The XB-70 Valkyrie aircraft was a US Air Force experimental bomber that served as an inspiration for later civil supersonic aircraft. It reached speeds of 3,218 km/h and became a symbol of supersonic flight. The XB-70 first flew in September 1964 and marked the beginning of the golden era for supersonic aircraft.
The XB-70 Valkyrie was born out of a competition between Boeing and North American Aviation in 1957, with the US Air Force ultimately selecting it to develop a bomber capable of carrying weapons at high speeds and altitudes. However, political changes and the emergence of ballistic missiles led to a shift in the program towards high-speed flight research. The aircraft’s design, featuring triangular wings and unique folding wingtips for reducing drag at supersonic speeds, influenced the development of future supersonic passenger planes like Concorde and Tupolev Tu-144.
Despite its advanced design potential for a passenger transport version, the XB-70 program was cut short by a tragic accident in 1966 when two Valkyrie aircraft collided during a photo shoot, resulting in fatalities and ending its operational life early. However, the legacy of the XB-70 Valkyrie lives on through its contributions to supersonic flight technology advancements and its inspiration for future aircraft designs.
