I know that F=fighter, A=attack, F/A=fighter/attack, B=bomber. I can not find any information on what YF stands for. This type of aircraft is usually an experimental aircraft, but why do modern aircraft use X instead of YF?
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$\begingroup$ Modern aircraft? $\endgroup$– egidCommented Oct 23, 2015 at 16:07
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1$\begingroup$ @egid guess the YF-22 and YF-23 weren't modern aircraft :) $\endgroup$– jwentingCommented Oct 23, 2015 at 16:31
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1$\begingroup$ Well I suppose the most modern bits will always be in aircraft that have an "X" (Experimental) designation until they get incorporated into a prototype that will eventually become a line aircraft. (Though somehow I don't think anyone would call the X-1 "modern" anymore…) $\endgroup$– voretaq7Commented Oct 23, 2015 at 16:42
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2 Answers
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The 'Y' in YF stands for prototype according to the Tri-Service aircraft designation system. The 'F' stands for fighter, so YF stands for prototype-Fighter. These aircraft are operated by the US Department of Defense (USAF or USN).
For example, YF-22 is the prototype (technology demonstrator) version of the F-22 Raptor.
The 'X' series is the name given for strictly experimental aircraft; i.e. they are not prototypes.
answered Oct 23, 2015 at 11:43
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3$\begingroup$ Why X-32 and X-35, then, when developing the JSF? $\endgroup$– egidCommented Oct 23, 2015 at 16:08
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2$\begingroup$ @egid they were strictly experimentals, technology demonstrators, not actual prototypes. Mind I've not been able to find a source for the actual percentage of parts commonality, but that should be out there somewhere. $\endgroup$– jwentingCommented Oct 23, 2015 at 16:29
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$\begingroup$ According to "X-15 Extending the Frontiers of Flight" by D. R. Jenkins the X-series was created by NACA as they had no dedicated experimental aircraft program in the 1940s. All research, experiments and tests had to piggyback on other aircraft often unsuited for the tests being performed. The X-series was started in order to have a designation for aircraft which were never intended to progress into the prototype stage. While some may resemble the subsequent prototypes, they don't represent/contain the full technology stack or a complete set of systems as far as I know. $\endgroup$ Commented Dec 6, 2017 at 20:07
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My best friend was CFTE (Chief Flight Test Engineer) for both the X-35 (Joint Strike Fighter) and the YF-22 Raptor. As well as the SR-71 and the U-2 spy plane. (I don't do aviation - I'm a Securities attorney) Both the Y and X in other jets are designated prior to the Jets' first, landing the DOD contract and Second, going into production. The X-35 won the contract for Lockheed. It's now the F-35. In three different variants. Carrier-bssed (Navy), Ground-based (Air Force), and STOVL (Short Take-Off Vertical Landing).(Marines). The X was the experimental version of all 3. For example,the Carrier version is now designated as the F-35C (Fighter- Carrier)
