The North American XB-70 Valkyrie, a Cold War-era bomber, was a technological marvel designed to fly at Mach 3 and at 70,000 feet, circumventing Soviet air defenses through speed and altitude.

The XB-70 Valkyrie could hit Mach 3 — but it never went into full-scale production. ... 1966, while conducting high-speed flight research, the XB-70 collided with NASA's F-104N chase plane, ...

Photo: NASA. At first glance, the Valkyrie doesn't seem to be a plane developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s. ... That makes the remaining XB-70 Valkyrie one of a kind.

XB-70 Valkyrie: An experimental supersonic aircraft, the XB-70 took to the skies five years before Concorde. NASA/Divds Super fast: The XB-70 was capable of flying at just over 2,000 miles per ...

The first NASA XB-70 flight occurred on April 25, 1967, the last one was on Feb. 4, 1969 when the aircraft made a subsonic structural dynamics test and ferry flight from Edwards AFB to Wright ...

The XB-70 Valkyrie epitomizes early Cold War aviation. It was a wild design that pushed the limits of performance and technology. But despite its speed, it couldn't keep up with the times.

The experimental legacy of the iconic XB-70 Valkyrie, which made its first flight on Sept. 21, 1964. An article published on the U.S. Air Force website ...

The XB-70 shed a part of its leading edge when the aircraft returned to flight, and the first prototype was then limited to just Mach 2.5. The second aircraft was cleared to fly at Mach 3.

XB-70 pilot Al White was able to eject, but he sustained serious injuries. The XB-70’s co-pilot Carl Cross and NASA’s Chief Test Pilot Joe Walker (F-104 pilot) were both killed.

XB-70 Valkyrie: An experimental supersonic aircraft, the XB-70 took to the skies five years before Concorde. NASA/Divds Super fast: The XB-70 was capable of flying at just over 2,000 miles per ...

The XB-70 Valkyrie, the most advanced American bomber of its era, made its maiden flight in clear blue skies over the Mojave Desert. Skip to content. All Sections. Subscribe Now. 80°F.