The YF-17 Cobra was a Northrop
Aircraft creation through NASA to support further testing and
research of aircraft at transonic speeds. The YF-17 Cobra was,
itself, born from the United States Air Force's Lightweight Fighter
Program.
The Lightweight Fighter Program
called for a prototype that was small and low cost maintenance,
with the capabilities of an air superiority fighter. Though losing
out to the General Dynamics YF-16 (later to become the F-16 Fighting
Falcon), the YF-17 would see bluer skies in the form of the later
F/A-18 Hornet aboard the carriers of the United States Navy.
After the failed LWF fly-off competition
for the YF-17 Cobra, tests began with NASA over a seven week
period From May 27 to July 14, 1976, at the Dryden Flight Research
Center, Edwards, California. Testing included in-flight pressure
data recorded through sensors from all over the aircraft and
afterbody of the aircraft to improve wind-tunnel predictions
for future fighter aircraft. Studies included transonic maneuverability,
and stability and control factors in controlled flights.
Also studied were stability and
control and buffeting at high angles of attack as well as handling
qualities at high load factors. Another objective of this program
was to familiarize research center pilots with the operation
of advanced high-performance fighter aircraft. During the seven-week
program, all seven of the center's test pilots were able to fly
the aircraft with Gary Krier serving as project pilot
In the end, the YF-17 Cobra would
set the stage for the first prototypes and production models
of the highly successful F/A-18 series of aircraft, leading up
to the "Super Hornet" design and the eventual successor
to the much regarded F-14 Tomcat series of carrier-based interceptors.