YF-118G Bird of Prey: The Secret Stealth Demonstrator That Paved the Way for Modern Fighters
The YF-118G Bird of Prey was a top-secret technology demonstrator developed by McDonnell Douglas's Phantom Works in the 1990s. Funded internally by the company, the project aimed to test groundbreaking stealth technologies, rapid prototyping, and cost-effective manufacturing techniques. The unconventional-looking aircraft completed 38 successful test flights between 1996 and 1999, proving its advanced concepts. Although it was never intended for production, the invaluable data and lessons learned from the Bird of Prey program directly influenced the design and development of modern stealth aircraft like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
Official Source: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/yf-118g-bird-prey-stealth-aircraft-history-forgot-about-210734
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