Price of Victory

Alternate History: Despite its technical merits and initial popularity with the public eye, the F-23 Black Widow II ultimately became a victim of its own success. The end of the Cold War, government mismanagement, cost overruns and an array of developmental issues have persisted up to its IOC in 2006.

In fact, there has been a re-appreciation of its failed competitor, the YF-22 Lightning II. With many aviation enthusiasts now lamenting what could have been if the more conservative airframe was chosen instead. With the reality of modern fighter development, perhaps expectations were simply too high for the F-23. The price of victory weighs heavily indeed. The airframe's exotic profile is certainly unique to say the least. With a disparaging nickname "Black Weirdo" thrown around by its vocal critics. The Russians call it an equally snide "Widowmaker" as well.

Hindsight may be 20/20, but America's air dominance for the next few decades rests on the visually unconventional but technically sophisticated F-23. A 150 unit production cap has been set by the Gore Administration. This limited number effectively makes the Black Widow an elite craft for USAF pilots.