✈️ Full Specifications
| Designation | XB-70A |
| Manufacturer | North American Aviation |
| Country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| First Flight | 1964 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Length | 56.39 m (185 ft) |
| Max Speed (Mach) | 3.08 |
| Max Speed | 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 |
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.
Video
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.