The Lightweight Fighter (LWF) program was a United States Air Force technology evaluation program initiated in the late 1960s by a group of officers and defense analysts known as the "Fighter Mafia".

2016年12月21日 · Five major contractors competed for the LWF. They were Boeing, General Dynamics, Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV), Lockheed, and Northrop. In April 1972 the Air Force picked its two finalists. General Dynamics and Northrop would each build two prototypes of their designs, called, respectively, the YF-16 and YF-17.

The Northrop YF-17 (nicknamed "Cobra") is a prototype lightweight fighter aircraft designed by Northrop aviation for the United States Air Force's Lightweight Fighter (LWF) technology evaluation program.

To that end, the Air Force fostered the development of dazzling jet fighters that could reach the stratosphere quickly, and unleash guided missiles at an attacker too distant to be seen.

2022年4月28日 · The LWF Model G was a multi-purpose two-man aircraft designed by LWF in 1918. While it was originally designed as a reconnaissance plane, it was redesigned to be equipped as a heavy fighter or bomber.

2025年2月12日 · Established in early 1972, the LWF program pursued three key objectives: exploring the integration of new technologies, reducing financial risk through a “low-cost” fighter concept, and providing the Department of Defense (DoD) with a …

YF-16 conformed to the LWF strategy, weighing 14,023 pounds, equipped with two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. The first YF-16 rolled out of the General Dynamics plant at Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 13, 1973, its unique, futuristic shape accentuated by a color - ful red, white, and blue color scheme. Media coverage was extensive, fostering

The Lightweight Fighter (LWF) program was a United States Air Force technology evaluation program initiated in the late 1960s by a group of officers and defense analysts known as the...

A light fighter or lightweight fighter is a fighter aircraft towards the low end of the practical range of weight, cost, and complexity over which fighters are fielded. [1][2] The light or lightweight fighter retains carefully selected competitive features, in order to provide cost-effective design and performance. [3][4]

The purpose of the LWF was to complement the air-superiority mission of the F-15 with a smaller and less high-tech air defense fighter. The Light Weight Fighter Request for Proposal (RFP) emphasized high thrust-to-weight ratio, low weight, and low cost.