Boeing Bird of Prey Shrouded in Secrecy Still

Named after a Klingon spacecraft from Star Trek and given the designation “YF-118G”, the jet incorporated dramatic design inside and out.

Jason McDowell

Tuesday, March 07, 2023 at 12:56 PM ET

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The striking Bird of Prey on display at the National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, Ohio. [Courtesy: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

McDonnell-Douglas developed the "Bird of Prey" (YF-118G) in the 1990s as a classified research aircraft to advance stealth technology and more affordable development processes after losing major military jet contracts.
The aircraft pushed the boundaries of stealth, featuring an extremely low radar cross-section, minimized infrared signature, and specialized paint, prioritizing low observability over aerodynamic performance.
It pioneered cost-reduction methods through rapid prototyping, computer simulations, and extensive use of off-the-shelf components, resulting in a program cost of only $67 million and influencing future stealth aircraft design.

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Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, McDonnell-Douglas was struggling to secure contracts for the production of tactical military jets. In 1986, after submitting multiple proposals for the USAF’s Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, the company was excluded from the running. Later, it partnered with Northrop Grumman to develop the YF-23, only to lose to the F-22 in 1991.

Reeling from these losses, company leaders decided they needed to make up lost ground. Recognizing that stealth technology and affordability were key elements in future success, they launched a program in 1992 to develop their capabilities. This program entailed the design, manufacture, and testing of a cutting-edge research aircraft that would become known as the Bird of Prey.