The Forgotten Pioneer: A Look Back at the YF-118G Bird of Prey Stealth Demonstrator
The YF-118G Bird of Prey was a highly secretive technology demonstrator developed by McDonnell Douglas's Phantom Works in the 1990s. Funded internally for just $67 million, the project aimed to pioneer new stealth technologies and cost-effective manufacturing processes. The single-engine, subsonic aircraft completed 38 test flights between 1996 and 1999, proving a range of advanced concepts. The lessons learned from this program were crucial for the development of subsequent stealth aircraft, including the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. After being declassified in 2002, this once-secret aircraft was put on public display, revealing its significant contribution to modern aviation.
Official Source: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/yf-118g-bird-prey-stealth-aircraft-history-forgot-about-210734