Top Mach Studios is moving forward with its next aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator: the YF-23 Black Widow II. The developer has officially opened beta applications, giving simmers a chance to try the aircraft ahead of its public release and help shape its final stages of development.
The YF-23 is one of the most distinctive stealth aircraft ever built. The YF-23 was Northrop and McDonnell Douglas’s entry into the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, which aimed to replace the F-15 with a next-generation air superiority fighter capable of countering the Soviet Union’s Su-27 and MiG-29. The YF-23 competed against the Lockheed-led YF-22 design. In 1991, the Air Force selected the YF-22, which eventually entered production as the F-22 Raptor.
Only two YF-23 prototypes were built—nicknamed “Black Widow II” and “Grey Ghost.” They never saw operational use but were notable for their stealth characteristics, speed, and unusual design. One is now on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force; the other is at the Western Museum of Flight in California.
Beta phase now open
Top Mach Studios announced the start of the beta phase in a post on Facebook, inviting applications from community members interested in testing the YF-23 before release. While there’s no confirmed launch date yet, this move suggests the project is nearing completion.
The YF-23 will join Top Mach Studios’ growing lineup of military aircraft for MSFS, which already includes the F-22A Raptor, B-2 Spirit, and T-7A Red Hawk. The team has consistently aimed for performance-optimized, visually detailed aircraft with plausible systems and flight models—even when working with platforms like the YF-23, which lack comprehensive real-world documentation.
A unique addition to the MSFS ecosystem
The YF-23 will occupy a relatively uncommon space in MSFS: a prototype aircraft designed for a specific historical context but never placed into active service. For many simmers, it represents an opportunity to explore a “what-if” scenario—flying a high-speed stealth fighter that might have shaped air combat doctrine had it been chosen.
Based on Top Mach Studios’ previous work, the YF-23 will likely feature a high-detail exterior and interior model, custom flight dynamics, and a set of avionics tailored to match the aircraft’s experimental nature. While the final feature set hasn’t been outlined publicly, the current beta will help refine those aspects with community feedback.
Interested simmers can apply to join the beta via this form.
