Northrop YF-17 (Cobra)

Technology Demonstrator Aircraft [ 1972 ]

Originally a product intended for the USAF, the YF-17 Cobra earned her wings with the USN as the FA-18 Hornet.

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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.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Nothrop Aviation - USA
Manufacturer(s)

United States (cancelled)
Operators

1972
Service Year

United States
National Origin

Cancelled
Project Status

1
Crew

2
Units

X-PLANE
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.

RADAR-CAPABLE
Houses, or can house (through specialized variants), radar equipment for searching, tracking, and engagement of enemy elements.

COUNTERMEASURES
Survivability enhanced by way of onboard electronic or physical countermeasures enacted by the aircraft or pilot/crew.

MULTI-ENGINE
Incorporates two or more engines, enhancing survivability and / or performance.

SUPERCRUISE
Capable of sustained supersonic flight without the need for engine afterburner/reheat enabled.

WING SWEEPBACK
Mainplanes, or leading edges, features swept-back lines for enhanced high-speed performance and handling.

HIGH-SPEED PERFORMANCE
Can accelerate to higher speeds than average aircraft of its time.

HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
Can reach and operate at higher altitudes than average aircraft of its time.

MARITIME OPERATION
Ability to operate over ocean in addition to surviving the special rigors of the maritime environment.

PILOT / CREW EJECTION SYSTEM
Assisted process of allowing its pilot and / or crew to eject in the event of an airborne emergency.

CREWSPACE PRESSURIZATION
Supports pressurization required at higher operating altitudes for crew survival.

55.8 ft
(17.00 meters)
Length

114.8 ft
(35.00 meters)
Width/Span

16.4 ft
(5.00 meters)
Height

17,196 lb
(7,800 kilograms)
Empty Weight

34,348 lb
(15,580 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight

+17,152 lb
(+7,780 kg)
Weight Difference

2 x General Electric YJ101-100 afterburning turbojet engines developing 14,400lb thrust each.
Propulsion

1,496 mph
(2,407 kph | 1,300 knots)
Max Speed

49,213 ft
(15,000 m | 9 miles)
Ceiling

2,989 miles
(4,811 km | 2,598 nm)
Range

50,000 ft/min
(15,240 m/min)
Rate-of-Climb

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

AS TESTED/PROPOSED:
1 x 20mm Vulcan internal cannon
2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder Air-to-Air (AA) missiles on wingtips

2
Hardpoints

YF-17 "Cobra" - Technology demonstrator

F/A-18 "Hornet" - Larger / heavier variant based on the YF-17.

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