XB-70

XB-70 Valkyrie - Experimental Mach-3 Bomber -

XB-70 Image #2

ORIGIN: (Real World) United States of America

GAMES FEATURED IN: Ace Combat 2 Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation

OPERATORS: Belkan Air Force Estovakian Air Force Federal Erusian Air Force Usean Rebel Force

ACE SQUADRONS/PILOT: Wal / BAF (ACZ)

BIO: An aircraft ahead of its time, and then lagging far behind it in the end, the XB-70 Valkyrie was an experimental bomber meant to cruise at mach 3 and fly out of range of Soviet missile sites to deliver its nuclear payload. Fitted with six J93 engines in tandem, the XB-70 had 28,000 thrust-pounds per engine coming out of its rear to produce its signature mach 3+ speeds. With a maximum loaded weight of 550,000 pounds, the Valkyrie could achieve ranges of over 4000 miles, a remarkable acheivement. Despite its incredible performance, the Valkyrie was stricken to the boneyard after a GE photoshoot on June 8, 1966 resulted in the destruction of the second prototype due to a mid-air collision with an F-104. The XB-70 program was scrapped soon after, however this was not due to the afore-mentioned accident, but rather because of the newly-affixed vulnerability high-flying aircraft had to Soviet surface-to-air missile batteries.

SOURCE: NASA X-series Research Aircraft - http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/gallery2.htm

ACCREDITATION: Ribbon-Vermilion for providing the new image.