Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ginosko!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!uwm.edu!mailrus!ames!amdcad!military From: dlj@ark2.att.com (David L Jacobowitz) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: The XB-70 bomber program Summary: more about it Message-ID: <27444@amdcad.AMD.COM> Date: 23 Sep 89 18:45:08 GMT References: <27390@amdcad.AMD.COM> <27408@amdcad.AMD.COM> Sender: cdr@amdcad.AMD.COM Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 32 Approved: military@amdcad.amd.com From: dlj@ark2.att.com (David L Jacobowitz) I think North American built the XB-70 Valkyrie. It's mission was to be high speed/high altitude (Mach 3/80000 ft) penetration of Soviet airspace to deliver nuclear weapons. It was one of the first airplanes to have canards (i.e. a "tail before the wings" configuration). It also had huge delta wings, with the tips of the wings able to be "bent" downward for high speed supersonic flight. However, while the XB-70 was being developed, the Soviets convinced the US Air Force that high altitude entry into their airspace was not practical. They did this by shooting down Gary Power's U-2 at 70000 ft. Hence the XB-70 never went into production, and the B1 (designed for low altitude entry into Soviet airspace at high subsonic speeds) was developed. Two XB-70 prototypes were built. The accident referred to in another article occurred during an attempt to get a "group photo" with one XB-70 prototype and about five F-104 Starfighters flying close formation. One F-104 got too close to the XB-70, and was "pulled" over the XB-70 by the tremendous airflow over the XB-70's big delta wings (the F-104 kind of barrell-rolled over it). When this occurred, there was contact between the XB-70 and the F-104. I believe the F-104 pilot successfully ejected or regained control of his aircraft, but the XB-70 crashed with at least one fatality. I don't think the other XB-70 prototype was ever flown again. The source for all this is my admittedly hazy recollection from the XB-70 segment of the "Wings, Great Planes" series on The Discovery Channel. -- Dave J. (ark2!dlj) This space intentionally usual disclaimer implied left blank.