIA
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Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 1500mph
Lo: 750mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (1,496mph).
Graph average of 1125 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LDN
LDN
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MSK
MSK
TKY
TKY
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the Northrop YF-17A (Cobra)'s operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
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Altitude Visualization
