The Airplane That Looked Fake, But Was 100% Real
YouTube / Not What You Think
The XB-70 Valkyrie was envisioned as the ultimate high-speed, high-altitude manned strategic bomber, with a planned cruise speed of Mach 3 at 70,000 feet. However, its role in aviation history took a different turn.
Valkyrie’s Origins
The U.S. Air Force issued General Operational Requirement No. 38 for a new bomber with the range and payload of the B-52, but with a top speed of Mach 2.
Boeing and North American Aviation presented designs, but North American’s innovative approach won the contract. Their design included experimental features like canards, variable wing geometry, and a high-pressure inlet system for six powerful engines.
Standout Feature
One detail that secured the contract for North American was the XB-70’s ability to lower its wingtips, exploiting a phenomenon called “compression lift.”
When an aircraft moves at supersonic speeds, it generates shockwaves. If these shockwaves’ high pressure is captured beneath the wing, additional lift is generated. The XB-70’s folding wingtips were designed to trap these shockwaves.
Soviet Influence
Interestingly, the Soviets played an indirect role in the XB-70 program. High-drag areas of the plane, like the nose cone and engine inlets, required titanium, a material the U.S. lacked.
To acquire it, the U.S. used shell companies and other means to obtain titanium from the Soviets, which was also used in high-tech planes like the SR-71.
The Program’s Demise
The downing of U-2 planes marked the beginning of the end for the XB-70 program. Until then, the Pentagon believed that Soviet anti-aircraft systems couldn’t reach planes flying at 70,000 feet.
At the same time, nuclear first-strike capabilities were shifting from bombers to ICBMs, rendering the XB-70 obsolete.
Did It Create the F-15?
Ironically, the XB-70 program indirectly led to the creation of the F-15. Soviet efforts to counter the XB-70 with the MiG-25 Foxbat spurred the U.S. to develop the F-15 Eagle as a response.
In the end, the Valkyrie never fulfilled its original mission, but it left a significant legacy in military aviation
