The XB-70 was a bomber developed in the early 1960’s as a follow on high-speed replacement for the B-47. Although none were actually delivered to the Air Force, 2 test prototype versions were developed and flown extensively.
The XB-70 had many unique features; it was the first A/C to use extensive stainless steel honeycomb construction, engine installation was another ground-breaking feature on the Valkyrie, everything was bolted to the engine itself, making engine removal and replacement a job that could be done in just a couple of hours. The wings were another unique item, in flight, the XB-70 could lower the outer wing sections either 25 degrees for flying from 300 knots to Mach 1.4, or 65 degrees for speeds from Mach 1.4 to Mach 3+. Measuring just a bit over 20 feet at the trailing edge, these wingtips represent the largest movable aerodynamic device ever used.
The Valkyrie was truly an amazing aircraft with both jets running many hours at Mach 3, developing all kinds of aerodynamic data that was used in later A/C development programs. The Air Force left the program after the second prototype was lost in a mid air collision with an F-104 killing one of the crew and the Starfighter pilot. NASA flew the jet on 33 more research flights with the final flight to the Air Force museum at Wright Patterson AFB in February of 1969.
Specs
Crew: 2
Length: 185 Ft 10 in (56.6 m)
Wing Span: 105 ft 0 in (32 m)
Height: 30 ft 9 in (9.4 m)
Wing area: 6,296 ft² (585 m²)
Airfoil: Hexagonal; 0.30 Hex modified root, 0.70 Hex modified tip
Empty weight: 210,000 lbs (93,000 kg)
Loaded weight: 534,700 lb (242,500 kg)
Max takeoff weight : 550,000 lb (250,000 kg)
Power plant: 6× GE Y93 turbojets 28,000 lbs of thrust) each
Max Speed: Mach 3.1 (2,056mph, 3,309 km/h)
Cruise Speed:Mach 3.0 (2,000 mph, 3,219 km/h)
Range: 4,288 mi (7,900 km) combat
Service ceiling: 77,350 ft (23,600 m)
The XB-70 had many unique features; it was the first A/C to use extensive stainless steel honeycomb construction, engine installation was another ground-breaking feature on the Valkyrie, everything was bolted to the engine itself, making engine removal and replacement a job that could be done in just a couple of hours. The wings were another unique item, in flight, the XB-70 could lower the outer wing sections either 25 degrees for flying from 300 knots to Mach 1.4, or 65 degrees for speeds from Mach 1.4 to Mach 3+. Measuring just a bit over 20 feet at the trailing edge, these wingtips represent the largest movable aerodynamic device ever used.
The Valkyrie was truly an amazing aircraft with both jets running many hours at Mach 3, developing all kinds of aerodynamic data that was used in later A/C development programs. The Air Force left the program after the second prototype was lost in a mid air collision with an F-104 killing one of the crew and the Starfighter pilot. NASA flew the jet on 33 more research flights with the final flight to the Air Force museum at Wright Patterson AFB in February of 1969.
Specs
Crew: 2
Length: 185 Ft 10 in (56.6 m)
Wing Span: 105 ft 0 in (32 m)
Height: 30 ft 9 in (9.4 m)
Wing area: 6,296 ft² (585 m²)
Airfoil: Hexagonal; 0.30 Hex modified root, 0.70 Hex modified tip
Empty weight: 210,000 lbs (93,000 kg)
Loaded weight: 534,700 lb (242,500 kg)
Max takeoff weight : 550,000 lb (250,000 kg)
Power plant: 6× GE Y93 turbojets 28,000 lbs of thrust) each
Max Speed: Mach 3.1 (2,056mph, 3,309 km/h)
Cruise Speed:Mach 3.0 (2,000 mph, 3,219 km/h)
Range: 4,288 mi (7,900 km) combat
Service ceiling: 77,350 ft (23,600 m)
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