Based on the company-funded P530 Cobra project, the YF-17 was developed to meet a USAF Request for Proposals for a lightweight day air superiority fighter. Of the companies making submissions for the RFP, Northrop and General Dynamics were each awarded contracts on 13 April 1972 for their contenders as the YF-17 and YF-16 respectively. The two YF-17 prototypes were flown on 9 June and 21 August 1974, these each being powered by two General Electric YJ101-GE-100 engines rated at 6532kg with afterburning. Proposed armament comprised one 20mm rotary cannon and two AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs, provision being made for one centreline and four wing stores stations to give the YF-17 multi-mission capability. In 1974, the YF-16 was selected by the USAF, the YF-17 providing the basis for a shipboard tactical fighter for the US Navy, being further developed in collaboration with McDonnell Douglas as the F/A-18 Hornet.

3-View

A three-view drawing (1278 x 852)