The Martin XB-48 was an American medium jet bomber developed in the mid-1940s. It competed with the Boeing B-47 Stratojet, which proved to be a superior design, and was largely considered as a backup plan in case the B-47 ran into development problems.

Explosive yield varied from 70 kilotons of TNT to 1 megaton of TNT. The B43 used the Tsetse primary design for its fission stage, as did several mid- and late-1950s designs. The B43 was one of four thermonuclear gravity bombs carried by Canadian CF-104 jets while serving in Germany between June 1964 and 1972. [1]

Dec 6, 2018 · Powered by six turbojet engines, this swept wing bomber can fly higher and faster than any bomber in its class. Twenty-nine of these aircraft will be used on various Teapot shots. Most of them are reconnaissance types which are being employed on photographic missions. | National Nuclear Security Administration / Public Domain.

Designed to replace the subsonic Boeing B-47 Stratojet strategic bomber, the B-58 became notorious for its sonic boom heard on the ground by the public as it passed overhead in supersonic flight. [4]

The XB-48 had retractable bomb-bay doors, a feature that sprang from the fact that all new medium and heavy bombers had to be capable of carrying the so-called "Grand Slam" bombs, as well...

Jun 7, 2023 · The bomb bay was extremely large as the specification called for the aircraft to both be capable of carrying the massive T-14 bomb, the American version of the British Grand Slam bomb and the early, and extremely bulky, nuclear weapons.

Jun 23, 2023 · Although it may not be the most famous, the XB-48 bomber, an experimental jet bomber designed and built by the Glenn L. Martin Company during the late 1940s, represents a significant leap in the advancement of jet-powered aircraft.

Jan 29, 2019 · In 1944, American authorities put forth a requirement calling for a jet-powered, medium-class bomber and this led to the emergence of several notable designs of the wartime period.

The B-48 could carry a single 20,000lb bomb over a short distance, or 8,000lb of bombs over 2,500 miles. Power came from six Allison J35-A-5 turbojets. Martin produced two prototypes, the first of which made its maiden flight on 22 June 1947.

Apr 11, 2015 · Interesting vintage film shows the six J35 engines mounted beneath the wings of the XB-48; turning radius on bicycle-style landing gear is demonstrated. For more Bombers on the Airailimages...