✈️ Aircraft Specifications
| Designation | XB-70A |
| Manufacturer | North American Aviation |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| First Flight | 1964 |
| Length | 56.39 m (185 ft) |
| Max Speed (Mach) | 3.08 |
| Max Speed (km/h) | 3,309 km/h |
| Service Ceiling | 23,600 m (77,432 ft) |
| Range | 6,900 km (4,285 mi) |
| Engine | 6× General Electric YJ93-GE-3 turbojets |
| Crew | 2 |
| Status | Retired |
Overview
The XB-70 Valkyrie was one of the most extraordinary aircraft ever built—a Mach 3+ strategic bomber prototype weighing over 240,000 pounds. It was designed to ride its own supersonic shock wave using compression lift, a revolutionary concept that has yet to be replicated at this scale.
Design & Development
The Valkyrie’s enormous delta wing could fold its wingtips down 65° at high speed, trapping the supersonic shock wave beneath the aircraft to generate additional lift—known as compression lift. Six YJ93 turbojet engines powered this 56-meter-long giant. The airframe was primarily constructed from stainless steel honeycomb sandwich panels to withstand Mach 3 heating.
Operational History
Only two XB-70s were built. AV-1 reached Mach 3.08 in April 1966. Tragically, AV-2 was destroyed on June 8, 1966, when an F-104 flying in formation was drawn into the Valkyrie’s wingtip vortex and collided, killing both the F-104 pilot and XB-70 copilot. The surviving XB-70 is displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Armament
Designed to carry 14× B83 thermonuclear bombs (1.2 MT each) in an internal bomb bay. Never reached production, so weapons integration was never completed. The two prototypes carried only research instruments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the XB-70 Valkyrie?
The XB-70 achieved Mach 3.08 (2,056 mph). It used compression lift — riding its own shockwave — for efficiency at Mach 3.
Why was the XB-70 program cancelled?
Soviet SAMs made high-altitude bombers vulnerable, shifting strategy to low-altitude penetration. ICBMs also reduced the need for crewed strategic bombers.
How many XB-70s were built?
Only 2 XB-70 Valkyries were built. AV-2 was lost in a mid-air collision in 1966. AV-1 survives at the National Museum of the USAF.
Is the XB-70 still in service?
No. The XB-70 was an experimental prototype that never entered production or operational service.