The forgotten supersonic jet that nearly outpaced Concorde
Just five years prior to Concorde's iconic debut, a remarkable supersonic aircraft soared through the clouds, poised to ignite the race for an even speedier passenger plane.
Sixty years ago in September 1964, the XB-70 Valkyrie, an experimental aircraft created for the US Air Force, took its first flight. This moment marked the beginning of a remarkable era for supersonic planes. With a top speed of over 2,000 miles per hour, the XB-70 Valkyrie was nearly 50% faster than Concorde, setting the stage for even faster passenger planes.
Tony Landis, a historian at the Air Force Materiel Command in Dayton, Ohio, describes the XB-70 as a stunning aircraft with impressive speed and altitude capabilities, built over 65 years ago. It's hard to believe such a beautiful design was created in a time before today's advanced AI and computer-based engineering.
Despite its beauty and capabilities, the XB-70 program faced challenges. Being a military aircraft, it was already outdated upon its introduction. Additionally, its short lifespan was marked by a tragic accident, and regular flights were tense as the aircraft's components were constantly pushed to their limits.
However, the design of the Valkyrie has made it a symbol of supersonic flight. According to Landis, visitors still stop and gaze at the Valkyrie at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, marveling at its impressive size and unique shape. Many even inquire if it is a new design, as they have never seen anything quite like it.
Unfortunately, the Valkyrie project was deemed a failure from the start.
NASA used the pre-production XB-70 triple-sonic bomber prototype for high-speed research in the. 1960s.
NASA used the pre-production XB-70 triple-sonic bomber prototype for high-speed research in the.1960s.
In 1957, the Air Force chose North American Aviation to develop a bomber that could carry nuclear weapons at high speeds and altitudes. This decision came after a competition between North American Aviation and Boeing.
However, in 1960, the downing of an American U-2 spy plane over the Soviet Union led to a change in focus from manned bombers to ballistic missiles. President Kennedy, in 1961, expressed doubts about the success of the upcoming XB-70 in penetrating enemy defenses. Consequently, the program's objective shifted towards high-speed flight research.
The first XB-70, known as Valkyrie after a naming contest, was unveiled in Palmdale, California on May 11, 1964. This impressive aircraft had a wingspan exceeding 100 feet, six General Electric turbojet engines at the rear, and a length of 185 feet, making it one of the most remarkable planes ever constructed.
A retired British-Airways Concorde supersonic airliner was recently spotted being transported on a barge up the Hudson River in Bayonne, New Jersey. The Concorde, one of seven owned by British Airways, had undergone a restoration project at the GMD Shipyard in Brooklyn before making its way to Weeks Marine in Jersey City for temporary storage. The iconic aircraft will eventually be returned to the Intrepid Museum for display.
BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY - MARCH 13: A retired British-Airways Concorde supersonic airliner is moved on a barge up the Hudson River on March 13, 2024 seen from Bayonne, New Jersey. The Concorde, one of a fleet of seven once owned by British-Airways, departed the Brooklyn Navy Yard following a months-long restoration project at the GMD Shipyard en route to the Weeks Marine in Jersey City, N.J. for overnight storage before it is returned to the Intrepid Museum. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images
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The Concorde airplane, known for breaking records, was seen floating down New York's Hudson River. One of its unique features was its horizontal wingtips at subsonic speeds, which would fold down when flying supersonic to reduce drag. Both Concorde and its Soviet counterpart, the Tupolev Tu-144, shared design elements like delta-shaped wings and a long, thin fuselage. The Tu-144 even had canards, or winglets, behind the cockpit like the XB-70, providing pilots with better control at lower speeds.
During the 1960s, there was a significant focus on developing a supersonic transport, with both the military and civil sectors investing heavily in this endeavor. Initially, many aircraft companies centered their designs around the XB-70, according to Landis.
As more knowledge was gathered, these designs evolved into more sophisticated versions like the Concorde. Additionally, there were other projects that never materialized beyond the planning stage, such as the proposed Concorde competitors from Lockheed and Boeing, as mentioned by Landis.
