The YF-23 Black Widow II (referred to as the YF-23A Black Widow II in some older games) is a prototype fighter aircraft.
The aircraft debuted in Air Combat and subsequently appeared in numerous titles since.
History
Strangereal
The Black Widow first saw use during the Skully Islands insurrection and the Belkan War.
During the Skully Islands insurrection, the Scarface Squadron and the rebel forces both used the aircraft.
During the Belkan War, the Belkan Air Force was the most prominent user of the aircraft. It was also used by the paramilitary terrorist organization AWWNB, most notably by the renegade Wizard Team, replacing the F/A-18C Hornets they previously flew while they were still a part of the Osean Air Defense Force.
During the Usean coup d'état, the Usean Rebel Forces used the aircraft against the Usean Allied Forces. Notable pilots include URF ace Max&Goose and the Z.O.E. Colonel.
During the Circum-Pacific War, the Belkan Air Force once again used the aircraft.
Black Widows were fielded in the Lighthouse War, especially late in the war, the YF-23 was operated by the Erusean Air Force as an advanced fighter, along with planes such as the Su-33 Flanker-D, Su-57 and the F-22A Raptor. One notable pilot included Erusean ace Major Benjamin Neumann, callsign "Lynx". YF-23s were also deployed by the Erusean Air Force to defend the submarine Alicorn from an Osean capture operation.[1]
During the Aurelian War, the Black Widow had seen plenty of use from both the Leasath Air Force and the Aurelian Air Force. On the Aurelian side, notable pilots include the Aquila Squadron and the Falco Squadron. On the Leasathian side, one of the LAF's aces, callsign Spider, used the aircraft.
Joint Assault universe
During the Valahia Crisis, only one known pilot used the aircraft. This was the Valahian ace Bloodstone.
Assault Horizon universe
The Black Widow was available for use by Warwolf Squadron.
Infinity universe
Duirng Operation Eternal Liberation, both the USEA Federation and the UNF used Black Widows. A notable unit was the federation's Shadow Squadron.
Game Analysis
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
- "A large stealth fighter and finalist in the Advanced Tactical Fighter competition, it eventually lost to the prototype of the F-22. Designed with a focus on stealth, the YF-23 stood out with its trapezoidal wings and all-moving tail. Its advanced speed and especially its stealth capabilities make it ideal for preemptive strikes. One of the nicknames for the prototype was "Black Widow II," while another was "Gray Ghost.""
- ― Data Viewer
How to Unlock
- The YF-23 is available on the Aircraft Tree and costs 875,000 MRP. It requires purchasing the F-15E Strike Eagle.
Statistics
Weapons
Part Slots
- BODY: 32
- ARMS: 32
- MISC: 32
Named Pilots
Skins
- Osea: "Grey Ghost" livery
- Erusea: "Black Widow II" livery (Unlock: Finish first in the Battle Royal multiplayer mode three times)
- Special: Light grey with dark grey tiger stripes (Unlock: Shoot down LYNX)
- Mage: Osea skin with Mage Squadron markings
- Spare: Osea skin with Spare Squadron markings
- Strider: Osea skin with Strider Squadron markings
- Wizard: Wizard Team livery
- Z.O.E.: Zone of Endless red (Unlock: Acquire the Experimental Aircraft Series DLC)
Gallery
A wallpaper featuring the aircraft
Ace Combat Infinity
- "A prototype fighter with high stealth capabilities and excellent high speed flight. A candidate from the ATF (Advanced Tactical Fighter) program, with diamond shaped wings and a Y-shaped tail, reducing radar reflection surfaces and air resistance to absolutely minimal levels. Its nickname is the "Black Widow II"."
- ― Hangar
| Lv.
