YF-22 Lightning II

- Prototype Superfighter -

Biography
The Lockheed-Martin/Boeing YF-22, unofficially nick-named "Lightning II" was an experimental fighter developed for the USAFs Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program in the late 1980s to replace the F-15 Eagle. The YF-22 would square off against the rival Northrop-McDonnell Douglas YF-23 in the early 1990s. Both planes were far more advanced than anything else flying at the time and they both performed with flying colors. Although many claimed that the YF-23 was a better performer, it in reality it really wasn't any better - in fact - no one can actually confirm whether it was or not. On the other hand, the YF-22 gave an equally - if not arguably better - performance than it's rival. The YF-22 was tested in many important areas of flight, and unlike it's rival, the YF-22 also was tested successfully in aerial refueling, missile firing and extreme maneuvering, something the Northrop team did not do.

In the end, despite the YF-23s own successful performance; the YF-22 was instead selected by the pentagon over the rival YF-23. It was rumored that the decision was made to reward Lockheed for their on-time and under budget delivery of the F-117 Nighthawk. In reality it was due to the YF-22s ease of manufacture and better adaptability to the Navy's NATF program that was going on at the time. Although the NATF was cancelled, the victorious YF-22 would eventually evolve into the USAFs new 5th generation fighter, the F-22 Raptor.

Origin (Real World)
United States of America

Featured In
Ace Combat (Air Combat) Ace Combat 2

Operators
Special Tactical Fighter Squadron "Scarface" Terrorist Air Force Usean Rebel Force

Ace Squadrons/Pilots
Hal / STFS (AC) Z.O.E. Colonel / URF (AC2)

Variants
F-22A Raptor F-22C Raptor II

Weapons
GUN / 1 x 20mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon Standard Missile / AIM-9M Sidewinder

Air Combat Stats
Stability: 50 Defense: 90 Offense: 20 Power: 100 Mobility: 100

Ace Combat 2 Stats
Power: 80 Defense: 50 Mobility: 70 Stability: 100 Climbing Ability: 90 Air-to-Air: 80 Air-to-Ground: 80

SOURCES: Air Combat (In Game Info) Ace Combat 2 (In Game Info) http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/index.html www.wikipedia.com/YF22

Accreditation: Heinkel for providing the image