XB-70



 XB-70 Valkyrie



Description
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 pilot of the F-104 and the pilot of the XB-70 were killed but, the co-piolet of the XB-70 managed to eject and suffered sevear back injuries due to the low altitude of ejection. 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 this high-flying aircraft had to Soviet surface-to-air missile batteries.

Appearances - Zero

Just like other aircraft throughout the series (like the EK-17U), the XB-70 makes a single appearance in the series. In the mission Glacial Skies, during Ace/Expert difficulties, Wal will appear just north of the bombers. However, there's some occasions where he will not appear, foring to to restart the level.

Ace Squadrons/Pilots
-Wal (BAF/ACZ)

Comparable Aircraft
-T-4 -Avro 730

Related Development
-XF-108A Rapier