Xb 70 what if

The XB was also pitched as a partner with the very system that made it obsolete: the ballistic missile. Theoretically, this would've given the Air Force greater flexibility in wartime, launching an ICBM against the Soviet Union from a new and unexpected direction. But it was an awfully expensive way to launch just one or two missiles. Finally, engineers tried to sell the the XB in a most absurd configuration: as a military jetliner or ambulance.

It was even pitched as a cargo transport, with a hinged cabin allowing the loading of cargo pallets. Needless to say, none of these ideas passed the cost-to-utility test, as the Valkyrie would've been the most expensive people-mover ever pressed into service.

Ultimately, there really wasn't any other mission suitable for the revolutionary XB The airplane's excessive cost made practically every other mission prohibitively expensive, and today, the last prototype aircraft resides at the National Museum of the U.

Air Force. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. The aircraft ran into development difficulties, powerful Soviet air defenses and sky-high costs, eventually forcing its cancelation.

The Air Force and North American Aviation, hoping to spur wider interest, came up with a variety of alternate uses for the XB, some of which were of questionable practicality. XB prototype in flight, date unknown.

Universal History Archive Getty Images. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Related Story. XB prototype landing. The SR was just a bit faster and flew 10, to 15, ft higher. That along with the 1st real. Also I've read that the high altitude doctrine faced the problem of the targets being known ahead of time, therefore defended by fixed launch sites.

Whereas as SR wasn't predictable. I was thinking that too. It appears that cost was the big factor. Survivability was one excuse, but not the determining factor the the big bomber's demise. North American and Boeing were also asked to give the bomber low level capability in the initial design request.

I've never read about how well the North American final design worked at low level though. Back to the original question, one of these would look awesome with the SR paint scheme. I've always been enamored by the Valkyrie. With the canards, and long fuselage it kind of reminds me of an angry viper.

In a lot of ways this aircraft is even more impressive than the Habu. Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Login or Register. COM Enter keywords or a search phrase below: Search. XB as an operational Bomber? Order Ascending Order Descending. Kilroy Was Here. Member since January My first thought was black ala U-2 or SR Anyway thought I'd toss this one out here and see what comes of it.

Tags: Valkyrie , XB Member since September What a question! SEA camouflage of course. After all the B was metal finish. By that time the British V force was white with low absorption anti flash markings. Modeling is an excuse to buy books. Member since July From: Sonora Desert.

Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, July 9, PM. Member since November From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis By valor and arms.

Posted by mississippivol on Wednesday, July 9, PM. Don Stauffer. I'd go for the bm over white. It was not supposed to have any stealth stuff.

Member since April Posted by r13b20 on Thursday, July 10, PM. LOL Mississippi. Bob :. Member since March From: Boston. Posted by mach71 on Thursday, July 10, PM. However, federal budget cutbacks and advances in Soviet air defenses resulted in an emphasis on less expensive and theoretically more survivable intercontinental ballistic missiles as the mainstay of U. On April 10, , the Air Force cut back the B to a research program, and only two of the aircraft would be built.

The inlet wedge at the front of the delta wings would create a disturbance in that shock wave, causing it to slow and build pressure under the wings, generating up to 40 pounds per square foot 1.

To increase directional stability and cruise efficiency, and to hold the shock wave, a third of the wing could fold down as much as 65 degrees. To avoid using rare and expensive titanium, NAA came up with a high strength skin that could beat the heat by developing a steel honeycomb sandwich skin that was manufactured using brazing to join metal to metal, rather than welding.

This technique later became widely used throughout the aerospace industry.