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Meet the XB-70 Valkyrie supersonic bomber, which reaches 3x the speed of sound and revolutionizes aviation
Today I'm going to talk about a true aviation legend: the XB-70 Valkyrie supersonic bomber. This air monster was designed by the United States in the 50s and 60s and was capable of reaching three times the speed of sound. Let's understand how he achieved this incredible feat and why he is so special!
The XB-70 Valkyrie was created to replace the B-52 bomber. The idea was to have an intercontinental nuclear bomber that could fly at supersonic speeds. But with the advancement of intercontinental ballistic missiles and surface-to-air missile air defense systems, the Valkyrie's role has changed. It ended up being used by NASA for experiments at supersonic speeds, helping to develop technologies for future supersonic passenger aircraft.
XB-70 Valkyrie supersonic bomber innovations
This giant plane was 56,6 meters long, had a wingspan of 32 meters and was an incredible 9,14 meters high. It weighed up to 246 tons at takeoff and could reach Mach 3 at an altitude of 23 km, with a range of 6.900 km. For the time, this was something from another world!
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Surfing a shockwave
What made the XB-70 Valkyrie supersonic bomber so special was its ability to “surf” its own shockwave. Up to Mach 0,9, the wingtips operated at 0°. When it reached Mach 1,4, they doubled to 25°, and from there, until Mach 3, they were at 65°. This maneuver increased lift by 30%, allowing for more efficient flight.
By folding the wingtips, the XB-70 created a high-pressure zone that increased lift. This allowed it to fly with a lower angle of attack, reducing drag. This advanced technology made the Valkyrie a true pioneer in supersonic aviation.
The legacy of the XB-70 Valkyrie
Unfortunately, only two prototypes of the XB-70 Valkyrie were built, with the third being cancelled. In 1966, one of the prototypes was destroyed in an accident. Despite this, the Valkyrie's design left a important legacy for aviation. Its ability to use shock waves to increase lift influenced the development of hypersonic missiles and other advanced technologies.
Today, the “Wave Rider” concept, used by the Valkyrie, is back with hypersonic missiles like the Boeing X-51 and the Brazilian 14-X. Even though the XB-70 Valkyrie supersonic bomber project has been terminated, its impact on engineering and aviation continues to be felt.
The XB-70 Valkyrie was not just a plane, but a revolution in the skies. He showed what was possible with the technology of the time and paved the way for future innovations in aviation.
