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1950s US Bombers
Lockheed RB-69A
XB-70A Part II

North American XB-70A
"Valkyrie"

North American XB-70A Valkyrie The XB-70, one of the world's most exotic airplanes, was conceived for the Strategic Air Command in the 1950s as a high-altitude bomber that could fly three times the speed of sound (Mach 3). Because of fund limitations, only two were built, not as bombers, but as research aircraft for the advanced study of aerodynamics, propulsion, and other subjects related to large supersonic aircraft. The Valkyrie was built largely of stainless-steel honeycomb sandwich panels and titanium. It was designed to make use of a phenomenon called "compression lift," achieved when the shock wave generated by the airplane flying at supersonic speeds supports part of the airplane's weight. For improved stability at supersonic speeds, the Valkyrie could droop its wingtips as much as 65 degrees.

The No. 1 XB-70 made its initial flight on September 21, 1964, and achieved Mach 3 flight on October 14, 1965. The No. 2 airplane first flew on July 17, 1965, but on June 8, 1966, it crashed following a mid-air collision. The No. 1 airplane continued in its research program until flown to the Museum on February 4, 1969.

 

TYPE
XB-70A

Number Built/Converted
2

Remarks
Mach 3 bomber
    Notes:
  • Serial numbers: 62-1 & 62-207
  • A third aircraft was ordered as XB-70B with serial number 62-208, but was canceled before construction began.
  • First flight of XB-70A No. 1 was on 21 September 1964
  • First flight of XB-70A No. 2 was on 17 July 1965
  • The first XB-70A, 62-1, is on display at the USAF Museum in the Modern Flight Hangar
  • The second XB-70A, 62-207, crashed after a mid-air collision on 8 June 1966

SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 105 ft.
Length: 185 ft. 10 in. without boom; 192 ft. 2 in. with boom
Height: 30 ft. 9 in.
Tread (distance between main landing gear): 23 ft. 2 in. (strut to strut centerline)
Wheel base: 46 ft. 2 in. (strut to strut centerline)
Weight: 534,700 lbs. loaded
Armament: None (designed for up to 50,000 lbs. of nuclear or conventional bombs carried internally)
Engines: Six General Electric YJ93-GE-3 turbojets of 31,000 lbs. static sea level thrust each with afterburner.
Crew: 2 - Pilot & Copilot

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 2,056 mph. (Mach 3.1) at 73,000 ft.
Cruising speed: 2,000 mph. (Mach 3.0) at 72,000 ft.
Range: 4,288 miles
Service Ceiling: 77,350 ft.

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