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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.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/19/2021 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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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
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
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Specifications



Service Year
1972

Origin
United States national flag graphic
United States

Status
CANCELLED
Development Ended.
Crew
1

Production
2
UNITS


National flag of the United States United States (cancelled)
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator)
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.


Length
55.8 ft
(17.00 m)
Width/Span
114.8 ft
(35.00 m)
Height
16.4 ft
(5.00 m)
Empty Wgt
17,196 lb
(7,800 kg)
MTOW
34,348 lb
(15,580 kg)
Wgt Diff
+17,152 lb
(+7,780 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Northrop YF-17A (Cobra) production variant)
Installed: 2 x General Electric YJ101-100 afterburning turbojet engines developing 14,400lb thrust each.
Max Speed
1,496 mph
(2,407 kph | 1,300 kts)
Ceiling
49,213 ft
(15,000 m | 9 mi)
Range
2,989 mi
(4,811 km | 8,910 nm)
Rate-of-Climb
50,000 ft/min
(15,240 m/min)


♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)
Sub
Trans
Super
Hyper
HiHyper
ReEntry
RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030


(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Northrop YF-17A (Cobra) production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
AS TESTED/PROPOSED:
1 x 20mm Vulcan internal cannon
2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder Air-to-Air (AA) missiles on wingtips


Supported Types


Graphical image of an aircraft automatic cannon
Graphical image of an aircraft Gatling-style rotating gun
Graphical image of an air-to-air missile weapon
Graphical image of a short-range air-to-air missile


(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 2


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


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Images Gallery



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Image of the Northrop YF-17 (Cobra)
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Image of the Northrop YF-17 (Cobra)
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3 / 6
Image of the Northrop YF-17 (Cobra)
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image of the Northrop YF-17 (Cobra)
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image of the Northrop YF-17 (Cobra)
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Image of the Northrop YF-17 (Cobra)
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.


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