Fake windows
The aircraft was powered by six General Electric turbjet engines at the back.
The aircraft was powered by six General Electric turbjet engines at the back.
United States Air Force
Once the Valkyrie's role as a bomber was no longer the focus, the designers explored other potential uses for the plane. According to Landis, the North American engineers brainstormed various ideas for the aircraft. However, the only idea that was seriously considered was transforming it into a transport version for both military and civilian purposes.
Three different variations were proposed for the transport version. These options included a high-density configuration capable of accommodating 158 passengers, as well as a "deluxe" arrangement with 114 seats that featured a lounge area in the middle of the passenger compartment.
"While the first XB-70 was undergoing inspections and upgrades at Palmdale, North American saw a chance to enhance the marketing of the transport variant. They added fake window markings to one side of the aircraft. These markings were later removed before the aircraft resumed its flight testing," Landis explains.
An airplane of Lufthansa, type Airbus A340, flies past the moon in a blue sky during its landing approach in Essen, Germany, 25 August 2016. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa | usage worldwide (Photo by Federico Gambarini/picture alliance via Getty Images)
An Airbus A340 aircraft from Lufthansa flies past the moon in a clear blue sky as it prepares to land in Essen, Germany on August 25, 2016. The captivating moment was captured by Federico Gambarini and the photo is available for worldwide use. (Photo by Federico Gambarini/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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It's difficult to imagine what it would have been like for passengers on such a plane. According to Landis, the experience would have been similar to Concorde: smooth, quiet, and with plenty of space between seats. However, due to the high operating costs and limited seating, it would probably have been affordable only to the upper middle class and wealthy individuals.
Most importantly, the plane would have been incredibly fast, making the journey from London to New York in just two and a half hours, compared to Concorde's usual three and a half hours.
Other proposed versions of the plane envisioned it as a launch platform for orbital spacecraft and even Minuteman missiles. However, none of these ideas came to fruition, just like the passenger version.
Sadly, a fatal crash occurred.
The XB-70 Valkyrie just after collision.
The XB-70 Valkyrie just after collision.
The XB-70 program was unfortunately ended prematurely due to a tragic accident in 1966. During a photoshoot arranged by General Electric, the second Valkyrie aircraft collided midair with a smaller F-104N plane. This accident resulted in the loss of both pilots on board the Valkyrie, with one surviving pilot sustaining serious injuries.
The Valkyrie that was destroyed only had 46 flights logged. The remaining Valkyrie completed its career after 83 flights, with many of them being used by NASA as a supersonic testbed. In total, it spent just over 160 hours in the air.
The very last flight took place on February 4, 1969. It was to transport the plane from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. There, the aircraft became a part of the Air Force Museum's collection.
The XB-70 may not have reached its full potential, but its legacy remains strong. According to Landis, the work done on the XB-70 has had a lasting impact on the design of large, high-speed aircraft. The data collected from research flights continues to influence the development of future aircraft.
Editor's P/S:
Sixty years ago, the XB-70 Valkyrie took to the skies, showcasing the potential of supersonic flight. Despite its impressive speed and altitude capabilities, the XB-70 program faced challenges and was ultimately deemed a failure. However, its legacy lives on, influencing the design of future aircraft and serving as a symbol of supersonic flight.
The XB-70's short lifespan and tragic accident highlight the risks associated with pushing technological boundaries. Yet, its design has captivated the imagination of aviation enthusiasts and remains a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of speed and innovation. The Valkyrie's story reminds us that even in the face of setbacks, the pursuit of technological advancement can leave a lasting impact on the future of aviation. have provided invaluable lessons for the development of future aircraft, paving the way for advancements in high-speed flight and space exploration. The Valkyrie's legacy extends beyond its physical existence, serving as a reminder of the indomitable spirit of innovation and the relentless quest for pushing the boundaries of human flight.
