In September 1964, the US Air Force’s XB-70 Valkyrie took its first flight, marking the beginning of the golden era for supersonic aircraft. This experimental aircraft was born out of a competition between Boeing and North American Aviation, ultimately being selected by the US Air Force in 1957 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 XB-70 Valkyrie’s innovative 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. The aircraft could reach speeds of 3,218 km/h, nearly 50% faster than Concorde. Despite its advanced design and 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 the early end of the aircraft’s operational life.
The legacy of the XB-70 Valkyrie lives on in the advancements it brought to supersonic flight technology and the inspiration it provided for future aircraft designs. Its innovative design became a symbol of supersonic flight and influenced future supersonic passenger planes like Concorde and Tupolev Tu-144. The XB-70 Valkyrie served as an inspiration for later civil supersonic aircraft like Concorde and Tupolev Tu-144.