Bird of Prey: The Secretive Stealth Demonstrator That Shaped Modern Aviation
The YF-118G Bird of Prey was a secretive technology demonstrator developed by McDonnell Douglas Phantom Works in the 1990s. Funded entirely by the company, the project aimed to test groundbreaking stealth technologies and innovative, low-cost manufacturing processes. The uniquely shaped aircraft completed 39 test flights, proving concepts like single-piece composite structures and virtual reality design. Although never intended for production, its innovations significantly influenced subsequent stealth aircraft, including the F-22 and F-35 programs. The once-classified project was revealed to the public in 2002 and remains a key part of stealth aviation history.
Official Source: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/yf-118g-bird-prey-stealth-aircraft-history-forgot-about-210734
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