YF-17 Cobra

YF-17 Cobra is a military aircraft.


Specifications
Crew	1
Span	35 ft (10.7 m)
Length	56 ft (17.1 m)
Height	16 ft 6 in (5 m)
Weight (max take-off)	23,000 lb (10,400 kg)
Engines	2 General Electric Y-J-101 afterburning turbojets
Max Speed	Mach 2+
Range (ferry)	2,990 miles (4,810 km)
Service Ceiling	50,000 ft (15,000 m)
Armament	20-mm M-61A1 Vulcan Cannon 2 AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles

The United States Air Force, in 1972, sought proposals for a fighter that was small, low-cost, lightweight and easy to maintain. Northrop had experience with such requirments through its very successful F-5 Freedom Fighter and T-38 Talon.

In a 1975 fly-off, the Cobra competed against the General Dynamics F-16 Falcon and pilots reported very similar capabilities. General Dynamics had gambled by gearing up for immediate production, and so won the contract.

Though not selected by the Air Force, Northrop teamed up with McDonnell Douglas and developed the F-17 Cobra into the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet.

Related content
Related Development F/A-18 Hornet
Similar Aircraft
Designation Series F-14 - F-15 - F-16 - F-17 - F/A-18 - F-20 - F-21
Related Lists List of military aircraft of the United States - List of fighter aircraft

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Related content
Related Development	F/A-18 Hornet
Similar Aircraft
Designation Series	F-14 - F-15 - F-16 - F-17 - F/A-18 - F-20 - F-21
Related Lists	List of military aircraft of the United States - List of fighter aircraft