North American XB-70 Valkyrie

Type (Muster)
Experimental bomber and research aircraft (Bomber-Prototyp, später als Versuchsflugzeug verwendet)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
North American Aviation, El Segundo, California

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2

Armament (Bewaffnung): none

Power plant (Antrieb): 6 x General Electric YJ93-GE-3
Power (Leistung): 137,9 kN (14060 kp) each with afterburner

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 59,74 m
Height (Höhe): 9,1 m
Span (Spannweite): 32 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 585,3 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Operating weight empty (Leermasse): 68000 kg
Max. take-off weight (max. Startmasse): 240500 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (max. Fluggeschwindigkeit): Mach 3
Range (Reichweite): 9650 km
Service Ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 21300 m

Customers (Kunden)
USAF/ NASA

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
none

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The XB-70 was designed in the late fifties as a strategic bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons at speeds up to Mach 3. Because of growing costs, the ambitious programme ran into severe political problems. Finally, the whole bomber project was cancelled even before the first of two aircraft was completed. But instead of scrapping the airframes, the officials decided to complete the planes and to use them for test duties. On September 21st, 1964, the first Valkyrie flew from Palmdale to Edwards. After several Air force tests, both of the revolitionary and highly fascinating aircraft (the second crashed later) were turned over to NASA for supersonic research. The last XB-70 flight occurred on February 4th, 1969.

Last updated 2. April 1998

FLUG REVUE, Ubierstr. 83, 53173 Bonn, Germany