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How Lockheed’s stealth fighter won the battle with Northrop Grumman

The Air Force held a competition between the world’s two stealth-technology leaders, Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp. The companies designed and built prototypes in Southern California.

Full story: F-22 program produces few planes, soaring costs | Photos: F-22 Raptor

How Lockheed’s stealth fighter won the battle with Northrop Grumman
By comparison
Fewer planes, higher cost

By comparison

A feature-by-feature look at both planes:

YF-22 YF-23
Stealth Lockheed made a big leap in its
technology over its F-117
Nighthawk attack jet.		 Northrop’s design borrowed heavily from its B-2 bomber, which had yet to be unveiled.
Tail design Lockheed used a traditional four
tail design, which gave it a more
conventional appearance.		 Northrop’s two V-tail design had never been seen before on a jet fighter.
Engines Lockheed had an innovative thrust vectoring system that allowed the
plane to maneuver sharply.		 Northrop decided the extra weight of a thrust vectoring system added little combat capability.
Heat Signature Horizontal rear fins help hide
engine exhaust plume.		 Exhaust deflected with heat-reducing tiles.

Fewer planes, higher cost

The Air Force got only about 30% of the total number of F-22s it wanted in 1991 and at nearly triple the price per plane: