That summer, Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger ordered the Navy to evaluate the competitors in the Air Force's Lightweight Fighter (LWF) program, the General Dynamics YF-16 and Northrop YF-17.
Pada musim panas itu, Menteri Pertahanan Schlesinger memerintahkan Angkatan Laut untuk memberi penilaian pesawat pesaing di Program Pesawat Tempur Ringan Angkatan Udara Amerika Serikat (LWF), General Dynamics YF-16 dan Northrop YF-17.