At the time of testing the yf-23 was more advanced and had greater flight performance. After the showdown the f22 was chosen for thrust vectoring and politics. It was then almost redesigned to become the f22a. If The government was so impressed with thrust vectoring, I'm convinced that the production yf23 variant could have been modified to take them. The diamond shaped planform would probably suit TV more than the f22. The raptor has become a national concern whilst the production f23 in my opinion would have kicked ass.
