The North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie is a retired prototype version of the planned B-70 nuclear-armed, deep-penetration supersonic strategic bomber for the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command.

North American developed the Mach 3 F-108 Rapier to protect the US from future supersonic Soviet bombers. The design shared XB-70 components and materials like its ejection seat, engine, and honeycomb structure. The USAF canceled the Rapier in …

Feb 28, 2014 · The XB-70 Valkyrie, with a planned cruise speed of Mach 3 and operating altitude of 70,000 feet, was to be the ultimate high-altitude, high-speed manned strategic bomber. Events, however, would cause it to play a far different role in the history of aviation.

Mar 18, 2024 · XB-70 Valkyrie: An experimental supersonic aircraft, the XB-70 took to the skies five years before Concorde. Super fast: The XB-70 was capable of flying at just over 2,000 miles per hour,...

Jan 11, 2025 · The XB-70 Valkyrie, designed by North American Aviation, was their answer. The aircraft’s specifications were staggering: A maximum speed of Mach 3.1 (approximately 2,056 mph or 3,310 km/h). A cruising altitude of 70,000 feet, well above the reach of …

Sep 7, 2021 · How did the XB-70’s six engines work? The XB-70’s six General Electric YJ-93-GE-3 engines are turbojets. Each developed up to 30,000 pounds of thrust, and were axial-flow engines, meaning the airflow was parallel to the rotating axis in the center of the engine.

In flight, the XB-70 could lower the outer wing sections 25 degrees for flying from 300 knots to Mach 1.4, or a severe 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 …

Aug 29, 2024 · T he North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie was a planned supersonic strategic bomber replacement for the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and the Corvair B-58 Hustler. The United States Air Force required a bomber that would fly faster and higher than the B-52 and could also evade interceptor aircraft.

Apr 6, 2025 · The XB-70 Valkyrie was mainly built of stainless-steel honeycomb sandwich panels and titanium. It was designed to make use of a phenomenon when the shock wave generated by the airplane flying at supersonic speeds supports part of the airplane's weight, this is called compression lift.

Mar 13, 2025 · In 1957, North American Aviation won the contract to develop XB-70, a delta-winged behemoth designed to cruise at Mach 3 (over 2,300 miles per hour) and altitudes exceeding 70,000 feet, rendering...