|
Cst
|
Price
|
GUN
|
MSL
|
SAAM
|
HVAA
|
HCAA
|
SP
|
MO
|
ST
|
AA
|
AG
|
DF
|
| 1 |
750 |
315,900 |
343 |
120 |
10 |
– |
– |
B+ |
C+ |
D |
B+ |
D |
E+
|
| 2 |
795 |
63,180 |
377 |
122 |
14 |
– |
– |
B+ |
C+ |
D+ |
B+ |
D |
D
|
| 3 |
840 |
88,460 |
411 |
124 |
16 |
– |
– |
A |
B |
D+ |
A |
D |
D+
|
| 4 |
885 |
128,470 |
445 |
126 |
18 |
14 |
– |
A+ |
B+ |
D+ |
A+ |
D+ |
C
|
| 5 |
930 |
197,970 |
480 |
128 |
20 |
16 |
– |
S |
A |
C |
A+ |
D+ |
C+
|
| 6 |
975 |
547,560[a] |
514 |
130 |
22 |
18 |
– |
S |
A+ |
C |
A+ |
D+ |
B
|
| 7 |
1020 |
263,250 |
548 |
132 |
24 |
20 |
46 |
S+ |
A+ |
C |
S |
D+ |
B+
|
| 8 |
1065 |
400,140 |
583 |
134 |
26 |
22 |
50 |
S+ |
S |
C+ |
S |
D+ |
A
|
| 9 |
1110 |
600,210 |
617 |
136 |
27 |
23 |
52 |
S+ |
S+ |
C+ |
S+ |
C |
S
|
| 10 |
1155 |
989,820 |
652 |
138 |
28 |
24 |
54 |
S+ |
S+ |
C+ |
S+ |
C |
S+
|
| 11 |
1202 |
1,979,640 |
686 |
142 |
29 |
25 |
56 |
S+ |
S+ |
B |
S+ |
C |
S+
|
| 12 |
1249 |
2,063,880 |
720 |
146 |
30 |
26 |
58 |
S+ |
S+ |
B |
S+ |
C |
S+
|
| 13 |
1296 |
3,032,640 |
755 |
150 |
31 |
27 |
60 |
S+ |
S+ |
B+ |
S+ |
C |
S+
|
| 14 |
1343 |
4,254,120 |
789 |
154 |
32 |
28 |
62 |
S++ |
S+ |
B+ |
S+ |
C |
S+
|
| 15 |
1390 |
5,180,760 |
824 |
158 |
34 |
30 |
66 |
S++ |
S+ |
B+ |
S+ |
C |
S++
|
| 16 |
1456 |
7,539,480 |
856 |
160 |
35 |
31 |
68 |
S++ |
S+ |
A |
S+ |
C+ |
S++
|
| 17 |
1515 |
8,634,600 |
888 |
162 |
36 |
32 |
70 |
S++ |
S++ |
A |
S+ |
C+ |
S++
|
| 18 |
1574 |
9,708,660 |
920 |
164 |
37 |
33 |
72 |
S++ |
S++ |
A+ |
S++ |
C+ |
S++
|
| 19 |
1633 |
12,404,340 |
952 |
166 |
38 |
34 |
74 |
S++ |
S++ |
A+ |
S++ |
B |
S++
|
| 20 |
1692 |
15,626,520 |
984 |
168 |
40 |
36 |
76 |
S++ |
S++ |
A+ |
S++ |
B |
S++
|
- Part Slots
- At Lv.1, this aircraft carried 24 BODY, 26 ARMS, and 25 MISC part slots. See Tuning § Slot Expansion for further information.
- Nicknames
- Upgrading this aircraft to these levels unlocked the respective nicknames for use at any time.
- Lv.3: Spider
- Lv.10: Grey Ghost
- Lv.15: Good Loser
- Lv.20: Rough Diamond
Skin Galleries
Description
- Grey Ghost livery
Gallery
Description
- Digital camouflage pattern
Availability
Gallery
Description
- Original "Black Widow II" livery
Availability
Gallery
Description
- White, red, and purple livery from Air Combat
Availability
Gallery
Description
- Black, blue, and purple livery; variation of “AC” Skin #01
Availability
Gallery
Description
- Wizard Squadron livery
Availability
Gallery
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy
- "This stealth fighter has a unique design, which combines high supersonic speed with low radar observability."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 21: Kingpin on Hard or higher difficulty on a second playthrough. Costs 119,000 credits.
Statistics
Weapons
Colors
- Color 1: Grey camouflage
- Color 2: 2-tone brown camouflage
- Color 3: Spiderweb design similar to Color 5 from Ace Combat: Joint Assault but with red web
- Color 4: Lighter brown version of Color 2
- Color 5: Black/white version of Color 3
- Color 6: Lime green/light brown camouflage
Named Pilots
- Max&Goose - Found in El Dorado. Spawns with the enemy reinforcements.
- Z.O.E. Colonel
Gallery
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
- "This demonstrator aircraft possesses both superior stealth performance and high speed flight performance. Selected as a finalist for the ATF (Advanced Tactical Fighter) competition, this aircraft's unique diamond-shaped wings and angled V-tail fins provide a low radar cross-section and also function to achieve minimal air resistance. The aircraft is commonly known as the "Black Widow II."
Produced under a license from Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation.
YF-23 Black Widow II is a trademark of Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- On the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, the YF-23 was only available as paid downloadable content. It costed USD$5.99 or JPY¥720.
- On the PC Enhanced Edition, the YF-23 is included for free.
- The aircraft can only be used in Free Mission and online modes.
