It has the distinction of being the first operational jet bomber to enter service with the United States Air Force (USAF), as well as the first multiengine jet bomber to be refueled in midair. [1]

On March 17, 1947, the North American B-45 Tornado, a fine but often forgotten plane, made its first flight and was fielded for duty a year later, becoming the first U.S. jet-powered nuclear bomber. Alarmed by the development and deployment of the Arado 234 jet bomber by Nazi Germany, the U.S. scrambled to produce a jet bomber of its own.

North American B-45A-5-NA Tornado (Serial No. 47-025) on a bomb run. The North AmericanB-45 Tornado is an early American jet bomber designed and manufactured byaircraft company North American Aviation.

Jan 19, 2023 · Specifications for the Tornado – courtesy of the Boeing Historical Snapshot info page – include a fuselage length of 89 feet – making it a light bomber by modern-day standards – a wingspan of 75 feet 11 inches, and a gross weight of 82,600 pounds.

The B-45 Tornado was the first American four-engine jet bomber to fly, and the first American production jet bomber, built by North American Aviation. It was also the first jet bomber capable of carrying an atomic bomb, and the first multi-jet reconnaissance aircraft to refuel in mid-air.

Design of the Tornado began during World War II, and the B-45 made its first flight in March 1947. North American built 142 B-45s, including 10 long-range B-45Cs with wingtip fuel tanks and 33 RB-45Cs configured for high-altitude photo reconnaissance and aerial refueling.

Apr 14, 2018 · Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the North American B-45 Tornado Jet-Powered Bomber Aircraft . Notable series variants as part of the North American B-45 Tornado family line.

Nov 7, 2017 · Although it incorporated the latest technology for its engines by using J47 turbojets, the B-45 had a straight (unswept) wing reminiscent of the slower reciprocating engine bombers built during the war years. A dedicated gunner’s position was incorporated beneath the vertical tail with two 12.7mm Browning machine guns for limited self-defense.

The B-45 program included 3 experimental XB-45s aircraft (one of which was completed as a preproduction example), 96 production B-45As (some of which were designated as B-45A-5s reflecting in-production improvements), 10 B-45Cs , and 33 RB-45Cs.

It was known as the first operational jet bomber that served the United States Air Force, and the first multi-engine jet bomber to be refueled in midair.