Product Description

The North American XB-70 Valkyrie was an attempt to build the ultimate offensive weapon for the Cold War--a heavy bomber capable of flying at Mach 3 and reaching targets deep inside the Soviet Union. The aircraft that emerged to satisfy the requirement was one of the most graceful large aircraft ever to fly, and one that looked every bit as fast on the ground as it was in the air--over 2,000 mph at high altitude. It was years ahead of its time. But politics and changing requirements ultimately doomed the Valkyrie program to only two aircraft. Neither was a true prototype of a weapons system, and instead was used to test the concept of such a large aircraft flying so fast.

The authors have uncovered a great deal of new material on the XB-70 program--both on the aircraft as flown, and on what the proposed production aircraft would have looked like had they been built. Many never-before-seen photographs and drawings are included in the book. Details of the defensive and offensive weapons systems are included. The authors also attempt to place the aircraft in historical perspective with the politics and economic realities that caused its cancellation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #424692 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04-04
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.04 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 104 pages