Statistics
- Speed: Superior
- Mobility: Superior
- Stability: Superior
- Fire Power: Superior
- Defense: Superior
Weapons
Colors
- Color 1: USAF "gray ghost" prototype gray
- Color 2: USAF digital camouflage
- Color 3: USAF black prototype livery with high-visibility roundels
Gallery
Ace Combat: Joint Assault
- "This stealth fighter has a unique design, which combines high supersonic speed with low radar observability."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 12B: Nightwatch (12B) on the second playthrough or clear mission 19: Desert Gust on the second playthrough.
Statistics
Weapons
Colors
- C1: Gray Ghost body.
- C2: Gray digital camouflage.
- C3: Black Widow II body.
- C4: Solid white with blue wing trim. Vaguely resembles the Rockwell-MBB X-31 demonstrator.
- C5: Black and red body with spiderwebs on wings.
- C6: Wizard Squadron livery.
Named Units
- Bloodstone - Found in Dragon Lair. Spawns in the southeastern corner of the map in the beginning of the mission and flies to the north. Will leave the map if not engaged by player.
Gallery
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
- "This supersonic stealth fighter is know for its unique design, which achieves minimal air resistance and radar operability."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 12C: Wild Card. Costs 46,600 credits.
Statistics
Weapons
Named Pilots
- Spider - Found in Armada. Spawns to the south after both carrier-borne F-35s are shot down.
Skins
- Aurelia: Gray Ghost body.
- Leasath: Gray digital camouflage.
- Special 1: Black Widow II body.
- Special 2: Solid white with blue wing trim. Vaguely resembles the Rockwell-MBB X-31 demonstrator.
Gallery
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
- "Nicknamed the "Black Widow II," this supersonic stealth fighter is known for its unique design, which achieves minimal air resistance and radar observability."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 16: The Demon of the Round Table on Knight Ace Style, and defeat the Wizard Team. It costs 133,000 credits to purchase.
Statistics
- Speed: 83
- Mobility: 83
- Stability: 80
- Defense: 66
- Air-to-Air: 94
- Air-to-Ground: 58
Weapons
Colors
- Standard: Gray ghost livery
- Mercenary: White body
- Soldier: Original Black Widow II livery
- Knight: Black and white camouflage
- Special: Wizard Team livery
Named Pilots
Gallery
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
- "Nicknamed the "Black Widow II," this supersonic stealth fighter is known for its unique design, which achieves minimal air resistance and radar reflectivity."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- The YF-23A is unlocked after completing campaign mission 16B, "Desert Lightning". Each unit costs 22,500.
Statistics
- Speed: 83
- Mobility: 83
- Stability: 80
- Defense: 66
- Air-to-Air: 94
- Air-to-Ground: 58
Weapons
Colors
- OS: Gray ghost livery
- RZ: Original Black Widow II livery
- BL: White body
Gallery
The YF-23A in Osean colors
Razgriz color in the hangar
The YF-23A in Belkan colors
Ace Combat 2
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 14A: El Dorado or 14B: Dark Star. Costs 210,000 credits. Available on both normal and extra mode.
Statistics
- Power: 90
- Defense: 60
- Mobility: 60
- Stability: 90
- Climbing Ability: 80
- Air-to-Air: 80
- Air-to-Ground: 80
- Duration of flight: 16 minutes
- Absorbability: Normal
Weapons
Named Pilots
Gallery
Air Combat
The aircraft is displayed as YF-23.
How to Unlock
- EASY
- Complete mission 5: Destroy Pipe-Lines
- Complete mission 6: Destroy Production Site
- NORMAL
- Complete mission 9: Destroy Military Port Facilities
- HARD
- Complete mission 11: Repel Enemy from Captured Port
Price
- $9,000,000 - original price
- $8,100,000 - after first discount
- $7,200,000 - after second discount
- $5,400,000 - after third discount
Statistics
- Defense: 4
- Power: 5
- Mobility: 3
- Offense: 1
- Stability: 1
Named Pilots
Gallery
Trivia
- In Ace Combat: Assault Horizon, all three of the YF-23's liveries feature an "EG" tailcode, likely standing for Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
- ↑ Players could use one Nonstandard Upgrade Request Form instead of credits for the Lv.6 upgrade.
References
A wallpaper featuring the aircraft
Zone of Endless livery
Lynx
Two Erusean YF-23s over Artiglio Port
Flyby
Flyby
Flyby
Open weapon bay
Open weapon bay
Firing a missile
Flyby with an MQ-101
Flyby
Hangar view of Skin 01
Hangar view of Skin 02
Hangar view of Skin 03
Hangar view of Skin 04
Hangar view of Skin 05
Hangar view of Skin 06
Hangar view of Skin 07
Hangar view of Skin 08
Cockpit
Instruments
.png)
.png)
