The Boeing YF-118G is a fighter aircraft built to test the design of ‘invisible’ aircrafts as well as new ways to build them.
This model is in the National Museum of US Air Force in Ohio along with other well-known aircrafts such as the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki and the former Air Force One used by various US presidents. There are generally more than 360 aircraft and missiles there.
The YF-118G has been there since 2002.
It was developed from a collaboration between Boeing and McDonnell Douglas in the 1990s. It was a secret project that lasted from 1992 to 1999.
This work was done to examine the low detection property from radars and new design and construction techniques. Specifically, the method of using large single pieces for construction and virtual reality were examined.
It had a Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5C engine and was a single-seater.
It operated a total of 38 flights from 1996 to 1999 in the top secret Area 51.
With the results obtained the company was able to develop the X-32 and X-45 aircraft which was unmanned.
[Source: http://www.nationalinterest.org]
