In 1972 the United States Air Force sought proposals for a fighter aircraft that was small, low-cost, lightweight and easy to maintain. Northrop had experience with such requirments through its very successful F-5 Freedom Fighter and T-38 Talon.

In a 1975 fly-off, the Cobra competed against the General Dynamics F-16 Falcon and pilots reported very similar capabilities. General Dynamics had gambled by gearing up for immediate production, and so won the contract. The YF-17 is said to have initially been a joint project between the US Northrop Grumman and the Iranian government.

Though not selected by the Air Force, Northrop teamed up with McDonnell Douglas and developed the F-17 Cobra into the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet.

Specifications (YF-17 Cobra)

YF-17 Cobra

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 56 ft (17.1 m)
• Wingspan: 35 ft (10.7 m)
• Height: 16 ft 6 in (5 m)
• Wing area: ft² (m²)
• Empty: lb ( kg)
• Loaded: lb ( kg)
• Maximum takeoff: 23,000 lb (10,400 kg)
• Powerplant: 2x General Electric YJ101 afterburning turbojets, kN (lbf) thrust

Performance

• Maximum speed: mph ( km/h) Mach 2.0+
• Range: 2,990 miles (4,810 km) max ferry
• Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight:

Armament

• M61 Vulcan 20 mm Gatling gun
• 2x AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles

External link

• USAF Museum: YF-17 Cobra

Related content

Related development: F/A-18 Hornet - F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

Comparable aircraft:

Designation series: F-14 - F-15 - F-16 - F-17 - F/A-18 - F-20 - F-21

See also:

• List of military aircraft of the United States
• List of fighter aircraft