Feb 182014
Around 1990, the US Navy considered an F-14 replacement based on either the F-22 or F-23 designs, the Navy Advanced Tactical Fighter (see Aerospace Projects Review issue V3N2 for a whole lot on the Northrop NATF-23). The Lockheed NATF-22 designs seems to have never been fully nailed down, but instead was constantly in flux. But the basic idea was that it would be a navalized version of the F-22 with swing-wings akin to those of the F-14. However, the Navy gave up on the idea in 1992.
Lockheed NATF-22 artwork (via Jay Miller archive)
Side note: if anyone might happen to have good data on the NATF-22 (more than the stuff that showed up in magazines and such at the time), please contact me.
I’ve collected various pieces of artwork on the NATF-22 and related A/F-X over the years, but nothing beyond what’s been posted online. The pic on your blog entry appears to have been an earlier NATF-22 study since it doesn’t have the wing-intake chine yet. The Chine and chin turret were on a display model that made its way to a trade show before NATF cancellation. A two-seat cockpit was added later before the design transitioned from NATF to A-X. Flight International reported in 1994 that a tailless design was studied for A-X, but changing requirements led to the resumption of the NATF-based work. By the time A/F-X ended in late 1993 it appears that Lockheed had concluded it was impractical to have any airframe commonality with the F-22. Still a very cool airplane concept, but probably not affordable on the NavAir budget then, or now!
What would you like to know?
I don’t know the declassification schedule, but there are still quite a few things that can be shared.
Not a frequent visitor here, but if you’fe willing to use PM of slow hand (make it
one word) with a two triple six in numerals on that yay hoo email host, I’d be happy to fill in some info.
(The 2666 has nothing to donwith my callsign”Angel.” It was the last 4 of my cell number when some heathen friends set up the email acct. There might have been some pizza and beer involved 🙄)