Northrop YF-17. Предшественником F/A-18 был YF-17, принимавший участие в конкурсе на легкий истребитель для ВВС США; конкурс выиграл General Dynamics F-16. Изображен второй из двух YF-17, окрашенный в "камуфляж ПВО" из двух оттенков серого цвета.

YF-17 №2, LWF/ACF Joint Test Force. Построено два YF-17. Изображен второй самолет - 72-1570, первый - 72-1569. Сегодня эта машина находится в Мемориальном парке линкора "Алабама".

Вторая опытная машина Northrop YF-17 во время совместных испытаний по программе LWF/ACF, проходивших на авиабазе Эдвардс в Калифорнии в 1974 году. Обратите внимание на камуфляжную окраску, нанесенную только на второй самолет.

Первый взлет YF-17

YF-17 в полете

На опытном истребителе YF-17 был использован наплыв с очень большой хордой. Сложная аэродинамика крыла была дополнена еще и аэродинамической круткой передней кромки.
Проиграв конкурс ВВС, компания "Northrop" предложила самолет YF-17 ВМС США. На снимке - первый самолет во время летных испытаний уже с надписью NAVY на борту.

Хотя YF-17 был отличным истребителем, он проиграл конкурс ACF, проводимый ВВС США. Однако фирма "McDonnell Douglas" полностью реализовала потенциал самолета, превратив его в F/A-18 для ВМФ.

Новый легкий истребитель ВВС США. В конкурсе на легкий истребитель для ВВС США, кроме YF-16A, принимал участие Northrop YF-17 (фото), выполнивший первый полет 9 июня 1974г. Хотя YF-17 и проиграл, на его основе "Northrop" и "McDonnell Douglas" разработали двухдвигательный F/A-18 Hornet, который 2 мая 1975 года вышел победителем в конкурсе на самолет для ВМС и КМП США.

YF-16 (на снимке с конкурентом YF-17) проводит испытания новых систем управления, в том числе боковой РУ. Он стал первым истребителем с ЭДСУ. В отношении боковой РУ мнения летчиков разделились.

Самолеты-конкуренты YF-16 и YF-17, участвовавшие в тендере ВВС США на легкий истребитель

YF-17A был облетан в июне и августе 1974 года, а после проигрыша в тендере ВВС США был передан на оценочные испытания ВМС США, которым требовался новый истребитель-бомбардировщик. В конечном итоге на базе Cobra компании "McDonnell Douglas" и "Northrop" создали палубный F/A-18 Hornet, отличавшийся рядом необычных элементов конструкции, включая хвостовое оперение с двумя разваленными килями и крыло с большими наплывами.

Первый опытный YF-17 на испытаниях

Опытный истребитель YF-17

Subject of the demonstrations in Canada in connection with the NFA evaluation, this is the second of two YF-17s built originally for the USAF in its LWF programme; the Canadian national insignia are for publicity purposes only and do not indicate that the aircraft is on CAF strength.

The Northrop YF-17 Cobra first flew on June 9, 1974, from Edwards AFB.

During 1976, the first YF-17 underwent an eight-week flight research study at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

Northrop YF-17 01570, acting as the Navy YF-18 Hornet prototype and flown by Hank Chouteau, started with a 60-deg. accelerating climb

The two YF-17 prototypes have appeared in several alternative finishes since their first flights, at which time the first was basically natural metal and the second (photo) was in a mottled blue-white sky camouflage.

Опытный истребитель YF-17 в испытательном полете

The YF-17 served as a prototype during competition with the YF-16 in the Air Force Lightweight Fighter competition. The YF-17 aircraft lost that competition, but it would then serve as the testbed for the Navy F/A-18 fighter.

The two YF-17 prototypes have appeared in several alternative finishes since their first flights, at which time the first (photo) was basically natural metal and the second was in a mottled blue-white sky camouflage.

Northrop YF-17 lightweight fighter (two General Electric YJ101 turbojet engines)

Второй опытный истребитель YF-17

After the Northrop YF-17 design had been adopted, as the F-18, by the Navy, the second prototype acquired Navy markings as well as a revised paint scheme.

Northrop’s YF-17, which put on a spirited performance, is a development aircraft for the US Navy’s F-18, of which a land-based version is mooted.

Northrop's YF-17, now serving as the prototype for the US Navy's F-18 Naval Strike Fighter, makes a snappy take-off.

This plan view of the Northrop F-18 prototype portrays the leading-edge wing root extensions and the underwing intakes. Sidewinders are carried on the wing tips.

Northrop YF-17 72-1570 on touch-down with slats and flaps out and a confusion of tails plus dorsal airbrake

A view of the Northrop F-18 prototype which emphasises its twin fins.

