The first truly stealth plane

The YF-118G, the “Bird of Prey”, an innovator in stealth and technology, has flown 38 times and is the first aircraft equipped with optical camouflage, on display since 2003.

The US Military Aviation Museum houses the world's largest collection of combat aircraft, including among its jewels the Soviet model Mikoyan MiG-31 (known to NATO as “Firefox”), the German Heinkel He 277 bomber, and the one-of-a-kind Boeing FY. -118G, nicknamed the “Bird of Prey”.

The latter, the result of a collaboration between McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, owes its nickname to the resemblance to the Klingon spacecraft from the movie “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.” The project began in the 1990s, and remained strictly secret until its completion in 1999, and focused on a single-seat model to explore advanced stealth techniques and new aviation construction techniques.

On its inaugural flight in 1996 from Area 51, the FY-118G completed 38 test flights, marking before and after the aircraft's radar visibility was reduced. Its most notable innovation was the introduction of optical camouflage that grants invisibility to the human eye, a precursor to the technologies applied in the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, as former President Donald Trump stated.

Although the origin of stealth technology is debated, it supposedly originated in Roswell in the late 1940s, and its use remains controversial, especially since its use violates the Algiers Treaty.

Stealth aircraft and technological advances in aviation

The Bird of Prey was a testbed for innovative aviation design and manufacturing techniques, including the use of monolithic composite structures, virtual reality-assisted assembly, and disposable tooling. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5C turboprop engine, it reached speeds of 300 mph and could operate at an altitude of up to 20,000 feet.

Its most important contribution was improved stealth technology, particularly through integrated control surfaces that reduced its radar profile. This aircraft also pioneered the use of transparent aluminum windows, which are lighter and stronger than traditional glass.

To reduce costs and development times, standard components were incorporated, such as the landing gear from the Beach King Air and Queen Air aircraft, and a computer system based on a recycled Commodore 64 running Microsoft Flight Simulator II.

In 2002, the only example of the YF-118G was donated to the museum, where it has been on display since 2003. Due to the nature of its camouflage technology, visitors need special glasses to fully appreciate it.

Happy April Fools!