Back in 1997, the US Air Force choose between the F-22 Raptor and the YF-23 for its fifth-generation fighter.
The YF-23 had a greater flight range, giving the fighter the potential to strike much further targets.
The F-22 Raptor had a more conventional design and more effective program management, and was seen as less costly and less risky.
The Air Force chose the Raptor, but after 16 years of technical problems, leaving the plane grounded as recently as last year, they may well regret it. Nevertheless, the F-22 remains a "critical component" of U.S. air dominance, and the only place to see the losing model is at a couple out-of-the-way museums.
The YF-23 was the runner-up in the Air Force's "Advanced Tactical Fighter" competition that resulted in the trouble-ridden F-22 Raptor — only two were ever made.
The YF-23 was a radical design with diamond-shaped wings, a radar-evading profile, and an all-moving V-tail.
It was powered by two turbofan engines that pushed exhaust through 'troughs' that helped dissipate heat to lower the chance of infrared missile detection.
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