Northrop F-18L prototype multi-role land-based fighter, counterpart of the US Navy's McDonnell Douglas Hornet.

A sidewinder-equipped Northrop YF-17 prototype in Canadian markings in anticipation of the possible order of CF-18Ls for the CAF.

The Northrop F-18L (represented here by one of the YF-17 prototypes) is a contender for the Canadian Armed Forces New Fighter Aircraft programme. while the F-18 and A-18 versions are being developed by McDonnell Douglas for the US Navy and Marine Corps.

Progenitor of the Hornet, this Northrop YF-17 was demonstrated in Canada earlier in 1978 to represent the CF-18L, one of the contenders for the Canadian Armed Forces New Fighter Aircraft programme.

The fuselage of the first YF-17 is seen after removal from the assembly jig and prior to 'wing mating.

Сборка первого опытного самолета YF-17

This full-scale mock-up shows salient features of the proposed Northrop P-530 Cobra, including the unusual location of air intakes for the General Electric GE15 engines.

Полноразмерный макет истребителя «Кобра»

Northrop YF-17 Cobra (1974 год). Самолет создавался в инициативном порядке как Northrop P-600 на базе не пошедшего в серию P.530 (на снимке, 1968 год). Cobra был представлен на тендер ВВС США по программе легкого истребителя (1974 год), но в следующем году проиграл General Dynamics YF-16 Fighting Falcon.

This new photograph of the projected Northrop P-530 Cobra illustrates the fact that, although optimised for the air superiority role, it will carry a substantial ordnance load when operated in its secondary role of close support and interdiction. On a close support mission up to 10,000 lb (4 536 kg) of deliverable weapons may be hung from six wing pylons and one fuselage pylon, and maximum external load of weapons and fuel will be 16,000 lb (7 257 kg).

Модель многоцелевого истребителя P-530-2

Продувка модели одного из вариантов «Кобры»
Photo of wind tunnel test model using oil to demonstrate air flow.

A complete YF-17 model undergoing wind tunnel testing. In addition to testing of the YF-17 configuration itself, the design benefits from earlier development of the P-530 Cobra.

Hooded look gives Cobra its name.

A mock-up of the YF-17 engine duct, inlet, inlet ramp, and adjacent wing and fuselage surfaces. Prior to first flight, an actual YJ-101 engine was being mated to this mock-up and was to be run to maximum power (including afterburner operation) to demonstrate engine-airframe compatibility.

An impression of the Northrop P-600, two prototypes of which will be evaluated by the USAF.

An artist's concept of the F-18 Hornet fighter that would evolve from the YF-17 testbed prototype.

Northrop P-530 Cobra

Northrop YF-17

An example of typical Cobra structure is given by this drawing of the centre fuselage section, the production of which would represent nearly 11 per cent of the flyaway cost of the aircraft.

A diagram showing the breakdown of the Cobra airframe into its major components.

The Northrop P-530 Cobra advanced air superiority fighter, illustrated by the accompanying general arrangement drawing, has been based on F-5 concepts and philosophy but bears no resemblance to the earlier design. Northrop is currently endeavouring to enlist foreign financing for the development of the Cobra which is a purely private venture intended to form the basis of a collaborative manufacturing programme. Including research and development, the Cobra is expected to have a unit price of the order of $3m (?1,25m) and will be powered by two General Electric J101-GE-100 turbojets each having an augmented thrust of approximately 15,000 lb (6 804 kg). Development of the Cobra airframe and systems is expected to cost $100m (?41,6m), Northrop having already spent some $22m (?9,1Im), and it is estimated that the development and flight testing of the J101 engine will cost about $150m (?62,5m.).

This general arrangement drawing of the P-530 Cobra, although still provisional, is believed to be the most accurate yet published. It shows a number of significant changes made since the Cobra design was started, including a deeper fuselage, revised air intakes and separate windscreen and cockpit cover. Approximate overall dimensions are span, 35 ft (10,67 m) and length 52 ft (15,85 m).

This provisional general arrangement drawing illustrates the major external features of the Northrop P-600, two prototypes of which have been ordered for the USAF to define capabilities of the lightweight fighter concept. The P-600 emplays most of the aerodynamic features of the projected P-530 Cobra multi-role fighter but weights considerably less with a gross weight of 19,600 lb (8 890 kg).

Northrop YF-17 single-seat lightweight fighter prototype

Northrop YF-17 single-seat lightweight fighter prototype

The latest three-view drawing of the YF-17 shows several recent design changes, including the addition of nose strakes, bell-mouth air intakes and vertical and horizontal tail surfaces of higher aspect ratio than at first planned.